Records were broken and tears were flowing as a day of boisterous trade ensured the 2020 Inglis Ready2Race Sale was the most successful ever held.
On a day that exceeded all expectations:
*The two highest-priced lots both set a new benchmark for an Inglis Ready2Race Sale, with the $610,000 for lot 162 (Deep Field x Wind Shift) colt and the $550,000 for lot 35 (Capitalist x Lady Sniper) gelding both exceeding the previous record of $540,000 set in 2015
*The top five lots were purchased by Asian or Victorian-based clients who were unable to be at Riverside for the sale or the inspections due to border closures and travel restrictions
*All primary key financial indicators enjoyed a significant year-on-year rise with the average ($101,571, up 25%), median (75,000, up 25%) and gross (a record $10,766,500, up 34%) all increasing markedly
*36 lots sold for $100,000 or more (a 38% year-on-year increase), 12 lots sold for $200,000 or more (33% increase) and 6 sold for $300,000 or more (a 50% rise).
The day’s top lot, offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds as agent for Regal Farm, sold to Macau Jockey Club and Louis Ho, with David Hayes, for $610,000.
“Shane (Crawford) and Kara (Waters) from Regal Farm, along with Brett and Cherry from Trelawney, they sent the draft across to us in outstanding order. They do a great job and it’s just really good to get good results for good people who have been supporters of us for a long time, so I’m stoked for them,” Lime Country’s Greg Griffin said.
“It’s been quite surreal really, due to the Covid restrictions and travel restrictions, it’s been odd having horses that you know are going to sell well but aren’t parading anywhere near as much as they would ordinarily. You’ve got to be guided by opinions of friends in the industry, by the sales company, by registrations and that sort of thing. Inglis has done a good job to get buyers online and involved.
“I also think work that vendors and the sales company has done to get more promotional material out there, even something as simple as the height and weight was a good innovation for the sale.’’
David Hayes added: “We’re ecstatic to secure the colt. Louis Ho from the Macau Jockey Club was instrumental in purchasing the horse. The horse will now go to Lindsay Park in Euroa to let down and a further decision will be made on his future in coming weeks after a short spell.
“We just loved him. He’s a particularly sharp looking horse with great balance who breezed up well.
“He’s another good product by the sire and we’re thrilled to be taking him home.’’
The colt was originally a $230,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase for Regal Farm, Upper Bloodstock and Teng Long from Canning Downs’ draft.
The day’s second-top lot was also a huge pinhook result, with the Capitalist x Lady Sniper gelding from the Glenn Haven Thoroughbreds draft selling for $550,000 to Bon Ho, who celebrated success with Classique Legend in The Everest on Saturday.
The horse’s previous owners – Mitchell Bloodstock and partners – purchased him at the Classic Sale for $170,000.
Bon Ho said the horse would stay in Australia and be trained by Vella.
“I have a lot of respect for Matt as a horseman, he’s very capable and I look forward to this horse showing us all how good we think he is,’’ Ho said.
“I have a few Capitalists myself and they are all promising types. I think this stallion is going to be very successful so I was very happy to be able to add another one to my stable.’’
Vella was stunned by Ho’s generosity, saying he hoped to repay him within six months by targeting the $2m Inglis Millennium with the 2YO.
“I’m thrilled to be able to train this horse and I’m very grateful to Mr Ho for the support he’s given me. He’s bought himself a nice horse. It just shows you can find nice horses at these sales,’’ Vella said.
“He’s on an Inglis Millennium prep, that’s the race to target.
“All the good horses I’ve broken in, including Slipper winners, they were all like this bloke, very forward and very strong.
“He’s been in the paddock since the breeze ups, he’s ready to go into work, eight weeks off a trial and then go from there. Everything will be aimed toward the Millennium.’’
The top two results capped off a successful sale for Lime Country and Glenn Haven, who topped the averages at $236,000 and $165,000 respectively.
Ohukia Lodge was best by aggregate, grossing $1,477,500 from 14 lots sold.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster was thrilled with the day’s results.
“To see so many vendors enjoy some huge results – the top 10 lots were shared between eight different vendors – was extremely satisfying in what has been a challenging year for everybody,’’ Webster said.
“These are far from ideal conditions for the conduct of a sale, particularly with the border restrictions but we worked hard with our vendors to ensure the catalogue received extensive promotion and that an unprecedented amount of information was available to buyers.
“It is then very rewarding to get feedback from both vendors and buyers alike that the flood of information gave them confidence heading into today.
“I’d also like to thank the buyers who supported the sale. We’ve had buyers from all across Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, a vast array of areas and it’s so satisfying to see more people embrace this 2YO sale.’’
To make an offer on any of today’s passed in lots, contact Will Stott on 0408 126 952.
Inglis Release
