A new Victorian weanling record highlighted a strong Day 1 of the 2017 Melbourne Great Southern Sale at Oaklands Junction.
Steve Jostlear of Ampulla Lodge paid $310,000 forLot 204, a More Than Ready x Calming Influence colt from the Swettenham Stud draft, to take the day's top honours.
The price was the highest ever paid for a weanling in Victoria, a record Jostlear himself held when he and Ascot Farm paid $300,000 for an Exceed And Excel x Common Smytzer colt in 2015.
Today's top Lot helped the day's average to a healthy $34,116, median of $20,000 and gross of $5,083,250 from 149 Lots sold.
Jostlear described the More Than Ready youngster as "a spectacular colt, equal to if not the best I've seen at any sale anywhere this year, and I'm not just saying that.
"I stood and watched him for nearly two hours earlier today, to check on his temperament.
"He was very popular but he didn't bat an eye lid. He had every chance to spit the dummy, and probably should have at times, but he was dead set perfect.
"On top of that he had perfect X-Rays, has a great pedigree, I knew he was the one for us, that's why I opened the bidding at $200,000!''
On a strong day of action, 10 Lots made $100,000 or more for seven different stallions – Written Tycoon (3), Street Boss (2), More Than Ready, Brazen Beau, Dissident, I Am Invincible and Zoustar.
Inglis' Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian was satisfied with the opening day, despite a less than ideal clearance rate of 72%.
"The top of the market was incredibly sound, the buying bench on parade was outstanding and we received great support from a wide range of areas,'' Vivian said.
"That said, possibly some vendors' expectations exceeded what the market was prepared to pay, which led to a clearance rate that was a little disappointing, but we'll be endeavouring to negotiate as many private sales as possible for our vendors.''
Day 2 of the Great Southern Sale begins at 10am tomorrow, Monday June 19,
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
