The strength of the Inglis Digital market was again to the fore today as talented 3YO Ringmaster (Zoustar) became the equal-third most expensive racehorse ever sold on the platform.
Offered by Newgate Farm and partners, the Michael Freedman-trained Ringmaster will next race in Hong Kong after selling to Mrs CF Lee, a client of Inglis’ Hong Kong representative Alan Ho, for $435,000.
Only Ranch Hand ($600,000) and Coastwatch ($500,000) have sold for more in the racehorses section of the Inglis Digital Platform.
“We had interest privately to sell him into Hong Kong but Inglis had made it clear to us that they were keen to build this premium Hong Kong segment of this digital marketplace and we were happy to support them and have been ultimately very well rewarded for that decision,’’ Newgate’s Henry Field said.
“We made a commitment to the Inglis team to put forward a nice proper Hong Kong-style horse onto the platform when one came up and Ringmaster was the perfect horse to put forward and it was great to see him make such a really strong price.
“We’re delighted with the transaction. From a selling point of view today, [Inglis Digital is] so easy, straight forward and transparent and from a buyers’ perspective, it gives every buyer a fair chance to see what’s for sale and everything they need to know before they decide if they want to try and buy it or not.
“The customer service from Inglis right the way through the selling process was so comprehensive, I’m sure everybody knew this horse was in the sale.’’
Ho confirmed Ringmaster would travel to Hong Kong “in the near future’’ before more decisions were made on his immediate racing future.
“My client is yet to decide on a trainer, we are still in discussions there but he’s a lovely horse who I’m sure will be a success up here in Hong Kong,’’ Ho said.
“He’s an exciting acquisition and we’re thrilled to get him.
“The Hong Kong owners will go where ever there are good horses to buy and there are always good horses on Inglis Digital, every sale. As Michael Freedman said, this horse was unlucky to get some wet tracks in the spring which hurt his chances but on firm tracks in Hong Kong, I expect he will be very popular.’’
Ringmaster was one of three lots to realise $200,000 or more in the Inglis Digital January (Late) Sale, joined by Bollinger Rose ($285,000) and Bohemian Daisy ($235,000), while a further three lots sold for $100,000 or more.
There have now been 117 lots sell for $200,000 or more on the Inglis Digital platform - and 333 lots for $100,000 or more – since 2018.
The Annabel Neasham-offered Bohemian Daisy was purchased by Widden Stud and partners.
She will be retired immediately and join the Widden broodmare band, with a stallion to be decided upon in coming weeks.
“She’s very easy to breed with and she’s got good juvenile speed which we believe to be important,’’ Widden’s Matt Comerford said.
“We spoke to Annabel about her and she was very helpful with her thoughts. She’s a quality filly and had plenty of racing ability as was shown with her Group 3 placing on debut and we have absolute confidence she’s going to make a beautiful broodmare.
“We love Inglis Digital, it’s the easiest online platform by a mile to deal with both as a buyer and a seller. You can do it all from home, it’s just so easy and reliable.’’
Neasham added: “This is a great result for the connections, we’re delighted with the outcome.
“I’m a huge fan of Inglis Digital, its ingrained within the industry now as the primary platform for online sales in the Southern Hemisphere and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger.’’
The long list of strong results took the Inglis Digital January (Late) Sale gross to $3,354,850.
Entries for the February (Early) Sale are now open and will remain so until next Wednesday, February 1.
Already confirmed for the sale is the John O’Shea-trained, Stakes-winning 4YO Bend The Knee (Snitzel).
To enter, CLICK HERE.