The HTBA Scone Yearling Sale entered uncharted territory today as three horses sold for $100,000 or more for the first time in its history.
On a solid day of trade, two fillies and a colt each reached six figures, highlighting the strength of the top end of the market.
Southern Cross Breeders scooped the pool on the vendor front today, leading by aggregate ($227,000) and average for three or more horses sold ($56,750) and supplying the day's top Lot, a Wandjina x Galleries filly which sold for $110,000 (Lot 20).
The other yearlings to sell for six figures were Lot 173, a Nicconi x Brookton Flare filly offered by Holbrook Thoroughbreds which sold for $105,000 and Lot 171, a Deep Field x Bouzy Rouge colt from the draft of Retreat Farm which made $100,000.
Southern Cross Breeders was one of 30 vendors who enjoyed a 100% clearance rate for the day (selling all four of their offerings) including Widden Stud (11 from 11), Sledmere Stud (8 from 8) Fernrigg Farm (7 from 7) and Edinglassie Stud (6 from 6).
Senga Bissett from Southern Cross said all four fillies the farm presented exceeded market expectations.
"We had four lovely strong fillies with no issues who we hoped would be popular and sell well but they did all exceed our expectations,'' Bissett said.
"My staff did an excellent job and worked really hard to make sure each of the yearlings were presented really well.''
Of the day's top Lot, Bissett said: "We knew she was a nice filly and we knew she would sell well but we didn't genuinely believe she would sell as well as she did.
"She was popular at inspections but she behaved beautifully all the way along and has such a beautiful temperament.''
At the end of Day 1 of the sale, the average sat at $16,601 with a median of $10,000, clearance rate of 82% and gross of $2,639,500.
Leading buyer was Laming Racing, buying five horses for $130,000.
Glenn and Cody Morgan also bought five horses.
Nicconi topped the sire stats, with all three of his progeny selling for a total of $195,000.
Inglis' General Manager of Bloodstock Jonathan D'Arcy was pleased with the day's proceedings.
"The top end of the market was very good and to sell three horses for $100,000 or more was a great result for our vendors,'' D'Arcy said.
"Throughout the year we've seen the market being selective in the middle-to-lower end and that was similar today.
"The well-presented yearlings with commercial pedigrees exceeded their reserves on many occasions and the clearance rate of 82% was a fair indication that the majority of breeders were prepared to meet the market.''
Action at White Park continues tomorrow with a further 90 Lots in the HTBA Scone Yearling Sale, followed by the Scone Weanling & Thoroughbred Sale, for which a further 62 Lots have been catalogued.
Selling starts at 11am.
To view the Yearling Sale catalogue,CLICK HERE.
To view the Weanling & Thoroughbred catalogue,CLICK HERE.
2018 HTBA SCONE YEARLING SALE STATISTICS
Lots Sold:159
Clearance Rate:82%
Average Price:$16,601
Median Price:$10,000
Top Price:$110,000
Gross:$2,639,500
