It takes a bit to shock Newhaven Park's John Kelly, but a "totally unexpected'' result saw their Star Witness filly top Day 3 of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
While lot 475 (ex Madam Nash) was popular with buyers pre-sale, Kelly was "over the moon'' when the filly reached $350,000, selling to Orbis Bloodstock.
It was the highlight lot on another solid day's trade, which has seen the overall sale clearance settle at 82%, with an average of $77,909 with one day of Book 1 remaining.
"Fillies have sold very well at this sale overall and while I suppose I wasn't expecting that to be the case necessarily, we're thrilled with the level the Star Witness filly got to especially,'' Kelly said.
"It was totally unexpected but that's what happens at a horse sale when you get two people who really love a horse.
"She was popular and we thought she'd sell well but that was way beyond what anyone expected.''
The filly (pictured) will remain in Australia and be trained by Kim Waugh who Orbis – the Hong Kong-based company – gave today's leading purchases to.
"It's great that Orbis Bloodstock are here supporting the Australian market and supporting Kim Waugh, it's a great opportunity for her and we're sure the filly will get a great opportunity there,'' Kelly said.
Orbis' representative Paul King described lot 475 as the filly of the sale.
"I had three or four good looks at her and loved the way she looked and behaved each time,'' King said.
"I didn't really think I would need to go to $350,000 to get her but I was still happy to do so.''
At the conclusion of Day 3, Orbis is the leading buyer at the sale, having purchased 11 individual lots for $1,590,000.
"The fillies we've bought will obviously stay here and not all the colts will head to Hong Kong to be honest,'' King said.
"If they show enough we'll leave them here and race them in Australia, while the ones we think are suitable for Hong Kong, we have clients that will purchase them and they'll shift there.''
Today's top lot for Star Witness sees the Widden stallion feature in two of the top three lots for the sale overall, including the sale topper to date from Noogee Park.
"He's that sort of stallion. The market realises there is a premium for proven stallions and he's a gun proven stallion,'' Widden's Antony Thompson said.
"I think the buyers here just love the types he gets so that's why we've seen them sell so well.''
Today's equal-second top lot was a Dissident x Keep Me Warm colt from Sledmere Stud, which George Moore purchased for $280,000.
"He was the star of our show all the way through, we knew that all along,'' Sledmere's Roy Murphy said.
"George was very keen on this horse from day one. He told us early it was one of the nicest horses he'd seen at the complex this week.
"He's probably the busiest colt I've ever had at a Classic sale.''
To view our Inglis TV story on former Group 1-winning jockey turned breeder Scott Seamer, who has had two horses sell through the ring this sale,CLICK HERE.
To view our Facebook Live end of day review,CLICK HERE.
Lots 581-808 have been catalogued for Day 4 of the sale, which begins at 10am tomorrow at Riverside Stables.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
Day 4 will again be broadcast live on the Inglis website and Facebook page, plus Online Bidding and Make An Offer services will again be available.
To enquire on a Passed In lot, contact Matt Scown on 0481 989 661
The Highway Session (Book 2) begins 10am Thursday, for which 205 horses have been catalogued.
All Highway Session horses are now at Riverside and available for inspection.
To view all statistics from the Classic Sale to date,CLICK HERE.
STATISTICS
Lots sold:436
Clearance Rate:82%
Average Price:$77,909
Median Price:$55,000
Top Price:$400,000
Gross:$33,968,500
