Book 1 of the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale concluded at Oaklands this afternoon with the day's top-two sales leaving their respective vendors with career-best results.
Orbis Bloodstock purchased both of the Day 3 leading lots, a Brazen Beau x Sistine Princess colt from Springmount for $560,000 (lot 452) and a Zoustar x Saffie Darling colt from Maluka Thoroughbreds for $500,000 (lot 425).
Both results were record prices for the respective vendors.
Book 1 ended with an average of $117,624 and an ever-increasing clearance rate of 83%.
The day's top two purchases ensured Orbis ended Book 1 as leading buyer by aggregate ($1,860,000) from three buys, while Robbie Griffiths and Peter Ford topped the overall 'lots purchased' list, taking home 11 yearlings.
"I looked at basically all the horses in the catalogue and narrowed it down to a list of four. I got three of them and I'm extremely pleased with what we're taking home,'' Orbis' Paul King said.
"The Brazen Beau today, he's got a very good brain, he's a nice and relaxed type of horse.
"I looked at him four or five times and every time I looked at him, I liked him more.
"As for the Zoustar colt, I absolutely loved him and if I had to take one of the three home, it would have been him.''
Maluka Farm's Luke Anderson can understand why.
"He's a beautiful animal,'' Anderson said.
"We thought he was a top-end colt and that's what we want to do, to buy weanlings and develop them into top-level racehorses and I truly believe this colt will be a quality racehorse.''
For Michael Flannery of Springmount, today's $560,000 Brazen Beau result was a monumental occasion for the farm.
"When you put horses in the ring, you never know what's going to happen but this is just an amazing result for everyone,'' Flannery said.
"It means a great deal, it gives you a lot of satisfaction.
"We've got a great crew at home and it's a very positive thing for all of them to see a result like this and have them be involved. There was a bit of emotion from a couple of them too which is great.''
To view our Inglis TV story on the Day 3 top lot,CLICK HERE.
Darley stallion Brazen Beau was the star sire of the sale, topping the aggregate at $4,850,000 from 17 sold while Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible topped the averages list at $301,875.
Brazen Beau ($800,000) was one of six stallions to achieve a record price for a 2019-sold yearling alongside Vancouver ($540,000), Kermadec ($540,000), Golden Horn ($425,000), Fiorente ($320,000) and Free Eagle ($250,000).
The Book 1 leading vendors were Blue Gum Farm (by aggregate with $4,120,000) and Gilgai Farm (by average at $200,321 from 14 sales).
A total of 27 vendors enjoyed a 100% clearance rate.
Inglis' Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian was thrilled with the overall results.
"From before the first lot was offered on Sunday right through until the last lot this afternoon, the atmosphere and spirited bidding at Oaklands was better than it has been for a number of years which was great to see,'' Vivian said.
"The sale was a great success and the bloodstock team will be working vigorously over the next few days especially to ensure we can sell as many passed in lots as possible to make it an even greater clearance.
"I'd like to thank all the vendors and buyers for supporting the sale. The quality of the yearlings on offer has been magnificent and with Book 2 still to finish, there are still many more quality horses for buyers to purchase.''
To enquire on a Passed In Lot from the sale so far, contact Brett Gilding from the Inglis bloodstock team on 0401 300 280.
To view the Facebook Live daily review show,CLICK HERE.
Book 2 began immediately following the conclusion of the main book and continues tomorrow, Wednesday March 6, where the final 286 yearlings are catalogued.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
PREMIER YEARLING SALE BOOK 1 STATISTICS
(2018 in brackets)
Lots sold:384 (438)
Clearance Rate:83% (86%)
Average Price:$117,624 ($116,789)
Median Price:$90,000 ($100,000)
Top Price:$800,000 ($500,000)
Gross:$45,167,500 ($51,153,500)