Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
A ninth millionaire mare was confirmed overnight following the conclusion of the Chairman’s Sale as Lot 16, Graceful Girl (Nicconi), was bought by Widden Stud for $1.1 million from Bob Peters' dispersal via Holbrook Thoroughbreds.
As the Broodmare Sale closed, total receipts across this week’s three breeding sales were up 18 per cent on last year.
At the close of trade, 106 mares had sold for a total of $7,957,000, at a clearance rate of 74 per cent. From a slightly larger catalogue, last year the clearance rate was 79 per cent and the total reached $8,668,000, though post-sale trade is likely to continue.
The average of $75,066 was up on last year’s $64,687, and the median climbed too from $45,000 to $55,000 this year.
Seven mares sold for $200,000 or more on Friday, headed by the $400,000 paid by John Chalmers Bloodstock Services (FBAA) for Candyland (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), an unraced sister to Werther (NZ), the multiple champion in Hong Kong, and G1 Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue (NZ).
Buying under the aliases of Team Pierata, Tagaloa Syndicate and Alabama Express Syndicate on Friday, Yulong spent a combined $1.575 million on a total of 10 mares, with Team Pierata’s $1,005,000 spend alone putting them as leading buyers.
Segenhoe Stud were the sale’s leading vendors, selling 16 mares for a total of $1,351,500.
Market growth gives Inglis healthy ending
With 28 fewer mares catalogued this year than last, the Inglis Bloodstock CEO, Sebastian Hutch, admitted that the smaller numbers may have helped the metrics on their way to year-on-year improvement, but nonetheless pointed to many salubrious factors at play this week.
“Very pleased with how it’s gone,” he summed up. “I think the sale last night (Thursday) sets the tone for today and that reminds everybody that there’s good health in the market for quality bloodstock…
“I think the sale last night (Thursday) sets the tone for today and that reminds everybody that there’s good health in the market for quality bloodstock…” - Sebastian Hutch
“This sale is important to us because it’s a different sort of market at the Chairman’s and obviously we want to consolidate critical mass across the broodmare market as much as we can, and there are mares that were offered today that could have been well-placed at the Chairman’s sale.
“It felt good throughout the day… Obviously, Mr Zhang was a very significant buyer again, but he didn’t buy the top lot and there was plenty of competition across the board.”
Sousa’s turnaround
After Diamond (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) was bought at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale by Roger Sousa’s Platinum Breeding and Racing and Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) for $380,000, her in-utero So You Think (NZ) filly was foaled down at Middlebrook Valley Lodge and sold at the recent Inglis Australian Weanling Sale for $200,000.
Lot 205 - Diamond (NZ) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Having been covered last breeding season by Newgate Farm’s Russian Revolution, Friday saw a profitable conclusion for Sousa’s year-long venture with the daughter of Fastnet Rock as she sold to Yulong’s Tagaloa Syndicate for $400,000. Out of Stray (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), a half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner Maldivian (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Diamond is also from the family of Kiwi Group 1 winner Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
“It’s all about placing mares at the right sale,” said Middlebrook’s Verna Metcalfe. “We could have put her in the Chairman’s but I think she sold better in this sale than she would have last night (Thursday) because she really stood out in this catalogue and that was the strategy.
“She’s got a nice pedigree and those are the sort of mares that people look for in a sale like this. She was very busy during the week with inspections as a result.
Verna Metcalfe | Image courtesy of Inglis
“I’m really happy with this sale. I love the sale because it’s the right time of the year and it’s not too far from home.’’
Yulong adds 10
It’s not the first time Yulong has bought into the same family, having purchased Entriviere last September for NZ$900,000 via Gavelhouse Plus.
“She (Lot 205) is a lovely physical and she comes from a family with a lot of fillies in there. We obviously got Entriviere, and she’s in foal to Written Tycoon,” Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said.
“This year we’ll send her (Lot 205) to Tagaloa, physically she suits him really well so it’ll be a good mating on physical type and also on pedigree.”
“This year we’ll send her (Lot 205) to Tagaloa, physically she suits him really well so it’ll be a good mating on physical type and also on pedigree.” - Sam Fairgray
Buying under the aliases of Team Pierata, Tagaloa Syndicate and Alabama Express Syndicate on Friday, Yulong spent a combined $1.575 million on a total of 10 mares. Whilst Diamond was their most expensive purchase of the day, they also spent $230,000 on Lot 309, the So You Think (NZ) mare Thoughtfilly.
Out of the Group 3 winner Queen Of The Hill (Danehill {USA}), Thoughtfilly is unraced and was sold in foal by Newgate to their own Wild Ruler.
Lot 309 - Thoughtfilly | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We are really happy with the mares we were able to secure. We got beaten on a few but we’re still very happy with the ones we were able to come away with,” said Fairgray.
“Some fantastic race mares and some great physicals, so to be able to add them to our broodmare crew is fantastic.
“Mr Zhang is very happy. He’s building a really, really high-class broodmare team and we look forward to getting them in foal and to offering the progeny in years to come.
“We are really happy with the mares we were able to secure. Mr Zhang is very happy. He’s building a really, really high-class broodmare team and we look forward to getting them in foal and to offering the progeny in years to come.” - Sam Fairgray
As it continues to expand its broodmare band with a view to supporting its stallion roster, implicit in Yulong’s approach is that the provision of quality mares is the best path to success.
Making headlines with the capital outlay across all investment avenues, Fairgray indicated that Yulong is in the process of developing the infrastructure and systems to accommodate up to 800 mares across its operation.
“It’s just about developing the farm and getting the infrastructure sorted to cater for that. We’re very lucky - we’ve got some fantastic staff back on the farm,” he added.
Sam Fairgray signs the docket for Lot 205 - Diamond (NZ) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Peters’ dispersal proves popular
A ninth millionaire mare was confirmed overnight following the conclusion of the Chairman’s Sale as Lot 16, Graceful Girl (Nicconi), was bought by Widden Stud for $1.1 million. A winner of the G1 Winterbottom S., she became the second mare to sell from Bob Peters’ dispersal for that price, following G1 Railway S. winner Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) who was secured on the night by Yulong.
Consigned by Holbrook Thoroughbreds, 11 further mares from the Western Australia owner/breeding behemoth went through the ring on Friday and, electing to sell only ‘dry mares with no issues’, the collective yielded total receipts just $5000 shy of $1.1 million.
Lot 16 - Graceful Girl | Image courtesy of Inglis
The most expensive of those was the last, Lot 251. Knocked down to John Chalmers Bloodstock Services (FBAA) for $440,000, Candyland (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is unraced herself but is a sister to Werther (NZ), the multiple champion in Hong Kong, and G1 Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue (NZ).
Accompanying his grandfather on his first visit to the Chairman’s Sale this year, and increasingly involved in the Peters’ Investment operation, is grandson Liam Peters.
“We are very proud of her (to make) that money and her pedigree is amazing, being related to Werther and a lot of other stakes winners, so it’s a very deep pedigree.
Lot 251 - Candyland (NZ) | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We are very happy to get Graceful Girl’s deal done and she’s been sold to Widden Stud. I wish them all the best with her and I am sure she’ll have some beautiful foals.”
Although often involved in purchasing horses for Peters Investments, the docket signature of John Chalmers does not allude to a buy-back. Instead, Chalmers revealed that he was acting for a group of young investors beginning their journey in breeding and added that a stallion has yet to be selected for the mare.
“They wanted to get into breeding at a reasonable level and I thought it was the ideal opportunity for them,” Chalmers said.
Bob and Liam Peters | Image courtesy of Inglis
Laurel Oak line one up for State Of Rest
Another mare that’s now changed hands twice in the last year or so is Estoril Park (Pride Of Dubai). Consigned as Lot 211, she was bought by Fernrigg Farm and Jimmy Unwala’s Avesta Bloodstock for $40,000 at last year’s Inglis Great Southern Broodmare Sale and was reoffered amongst Fernrigg’s draft on Friday.
In foal to Coolmore’s St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), her maiden cover, she sold to Louis Mihalyka’s Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA). Accompanied by his diligent bloodstock executive Lowri Allen, the pair arrived at Riverside with just one mare on their list, and parted with $220,000 to bring her home.
Lot 211 - Estoril Park | Image courtesy of Inglis
Using their proprietary mating analysis software, they highlighted the mare as a particularly suitable match for a number of stallions in which Laurel Oak hold interests and Mihalyka revealed that it’s Newgate Farm’s freshman State Of Rest (Ire) who’s first-up for their latest acquisition.
“We think that she’s got a nice future,” he told TDN AusNZ. “We particularly like the stallion St Mark’s Basilica… Siyouni seems to fit better than many others that come out here because he’s had some successful runners here and now I think his sons will blend in as well.
“St Mark’s Basilica could be the best European racehorse to come here for some time. Without going back through all of them, he was just an absolutely top-class horse.
“We think that she’s (Lot 211) got a nice future. We particularly like the stallion St Mark’s Basilica… St Mark’s Basilica could be the best European racehorse to come here (Australia) for some time.” - Louis Mihalyka
Explaining that Laurel Oak’s broad client base keeps many avenues open with a purchase such as this, Mihalyka said that no decision has yet been made on the foal’s fate.
“...the beauty of our system is that, if we’ve got one that’s sellable, we can test the market and if it doesn’t reach reserve or we decide we want to keep it we’ve got a network of owners to race it.”
Top lots
| 251 | Candyland | Tavistock | Bagalollies | N/A | Holbrook Thoroughbreds | John Chalmers Bloodstock Services (FBAA) WA | $440,000 |
| 205 | Diamond | Fastnet Rock | Stray | Russian Revolution | Middlebrook Valley Lodge | Tagaloa Syndicate VIC | $400,000 |
| 212 | Fadetta | Rock Hard Ten | Light Jig | Stay Inside | Willow Park Stud | Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) NSW | $230,000 |
| 241 | Ideal Image | More Than Ready | Reflected Image | N/A | Holbrook Thoroughbreds | Ultra Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd VIC | $230,000 |
| 309 | Thoughtfully | So You Think | Queen Of The Hill | Wild Ruler | Newgate Consignment | Team Pierata VIC | $230,000 |
| 211 | Estoril Park | Pride Of Dubai | Straveen | St Mark's Basilica | Fernrigg Farm | Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) NSW | $220,000 |
| 335 | Angharad | Exceed And Excel | Swansea | Farnan | Kia Ora Stud | Yarramalong Park QLD | $220,000 |
| 260 | Ol' Dollor | Written Tycoon | Lady Lakshmi | Stay Inside | Newgate Consignment | Team Pierata VIC | $180,000 |
| 307 | The Deepest Secret | Deep Field | Secrets Sleeping | Russian Revolution | Willow Park Stud | Trilogy Racing Pty Ltd NSW | $170,000 |
| 348 | Californiasilencer | I Am Invincible | Silently | N/A | Segenhoe Stud | Team Pierata VIC | $170,000 |
Top buyers
| Team Pierata | 7 | $1,005,000 | $143,571 | $230,000 |
| Tagaloa Syndicate | 2 | $520,000 | $260,000 | $400,000 |
| John Chalmers Bloodstock Services (FBAA) | 1 | $440,000 | $440,000 | $440,000 |
| Kingstar Farm | 7 | $425,000 | $60,714 | $140,000 |
| Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) | 3 | $425,000 | $141,667 | $230,000 |
| Trilogy Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $385,000 | $128,333 | $170,000 |
| Ultra Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd | 2 | $330,000 | $165,000 | $230,000 |
| Yarramalong Park | 2 | $246,000 | $123,000 | $220,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 2 | $240,000 | $120,000 | $155,000 |
| Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $220,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Fastnet Rock | 11 | $1,072,000 | $97,455 | $400,000 |
| Redoute's Choice | 8 | $507,000 | $63,375 | $150,000 |
| Tavistock | 2 | $464,000 | $232,000 | $440,000 |
| More Than Ready | 3 | $415,000 | $138,333 | $230,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 5 | $385,000 | $77,000 | $220,000 |
| Pride Of Dubai | 4 | $383,000 | $95,750 | $220,000 |
| All Too Hard | 4 | $295,000 | $73,750 | $155,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 2 | $280,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 |
| Snitzel | 4 | $265,000 | $66,250 | $100,000 |
| Commands | 2 | $260,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Tavistock | 2 | $232,000 | $464,000 | $440,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 2 | $140,000 | $280,000 | $180,000 |
| More Than Ready | 3 | $138,333 | $415,000 | $230,000 |
| Commands | 2 | $130,000 | $260,000 | $160,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 2 | $120,000 | $240,000 | $170,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 11 | $97,455 | $1,072,000 | $400,000 |
| Pride Of Dubai | 4 | $95,750 | $383,000 | $220,000 |
| Pierro | 3 | $78,333 | $235,000 | $120,000 |
| Smart Missile | 2 | $77,500 | $155,000 | $95,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 5 | $77,000 | $385,000 | $220,000 |
Covering sire by average (2 or more sold)
| Stay Inside | 4 | $171,250 | $685,000 | $230,000 |
| Saxon Warrior | 2 | $170,000 | $340,000 | $230,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 6 | $147,833 | $887,000 | $400,000 |
| Home Affairs | 2 | $120,000 | $240,000 | $130,000 |
| Wild Ruler | 5 | $119,000 | $595,000 | $230,000 |
| Bivouac | 2 | $111,000 | $222,000 | $170,000 |
| Farnan | 7 | $102,000 | $717,500 | $220,000 |
| St Mark's Basilica | 4 | $96,250 | $385,000 | $220,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 3 | $86,000 | $260,000 | $150,000 |
| Pierata | 2 | $75,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone | 16 | $1,351,500 | $84,469 | $170,000 |
| Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Scone | 15 | $1,286,500 | $85,767 | $440,000 |
| Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen | 10 | $1,106,000 | $110,600 | $230,000 |
| Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | 7 | $945,000 | $135,000 | $400,000 |
| Willow Park Stud, Scone | 9 | $769,000 | $85,444 | $230,000 |
| Kia Ora Stud, Scone | 9 | $663,000 | $73,667 | $220,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | 15 | $484,500 | $32,300 | $80,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | 7 | $405,000 | $57,857 | $150,000 |
| Fernrigg Farm, Denman | 1 | $220,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley | 2 | $205,000 | $102,500 | $105,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | 7 | $135,000 | $945,000 | $400,000 |
| Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen | 10 | $110,600 | $1,106,000 | $230,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley | 2 | $102,500 | $205,000 | $105,000 |
| Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Scone | 15 | $85,767 | $1,286,500 | $440,000 |
| Willow Park Stud, Scone | 9 | $85,444 | $769,000 | $230,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone | 16 | $84,469 | $1,351,500 | $170,000 |
| Kia Ora Stud, Scone | 9 | $73,667 | $663,000 | $220,000 |
| Torryburn Stud, Torryburn | 2 | $70,000 | $140,000 | $110,000 |
| Bell River Thoroughbreds, Glen William | 2 | $63,000 | $126,000 | $100,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | 7 | $57,857 | $405,000 | $150,000 |
