At A Glance
The gross amount for the 2023 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale was $1,848,200, significantly down from the $3,528,250 recorded in 2022.
The top price was $200,000 achieved by Lot 119 a colt by Blue Point (Ire) from the Strategic mare On The Loose. Higher than the 2022 top result of $150,000 achieved by Lot 223, a Frosted (USA) filly.
The clearance rate as of 6.30pm AEST was 72 per cent from 123 sold. The 2022 sale concluded with 178 yearlings sold with a clearance rate 84 per cent.
The average for the 2023 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale was $15,026; down from the 2022 figure of $19,822. While the median sat at $8000 at close of session, down from the 2022 median of $11,000.
Blue Point colt catches Leek Jr's eye
A Blue Point (Ire) colt offered by Supreme Thoroughbreds became the equal second-highest priced horse ever sold at an Inglis Gold Yearling Sale, topping Sunday’s action at Oaklands.
Trainer John Leek Jr described the yearling as “the nicest horse I’ve seen in a long, long, long time, and I’ve been training for 40 years’’ so wasn’t perturbed to go to $200,000 to secure Lot 119, a Blue Point x On The Loose (Strategic) colt.
Lot 119 is the 12th foal from the Strategic mare On The Loose. She was a three-time winner.
Lot 119 - Blue Point (Ire) x On The Loose (colt) - $200,000 | Image courtesy of Inglis
At stud On The Loose has produced the Group 3-placed Wazzenme (Wanted) and the Listed-placed Free Of Doubt (Not A Single Doubt).
The price matched the $200,000 that Robbie Griffiths, Mathew de Kock, Peter Ford and Heywood Bloodstock paid for a Headwater filly from Blue Gum Farm at the sale two years ago, with only an Extreme Choice filly which Bon Ho bought for $260,000 from Supreme Thoroughbreds at that same 2021 sale realising a higher price.
While Leek Jr was thrilled to take home the colt on Sunday, he was initially at Oaklands trying to purchase him for his son Mitchell, who has only been training in his own right for a couple of months.
John Leek Jr and son Mitchell Leek | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“But Mitchell only had $100,000 and thought he might be able to get the horse for that price so when the price kept climbing, I was just so taken by the horse that I wanted to buy him to make sure he could stay in the family training circles,’’ Leek Jr said.
“I’ve had a lot of good horses over the years, some handy juveniles that have been cheaper purchases and I’ve never paid anything like this for a horse.
“But that said, I’ve not seen a horse as nice as this for a long, long, long time, if ever. He’s got a lot going for him, he’s just an absolute standout.
“I’ve had a lot of good horses over the years, some handy juveniles that have been cheaper purchases and I’ve never paid anything like this for a horse. But that said, I’ve not seen a horse as nice as this (Lot 119) for a long, long, long time, if ever. He’s got a lot going for him, he’s just an absolute standout.’’ - John Leek Jr
“He’s totally magnificent, not only very well bred but just a phenomenal horse all round.
“I thought the $100,000 that Mitchell could afford was a fair price for him but what can I say? You’ve got to pay a premium for something if it’s worth it, and this colt is absolutely worth it.’’
Supreme Thoroughbreds' Neil Shaw was as delighted as he was stunned by the result.
“To be honest, we had his service fee of $40,000 as the reserve and while we thought he would make a bit more than that, it’s really quite phenomenal that he’s sold for $200,000 today,’’ Shaw said.
Neil and Sue Shaw with Adrienne and Brent Grayling, co-owners of Supreme Thoroughbreds
“We were thinking he could make $60,000-$80,000, we certainly didn’t anticipate him ending where he did, that’s for sure.
“I reckon there were eight or nine different bidders on him in the ring and we never try to pick the last bid when it comes to reserves, but we’re delighted.
“We brought six here and sold all six so we’re really happy.’’
“We were thinking he (Lot 119) could make $60,000-$80,000, we certainly didn’t anticipate him ending where he did, that’s for sure... We brought six here and sold all six so we’re really happy.’’ - Neil Shaw
The colt ensured Supreme Thoroughbreds ended the sale as leading vendor and – for the third consecutive year – saw them consign the top lot at the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale.
Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price was grateful of the support of both buyers and vendors at 2023's sale.
“There were some excellent results throughout the day, the Blue Point colt in particular,’’ Price said.
“We have had over 90 individual listed buyers, with more looking to get involved on passed in lots, which has helped move the clearance rate past 72 per cent.
“The market, as expected, was very selective and there wasn’t the urgency of demand amongst buyers outside of what were deemed to be the better horses which was disappointing, but just a reality of the market.
“The Inglis bloodstock team is available for consultation on any of the passed in lots and our expectation is that the clearance rate will continue to climb overnight and into tomorrow.’’
Top Lots
Lot 16 - Ilovethiscity x Black Booty, filly - $80,000
Greg Eurell went to $80,000 to purchase brown filly by Ilovethiscity from the Commands mare Black Booty.
The filly was offered by Blue Gum Farm, she is the fourth foal from Black Booty who won five races and at stud has produced the three-time winner The Hass (Ajaya {GB}).
Lot 16 - Ilovethiscity x Black Booty (filly) - $80,000 | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, the filly hails from the family of Patezza (Rubition) who won the G1 Doncaster H.
Lot 167 - Grunt (NZ) x Starstripe, colt - $70,000
Merton Creek Thoroughbreds offered a son of the Yulong Stud-based Grunt (NZ) from the Starcraft (NZ) mare Starstripe.
The colt was purchased by G Loader for $70,000. Starstripe was a dual winner and has produced three foals to date. She is a daughter of the Listed-placed Our Tigress (Tiger Hill {Ire}).
Lot 167 - Grunt (NZ) x Starstripe (colt) - $70,000 | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, the colt hails from the family of Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who won the G1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot in addition to being placed in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.
Lot 124 - Kermadec (NZ) x Patina, colt - $65,000
Riverina Downs offered a colt by the Darley Stud-based Kermadec (NZ), who was purchased by Fliedners Racing for $65,000.
Lot 124 is the ninth foal from the Anabaa (USA) mare Patina. She was a three-time winner at 1000 metres. Patina is a half-sister to Jerezana (Lonhro) who has produced the outstanding gallopers Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}) and Zapateo (Brazen Beau).
Lot 124 - Kermadec (NZ) x Patina (colt) - $65,000 | Image courtesy of Inglis
Patina is the dam of the Godolphin-raced Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) who was a winner of nine races including the G2 Roman Consul S. the G3 Bletchingly S. and the Listed Heritage S. and the Listed-placed St Edward’s Crown (Epaulette).
Top Buyers
| J Leek Jnr | 2 | $212,000 | $106,000 | $200,000 |
| G Eurell | 2 | $110,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 |
| ART Racing | 3 | $70,000 | $23,333 | $35,000 |
| G Loader | 1 | $70,000 | $70,000 | $70,000 |
| Fliedners Racing | 1 | $65,000 | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Ballymore Stables (Aust) Pty Ltd | 2 | $51,500 | $25,750 | $50,000 |
| I Millard | 1 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Shane Nichols Racing | 1 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Basham Thoroughbreds | 2 | $48,000 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Supreme Thoroughbreds, Romsey | 6 | $284,000 | $47,333 | $200,000 |
| Blue Gum Farm, Euroa | 7 | $203,500 | $29,071 | $80,000 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 14 | $197,500 | $14,107 | $30,000 |
| Bucklee Farm, Greta West | 15 | $186,200 | $12,413 | $30,000 |
| Riverina Downs, Tarcutta, NSW | 5 | $128,000 | $25,600 | $65,000 |
| Merton Creek Thoroughbreds, Merton | 6 | $110,500 | $18,417 | $70,000 |
| Collingrove Stud, Murchison | 7 | $69,500 | $9,929 | $36,000 |
| Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, Eddington | 2 | $68,000 | $34,000 | $42,000 |
| Oakford Thoroughbred Farm, Maldon | 5 | $63,000 | $12,600 | $30,000 |
| Yarran Thoroughbreds, Seymour | 5 | $62,000 | $12,400 | $35,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Blue Point | 2 | $206,000 | $103,000 | $200,000 |
| Vino Rosso | 2 | $156,500 | $13,042 | $21,000 |
| Alabama Express | 6 | $110,000 | $18,333 | $50,000 |
| Lean Mean Machine | 1 | $103,000 | $20,600 | $70,000 |
| Ilovethiscity | 1 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Shamus Award | 3 | $71,000 | $23,667 | $50,000 |
| Kermadec | 1 | $65,000 | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Rubick | 2 | $60,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Press Statement | 1 | $59,500 | $19,833 | $25,000 |
| Territories | 2 | $56,000 | $28,000 | $30,000 |
| Strasbourg | 1 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
