Henley Park has developed a strong affinity with the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, and Marc and Sarah Devcich's operation is heading back to Oaklands following a solid 2024 sale and with Marc now established back in the family business.
New beginnings again, after four years at Cambridge Stud
After spending four years as General Manager at Cambridge Stud, Marc Devcich is embracing a fresh chapter, having returned just under a year ago to focus on his own business again alongside his wife, Sarah Devcich.
“It’s been a busy time, both with the yearling sales and away from them," Marc said. "I’m spending plenty of time on the agistment farm and, of course, working with all the yearlings.”
Sarah and Marc Devcich | Image courtesy of Henley Park
With a renewed focus on trading yearlings, Marc is excited about the evolving direction of their operation.
“We are looking to trade a few more yearlings now, and that side of things will continue to grow. I’m really enjoying it—it gives us the opportunity to do things a bit differently. We also have a lot more in training now, particularly fillies, which is exciting.”
Reflecting on his transition back to the company, he joked: “The biggest change? I used to boss people around—now I get bossed around!”
A well-balanced draft with something for everyone
Henley Park - based in Cambridge, New Zealand - has assembled a diverse draft for the 2025 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, featuring progeny by a range of stallions—including exciting first-season sires Sword Of State and Home Affairs, young sires making an impact such as Super Seth, Bivouac, and Brutal (NZ), and the proven class of Per Incanto (USA) and All Too Hard.
“There is a good cross-section. We have first-season sires, young sires that are showing plenty and proven sires—a bit of everything for everyone to chew the fat over,” Marc said.
“It is important to have a mix. There may be people shopping at that $50,000-$60,000 mark, but once they’re here, they may look at the entire draft, and vice versa. It gets everyone looking at the whole draft.
“It is important to have a mix. There may be people shopping at that $50,000-$60,000 mark, but once they’re here, they may look at the entire draft, and vice versa.” - Marc Devcich
“Our draft of seven has good, all-round quality—we are happy with all of them.”
Marc emphasised the significance of stallion performance in the current market:
“Stallions are so important at the moment, and buyers are very aware of how they are going. You need a bit of luck with them.
“Bivouac is doing a great job—he had Beiwacht win a Group 2 impressively last weekend, has a very good filly racing on Saturday (Cavalry Girl) and a Group 2 winner (Intention) in New Zealand. He himself trained on as an older colt, and that’s not easy to do.
“Super Seth is picking up big wins regularly, and Per Incanto just picked up another Australian Group 1 sprint last weekend.”
When we asked about what lots we should keep an eye out for, Sarah Devcich - the other half of the Henley Park team - mentioned that Lot 221 was worth looking at.
"The Home Affairs colt is a stand-out colt," she said. "He's a later foal, but he's athletic, has a massive attitude and parades consistently the same, every time. He is very nice."
Lot 221 - Home Affairs x Ishikari Bay (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sarah also commented that Lot 524 is "a really nice horse".
"He's by Per Incanto and is a quality colt," she added. "We are offering him on behalf of our good friend Sam Williams and Little Avondale, and he is a great advertisement for his sire."
Henley Park's strong track record at Premier
Henley Park has consistently performed well at the Premier Sale and is coming off a highly successful 2024 edition, achieving a 100% clearance rate with an impressive $167,000 average—well above the overall sale average of $127,632.
The farm has produced several stakes-winning graduates from a limited number of horses offered at Premier, including Embrace Me (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Table Bay (Redoute’s Choice), and Grand Chancellor (NZ) (Savabeel).
Sarah Devcich at Karaka | Image courtesy of Henley Park
“We have been coming here for about 14 years. This sale has always been good to us—both in terms of sales results and racetrack success—and we have always done this with a small team,” Marc said.
“The sale dates work well for us, and stretching out into late February to March gives our horses a little extra time, which they appreciate. It seems to work, so we keep coming back.”
Pinhook market: opportunities and challenges
When asked about the current state of the pinhooking market, Marc was clear in his belief that opportunities exist for those willing to take the right approach.
“I really want to increase the trading of weanlings through to the yearling stage. Plenty of people are doing well with pinhooks at the moment, and there’s a real opportunity there.”
He emphasised the key factors in successful pin-hooking, saying, “first of all, you need to buy a type, and then you need a bit of luck—especially with stallions. Timing is everything. The market is tough if you don’t have horses by the right sires.”
Marc Devcich | Image courtesy of Henley park
However, when things align, the rewards can be significant. “When you get it right, it can be lucrative when a quality type and an in-form stallion come together. But you have to be prepared to do the work.”
Marc also highlighted the importance of having backup plans, stating, “if you’re buying on type first and foremost, there are Plan B options—the Ready-To-Run sales, trials, or even racing, which is more attractive these days with strong prizemoney on offer.”
Sarah also went on to comment, "we don't mind a later foal when buying weanlings, especially when we target them towards Premier. That extra time they get does great things and it's a way we approach things to sometimes find value for money."
Most importantly, Marc stressed the need for planning for both success and setbacks: “You need to have plans in place for the good and bad results you will have.”
General market and health of the industry in New Zealand
When asked about the state of the sales this year, Marc was complimentary.
“The sales have held up very well, the economy has remained stable, and Magic Millions, Karaka, and Classic have all been strong.”
He acknowledged that, while there has been a slight market correction, the overall industry remains in good shape.
“Even if the market has dropped 10-15 per cent, we were on such a high for so long. The figures are still reasonably healthy.”
Despite global economic fluctuations, racing continues to thrive.
“We seem to be a bit immune, market-wise. Everything else can be crashing, but racing and sales find a way of holding their own.”
“We seem to be a bit immune, market-wise. Everything else can be crashing, but racing and sales find a way of holding their own.” - Marc Devcich
Marc also praised the Australian racing industry, calling it the envy of the world.
“The Australian racing jurisdiction is so healthy—it’s probably the envy of the rest of the world.”
He expressed optimism about New Zealand’s racing scene, crediting Entain for positive changes.
“Thankfully, the New Zealand racing industry is starting to improve. Stakes are increasing, and Entain has done an exceptionally good job.”
“Thankfully, the New Zealand racing industry is starting to improve. Stakes are increasing, and Entain has done an exceptionally good job.” - Marc Devcich
Reflecting on his decades in the industry, Marc highlighted the resilience and interdependence of Australasian racing.
“I’ve seen a lot in my 35 years in the industry. Racing always finds a way. Right now, there’s a lot of positivity in New Zealand. We need both Australia and New Zealand to remain strong because they feed so heavily into one another. They work hand in hand.”
