Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
At the close of trade on the second day of the three-day Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, 403 yearlings sold to this point, compared to 377 after two days last year. The clearance rate of 84% is up on 77% at this time last year.
The aggregate of $39,315,000 is up on 2025’s aggregate of $36,238,000 and also up from 2024’s aggregate of $38,626,000.
The average at the end of Day 2 stood at $97,556, almost the same as in 2025 which sat at $97,153, and similar to 2024’s average of $97,295. The median at the end of Day 2 settled at $80,000, which has remained unchanged at this point for four years in succession.
The day was topped by Lot 462, a full brother to $1.2 million earner Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}), who sold for $540,000.
The leading buyer by gross at the end of Day 2 is Lees Racing and Bahen Bloodstock who took their total spend to $805,000 across a total of four individual lots so far.
Arrowfield Stud lead the vendors list by aggregate selling 26 yearlings over the first two days for a total of $3.17 million. On average (with two or more sold), Kirks Bridge Farm have made a strong start to their classic account, with Day 2's sale topper lifting their average to $220,000 for their three to sell.
In a repeat of last year, Hellbent leads the stallions by gross, accumulating a gross of $1.8 million from his 15 lots to sell. By average (two or more sold), Extreme Choice leads the Day 2 averages at $262,500.
Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch was thrilled with the rise in both the gross and clearance rate.
“The clearance rate is the most pleasing aspect so far. To be at 84% for the sale at this point is excellent, particularly in the context of it having been 77% at the equivalent stage 12 months ago, during what was a good sale,’’ Hutch said.
“We set ourselves the objective of working to facilitate the best market that we possibly could and it has been very pleasing to see so many vendors achieve excellent results to this point of the sale.
“Tomorrow again presents some fantastic opportunities, so I’m hopeful things will continue along a similar trajectory as the first two days of the sale.’’
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
Return to colts as the focal point
Day 1’s top 10 lots were fairly evenly gender balanced - six colts and four fillies - though fillies accounted for three of the top five. By Day 2, Classic swung back to its familiar colt lean: eight of the top 10 were colts, and every one of the top five.
Last year at the end of Day 2, the colts averaged $104,842 while fillies were averaging $85,462. This year, the split is tighter with the 237 colts sold over the first two days averaging $102,409 and the 164 fillies sold, averaging $90,908.
Even with the colt bias, Day 1’s filly results have shown up in an increased average for the same position this year, lifting from $85,462 to $90,908, while the colts have dropped slightly year on year, relatively.
Day 1 was stronger at the very top end with the colts pushing Day 1’s fillies down the overall chart, so now colts take up eight of the top 10 lots over the two days. And of particular note, the top 10 colts sold over the first two days are all by different sires.
First buy for NBA champion Parker
Bloodstock agent Arthur Hoyeau was active on Day 2, purchasing three yearlings to go with the two purchased on Day 1. Of note, two of the fillies will be part-owned by NBA Champion Tony Parker.
“This is the first time he’s bought horses in Australia,” said Hoyeau.
Parker was inducted into the National Basketball Association’s Hall of Fame in 2023, but it was in 2022 that he gained his biggest win on the track when Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) won the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas).
Why France? Parker was born in Belgium and grew up in France, and is a dual French and USA citizen. His Infinity Nine syndicate also raced Ramatuelle (USA) (Justify {USA}) who won the 2024 G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret.
Lot 45 - Jacquinot x Gossip Queen filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Chris and Corey Munce will train them, as we’ve had a good association with the stable. The two fillies, Lot 45 and Lot 407, will be raced by Infinity Nine in the same colours that Tony uses in France. I have a close association with Tony (in France) and we’ve been buying a few yearlings each year. He never takes a huge part in each one, he likes to be part of a team, and his racing manager Clement Tropres is a good friend of mine.”
Day 1 purchase Lot 45 is a Jacquinot filly, sold by Widden Stud for $100,000, and she is the fourth foal of unraced Not A Single Doubt mare Gossip Queen. Her first foal is the winner Gossip Torque (Capitalist) and she has unraced 3-year-old gelding Kol (Deep Field). Gossip Queen is the half-sister of WA sire I’m All The Talk.
“It’s a simple plan. They are two beautiful fillies who are both athletic, sharp types who look early. They have good angles and are quite mature and they caught my eye.”
“It’s a simple plan. They are two beautiful fillies (Lot 45 and 407) who are both athletic, sharp types who look early. They have good angles and are quite mature and they caught my eye.” - Arthur Hoyeau
Day 2’s purchase, Lot 407, is a Portland Sky filly sold by Redbank North for $110,000. She’s the fourth foal of winning Lonhro mare Shahdaroba, who is from the family of Group 1 winners Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel) and Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock).
Lot 407 - Portland Sky x Shahdaroba filly | Image supplied
“Tony has recently bought a farm in Normandy. He’s quite a successful entrepreneur who is keen on racing. He’s always been a competitor and racing probably helps him find that same winning feeling again.”
Parker's farm is called Domaine de Quietieville.
History repeats as Bott buys filly from former teacher
What started as a routine day of final inspections on Day 2 at Riverside Stables ended with Adrian Bott, alongside co-trainer Gai Waterhouse and Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds, purchasing Lot 442 - a fast-looking Nicconi filly for $170,000 from the Fairview Park Stud draft.
The twist came late in the piece, during one of the final inspections, when Bott discovered that the breeder and now previous owner of the filly - out of the five-time winning Tsuimai filly Sneaky Tsu, who has already left the dual Listed winner Joyful Fortune (Nicconi) - was none other than his Year 8 history teacher, Michael Turner, or Mr Turner as he was known to Bott back then.
Lot 442 - Nicconi x Sneaky Tsu filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
“I must say, it's a small world and I was shocked to find that out. I hadn’t done too much background into the breeding or the ownership as to how she came to the sale.” Bott said.
“But going through our final inspections today, I was introduced to the owner, Michael Turner, who was my History teacher at school back in Year 8. He gave me a bit of a rundown and brought me up to speed on the family and what the family had done to date.
“I’m delighted that we're able to pick her up, and it is a good result for him as well.”
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Physically, we were very attracted to her, she looks a nice, strong, mature, very forward and precocious kind of filly,” Bott said.
“He’s (Nicconi) very underrated as a sire and we've had some success with him previously. He's produced some top-class fillies, and they are early maturers, and that's what she looks to be.
“So she physically stood out as a type for us first and foremost.”
Davali’s perfect halfway point
Davali Thoroughbreds, vendors of exciting 3-year-old filly Alpha Sophie (Capitalist), finished Day 2 with a 100% clearance rate - and still have the remaining half of their draft to offer on the final day. Of their first four lots, three fillies returned standout results relative to their sires’ service fees, and their Pinatubo (Ire) colt (Lot 229) made $75,000 to Newmarket Racing in New Zealand.
Lot 229 - Pinatubo (Ire) x Mystical Tale colt | Image courtesy of Inglis
“There's been a great atmosphere here. There's been plenty of foot traffic which is great and there's been some nice competition with the bidding in the ring. Our three fillies who went through the ring are all homebreds and they've all sold really well,” said Alison Hush of Davali Thoroughbreds.
“There's been a great atmosphere here. There's been plenty of foot traffic which is great and there's been some nice competition with the bidding in the ring.” - Alison Hush
Of their fillies, Lot 355 by Hellbent sold on Day 2 for $200,000 off a $38,500 fee, while on Day 1 Lot 59 by Exceedance made $160,000 off a $33,000 fee, and the Zousain filly, Lot 167, made $140,000 off a $22,000 fee.
TTR talked to Hush about the full sister to Lot 59 born this spring for a Foal Focus. She’s a half-sister to exciting G3 Breeders' Plate-placed and Golden Gift winner Revengeance (Hellbent) out of Havasu (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
“If we like what we see, and we think there’s a proven horse with a bit of value, then yes, we do go back. Havasu has gone to Hellbent this year, which will give us a full to Revengeance. Marielle went to Cosmic Force this year.” Marielle (Lonhro) is the dam of Lot 167, and it’s a lovely family as Marielle is a half-sister to Champion Sire I Am Invincible.
The Hellbent filly, Lot 355 was bought by Matt Smith Racing, and she’s out of Listed Stutt Stakes winner Rock Dove (Epaulette) who is a half-sister to stakes winners Kiwi Skyhawk (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and Midland (Brazen Beau). “We have supported Hellbent every year, breeding Revengeance and a few other nice ones.”
Lot 355 - Hellbent x Rock Dove filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
As well as Revengeance, Davali bred and sold fellow Hellbent winning 3-year-old filly My Bella Vista and winning mare Empusa.
“We can't afford those massive first season fees. We look for a proven horse with a bit of value. If we're liking the types and buyers have supported them first season and sometimes in their second season, then we're quite happy to take the punt at a reasonable value.
“We can't afford those massive first season fees. We look for a proven horse with a bit of value.” - Alison Hush
“Quite often the best value are those second and third season sires, so we find something that we like that we can jump on board and be on the right leg. We don't always get it right but when you do get it right, you are well rewarded.”
David and Alison Hush | Image courtesy of Davali Thoroughbreds
200K Daumier colt attracts Hong Kong interest
First season sire and G1 Blue Diamond winner Daumier celebrated his top priced yearling so far when Lot 354 sold for $200,000 on Day 2. Offered by Twin Hills Stud, who stand his sire for $16,500 inc GST, the colt heads to N Lee of Hong Kong.
Lot 354 - Daumier x Rochelle colt | Image courtesy of Inglis
“A lovely strong horse who showed himself very well at the sale. He’s the highest priced yearling so far for Daumier who was a Blue Diamond winner. The first crop of a Blue Diamond winner should be sought after,” said Twin Hills Stud’s Olly Tait.
“If you're in the game in Australia, your stallions need to have exposure up there in Hong Kong and it’s nice to have a horse like him going there from his first crop. I’m not sure what he does now, whether he goes there direct or stays here for a while.
“We've got three more to sell tomorrow, two colts and a filly, and they're lovely horses. We're very excited about Daumier. It’s very exciting for any stud to stand a Blue Diamond winner, and hopefully in 12 months time, he’ll be even hotter.”
Olly Tait | Image courtesy of Twin Hills Stud
Lot 354 is the second foal of unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Rochelle whose first foal is 3-year-old gelding Oops I Peltzed (Peltzer) who raced twice at two. It’s a pedigree on the move with Rochelle being a half-sister to 3-year-old filly Live (Zoustar) who ran second in this season’s G3 Red Anchor Stakes at her second start. Live and Rochelle are out of R. Listed Inglis Banner Stakes-placed Donelle (Not A Single Doubt).
Top Lots
| 462 | Harry Angel (IRE) | Sretan | Ch. | Colt | Kirks Bridge Farm, Baerami | Equine Growth Fund Pty Ltd | $540,000 |
| 285 | Castelvecchio | Panzerfaust | B. or Br. | Colt | Arrowfield Stud, Scone | Ellerslie Lodge / B Heys | $390,000 |
| 395 | Zoustar | Score | B. | Colt | Silverdale Farm, Avoca | Parnham Racing | $375,000 |
| 302 | Justify (USA) | Phylicia | B. | Colt | Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford | Darby Racing / Bjorn Baker Racing/ Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) | $350,000 |
| 490 | Too Darn Hot (GB) | Sworn Evidence | B. | Colt | HP Thoroughbreds, Hilldale | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing / Kestrel Thoroughbreds / First Light Racing / Matt Houldsworth | $350,000 |
| 337 | Pierro | Real Desire | B. | Colt | HP Thoroughbreds, Hilldale | Lees Racing / Bahen Bloodstock | $325,000 |
| 503 | Star Turn | Testa Sarah | Ch. | Filly | North Bloodstock, Scone | O'Shea / Charlton Racing / James Bester Bloodstock | $300,000 |
| 508 | Brave Smash (JPN) | The Natural | B. | Colt | Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | Rohan Hughes / Grahame Begg Racing Pty Ltd | $300,000 |
| 283 | The Autumn Sun | Pandemonium | Ch. | Filly | Arrowfield Stud, Scone | Dalziel Bloodstock/ Moody Racing | $290,000 |
| 435 | Starspangledbanner | Six Senses | B. | Colt | Cannon Hayes Stud, Scone | Blake Ryan Racing | $260,000 |
Buyers by gross
| Lees Racing / Bahen Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | 805,000 | $201,250 | $200,000 |
| O'Shea / Charlton Racing / James Bester Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | 750,000 | $187,500 | $185,000 |
| Vahala Racing / SM & KB Bloodstock | WA | 5 | 700,000 | $140,000 | $140,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | HONG KONG | 5 | 625,000 | $125,000 | $130,000 |
| Darby Racing | NSW | 4 | 560,000 | $140,000 | $130,000 |
| Archibald Racing / William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | 3 | 550,000 | $183,333 | $160,000 |
| Portelli Racing | NSW | 6 | 545,000 | $90,833 | $87,500 |
| Equine Growth Fund Pty Ltd | NSW | 1 | 540,000 | $540,000 | $540,000 |
| McEvoy Racing / Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | 4 | 525,000 | $131,250 | $127,500 |
| John Thompson Racing / Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | 5 | 505,000 | $101,000 | $70,000 |
Buyers by average (2 or more bought)
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing / Kestrel Thoroughbreds / First Light Racing / Matt Houldsworth | NSW | 2 | 450,000 | $225,000 | $225,000 |
| Blake Ryan Racing | NSW | 2 | 430,000 | $215,000 | $215,000 |
| Lees Racing / Bahen Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | 805,000 | $201,250 | $200,000 |
| Byerley Bloodstock | WA | 2 | 400,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| O'Shea / Charlton Racing / James Bester Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | 750,000 | $187,500 | $185,000 |
| Archibald Racing / William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | 3 | 550,000 | $183,333 | $160,000 |
| Merrick Staunton | HONG KONG | 2 | 330,000 | $165,000 | $165,000 |
| Ohukia Lodge Limited | NEW ZEALAND | 3 | 470,000 | $156,667 | $140,000 |
| Catheryne Bruggeman/Paul Moroney Bloodstock | VIC | 2 | 300,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Vahala Racing / SM & KB Bloodstock | WA | 5 | 700,000 | $140,000 | $140,000 |
Vendors by gross
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone | 26 | 6 | 2 | $3,175,000 | $122,115 | $80,000 |
| Sledmere Stud, Scone | 19 | 4 | 4 | $2,345,000 | $123,421 | $120,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley | 31 | 0 | 5 | $2,026,000 | $65,355 | $60,000 |
| Riversdale Farm, Scone | 16 | 3 | 3 | $1,610,000 | $100,625 | $80,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford | 13 | 0 | 4 | $1,495,000 | $115,000 | $60,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 13 | 4 | 6 | $1,485,000 | $114,231 | $100,000 |
| HP Thoroughbreds, Hilldale | 9 | 0 | 0 | $1,360,000 | $151,111 | $150,000 |
| Vinery Stud, Scone | 17 | 3 | 3 | $1,311,000 | $77,118 | $70,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | 11 | 1 | 4 | $1,255,000 | $114,091 | $100,000 |
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen | 11 | 0 | 0 | $1,095,000 | $99,545 | $65,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Kirks Bridge Farm, Baerami | 3 | 4 | 0 | $660,000 | $220,000 | $80,000 |
| Cannon Hayes Stud, Scone | 3 | 1 | 2 | $485,000 | $161,667 | $160,000 |
| HP Thoroughbreds, Hilldale | 9 | 0 | 0 | $1,360,000 | $151,111 | $150,000 |
| Davali Thoroughbreds, Luskintyre | 4 | 0 | 2 | $575,000 | $143,750 | $150,000 |
| Woburn Farm, Ohaupo, NZ | 2 | 0 | 0 | $280,000 | $140,000 | $140,000 |
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca | 4 | 0 | 2 | $551,000 | $137,750 | $70,000 |
| Torryburn Stud, Torryburn | 4 | 1 | 1 | $540,000 | $135,000 | $135,000 |
| Monarch Stud, Muswellbrook | 3 | 1 | 0 | $380,000 | $126,667 | $50,000 |
| Sledmere Stud, Scone | 19 | 4 | 4 | $2,345,000 | $123,421 | $120,000 |
| Riverstone Lodge, Blandford | 6 | 1 | 1 | $735,000 | $122,500 | $60,000 |
Sires by gross
| Hellbent | 15 | 1 | 1 | $1,845,000 | $123,000 | $100,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 8 | 1 | 1 | $1,480,000 | $185,000 | $175,000 |
| Home Affairs | 10 | 0 | 4 | $1,440,000 | $144,000 | $160,000 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 7 | 2 | 1 | $1,330,000 | $190,000 | $170,000 |
| Harry Angel (IRE) | 7 | 1 | 1 | $1,200,000 | $171,429 | $100,000 |
| Stay Inside | 10 | 0 | 5 | $1,140,000 | $114,000 | $95,000 |
| Castelvecchio | 9 | 0 | 2 | $1,085,000 | $120,556 | $100,000 |
| Jacquinot | 11 | 1 | 2 | $1,035,000 | $94,091 | $95,000 |
| Starspangledbanner | 8 | 0 | 1 | $1,010,000 | $126,250 | $110,000 |
| Capitalist | 12 | 1 | 3 | $946,000 | $78,833 | $80,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Extreme Choice | 2 | 0 | 0 | $525,000 | $262,500 | $262,500 |
| Zoustar | 2 | 0 | 0 | $485,000 | $242,500 | $242,500 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 7 | 2 | 1 | $1,330,000 | $190,000 | $170,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 8 | 1 | 1 | $1,480,000 | $185,000 | $175,000 |
| Harry Angel (IRE) | 7 | 1 | 1 | $1,200,000 | $171,429 | $100,000 |
| Street Boss (USA) | 3 | 0 | 0 | $480,000 | $160,000 | $180,000 |
| Home Affairs | 10 | 0 | 4 | $1,440,000 | $144,000 | $160,000 |
| Pierro | 5 | 1 | 0 | $685,000 | $137,000 | $80,000 |
| Starspangledbanner | 8 | 0 | 1 | $1,010,000 | $126,250 | $110,000 |
| Kermadec (NZ) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $250,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 |
