Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
The clearance rate improved to 77% from 71% last year, and the aggregate increased to $30.7 million, ahead of $26.18 million in 2025 and $26.1 million in 2024. 195 horses sold this year compared to 179 in 2025.
The average lifted to $157,590 from $146,240 last year, while the median lifted in $130,000 compared to $100,000 last year.
The top Lot on Day 1 was Lot 238, a filly by Zoustar who was sold by Two Bays Farm to Chris Waller Racing, Mulcaster Bloodstock, Group One Bloodstock and Ozzie Kheir for $850,000.
The top buyers on Day 1 were Lindsay Park Racing and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) who spent $1.46 million across six lots.
The top vendors on Day 1 were Widden Stud who led by aggregate, selling 13 yearlings for $1.84 million. By average (two or more sold), Mill Park Stud ended Day 1 on a $392,500 average on two yearlings.
Toronado (Ire) leads the stallions table by gross with $3 million from 15 lots sold, while Zoustar topped the averages at $483,333 across three lots sold.
#1. Penfold Thoroughbreds start strong
In racing, the term 'second-up syndrome' is often thrown around, and Hannah Penfold may well have had that in the back of her mind heading into the 2026 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. After all, Penfold Thoroughbreds’ debut yearling sale last year was an outstanding success, the question was could she repeat?
Her draft last year achieved a remarkable 100% clearance rate from 10 lots offered, highlighted by a Mehmas (Ire) colt that sold for $420,000 to Dominic Sutton, McKeever Bloodstock and Byron Rogers.
Penfold Thoroughbreds made another strong statement on Day 1 this year, selling a Ghaiyyath (Ire) filly for $300,000 to Grahame Begg Racing, followed by a Toronado (Ire) filly for $200,000 to Henry Dwyer Racing only a matter of minutes later.
Lot 118 - Toronado (Ire) x Il Diamante filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It is mind blowing. I've got some really good clients there that have really looked after me and sending me some good horses, and with it only being my second year selling, these are the kind of results that people can only dream of,” Penfold said.
“With it only being my second year selling, these are the kind of results that people can only dream of.” - Hannah Penfold
“Last year we had a great result selling a colt for $425,000, so this is fabulous to back it up. I really am quite speechless.”
Hannah Penfold | Image courtesy of Inglis
When asked about the importance of backing up last year’s big result, Penfold emphasised the value of strong client relationships.
“I can't complain, can I! It’s all down to the clients, though. They're the ones that need to make the good choices and provide the stock.”
Lot 116 - Ghaiyyath (Ire) x I'm Wicked filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
Speaking about the Ghaiyyath filly, Penfold said, “From the second she arrived off the truck, she took my breath away. She's a strong individual. She's a November foal, but you wouldn't pick it. Her attitude has been second to none. She has been really well raised by Greg and Wendy Barber, and she's just been so straightforward.
“From the second she (Lot 116) arrived off the truck, she took my breath away. She's a strong individual.” - Hannah Penfold
“It’s a great way to start the sale, and I'm hopeful we will do well in the next couple of days, but it’s a sale - you never know what is going to happen.”
The warm glow of his son Observer's G1 Australian Guineas victory on Saturday contributed to Ghaiyyath's progeny being in hot demand, pushing him into the top five sires both for average and gross on the first day of selling.
| Toronado (IRE) | 15 | 5 | $3,045,000 | $203,000 | $410,000 |
| Home Affairs | 7 | 0 | $1,530,000 | $218,571 | $360,000 |
| Zoustar | 3 | 1 | $1,450,000 | $483,333 | $850,000 |
| Ghaiyyath (IRE) | 5 | 0 | $1,430,000 | $286,000 | $520,000 |
| Anamoe | 5 | 3 | $1,160,000 | $232,000 | $320,000 |
| Alabama Express | 7 | 3 | $1,135,000 | $162,143 | $340,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 3 | 0 | $990,000 | $330,000 | $380,000 |
| Shamus Award | 7 | 3 | $930,000 | $132,857 | $260,000 |
| Justify (USA) | 5 | 3 | $900,000 | $180,000 | $300,000 |
| Dundeel (NZ) | 4 | 4 | $830,000 | $207,500 | $350,000 |
Table: Top sires by gross
| Zoustar | 3 | 1 | $1,450,000 | $483,333 | $850,000 |
| Frankel (GB) | 2 | 0 | $735,000 | $367,500 | $375,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 3 | 0 | $990,000 | $330,000 | $380,000 |
| Ghaiyyath (IRE) | 5 | 0 | $1,430,000 | $286,000 | $520,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 2 | 1 | $555,000 | $277,500 | $280,000 |
| Street Boss (USA) | 2 | 0 | $540,000 | $270,000 | $340,000 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 2 | 0 | $500,000 | $250,000 | $260,000 |
| Anamoe | 5 | 3 | $1,160,000 | $232,000 | $320,000 |
| Home Affairs | 7 | 0 | $1,530,000 | $218,571 | $360,000 |
| Wootton Bassett (GB) | 3 | 1 | $640,000 | $213,333 | $260,000 |
Table: Top sires by average (2 or more sold)
#2. En Aval keeps on delivering for the Widden boys
The Widden boys struck again with their mare En Aval (Toorak Toff) early on Sunday at Oaklands, when Lot 34 - an Anders colt out of their mare sold to Cumani Racing for $200,000. It marked an excellent return on a $16,500 inc GST advertised service fee at the time, from a mare who was modestly purchased.
It continues what has been an unbelievable run for En Aval. Purchased by Widden Stud on behalf of Stud Manager Ben Walsh, Nominations Manager Matt Comerford, Yearling Manager Liam Attwood, Financial Manager Andrew Swales and former team member Jarrod Robinson for just $9500 via the 2021 Magic Millions Online Sale.
Lot 34 - Anders x En Aval colt | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has proven a marvel in the sales ring. She also produced this season’s impressive $3 million R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Unit Five (Supido).
Her first foal, now named Ulfberht (Anders) who has shown promise at the jump-outs for trainer Robbie Griffiths was bought for $300,000 by Griffiths de Kock Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Unit Five was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $80,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and Sunday’s result only added further momentum to her record.
“Yeah, he's an interesting one for me. Obviously, we've done very well with Anders and we have Single Choice who is the best performing Anders so far. But he is a different type. I'll concede that,” the colt's purchaser Matt Cumani commented.
“This one's much more like his sire. But I loved his walk. He's got the most beautiful, powerful walk. And I'm told that's exactly how Anders is himself and I think this one looks like a reasonably fast, reasonably precocious horse, so hopefully he's one we can get to a reasonably early result with.
“This one's (Lot 34) much more like his sire. But I loved his walk. He's got the most beautiful, powerful walk.” - Matt Cumanni
“It's a great family, I think, and it's one that's not only very good under the third dam, but it's also active now. I hope that Unit Five will go on and do bigger and better things as well and our boy can follow him behind.”
Matt Cumani | Image courtesy of Inglis
Widden Stud's Matt Comerford was very pleased with another great result from a mare that keeps on giving.
“She's been a pretty wonderful mare, the sales she's had, and obviously Unit Five,” Comerford said.
“It’s been a great story for all the boys involved at the farm. The first foal made a lot of money, this bloke has done well, and then in between you have Unit Five who the boys have all stayed involved in.
“It’s been a great story for all the boys involved at the farm. The first foal made a lot of money, this bloke has done well.” - Matt Comerford
“So I'm thrilled for everyone, and he’s going to a really good home, and Matt Cumani has had a bit of success with Anders, so it has all made sense.”
Unit Five | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The colt boasts a strong pedigree as the third foal out of En Aval, a winning half-sister to the dam of juvenile stakes winner Bellazaine (Zousain), and he hails from the family of Widden Stud Victoria's sire Doubtland, and the Group 2 winner Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt), herself the dam of Group 3-winning filly and multiple Group 1-placed My Gladiola (I Am Invincible).
En Aval currently has a filly foal at foot by Exceedance and missed to Schwarz last spring, which gives the Widden team plenty of options as they look to secure an early cover for her in the upcoming spring.
Lot 34 was one of 13 yearlings sold by Widden Stud on the opening day of the sale, helping them achieve the position of leading vendor by gross with $1.84 million in sales.
| Widden Stud, Riddells Creek | 13 | 4 | $1,840,000 | $141,538 | $120,000 |
| Two Bays Farm, Flinders | 6 | 1 | $1,730,000 | $288,333 | $195,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie | 12 | 11 | $1,690,000 | $140,833 | $100,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 7 | 0 | $1,530,000 | $218,571 | $250,000 |
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 8 | 1 | $1,370,000 | $171,250 | $140,000 |
| Blue Gum Farm, Euroa | 10 | 4 | $1,305,000 | $130,500 | $125,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 7 | 2 | $1,280,000 | $182,857 | $150,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 9 | 1 | $1,130,000 | $125,556 | $120,000 |
| Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW | 7 | 1 | $1,125,000 | $160,714 | $120,000 |
| Bell River Thoroughbreds, Glen William, NSW | 3 | 0 | $1,005,000 | $335,000 | $350,000 |
Table: Top vendors by gross
#3. Hawthorne doubles down on the High Chaparral line
Dean Hawthorne had his eye firmly on Lot 128 - a classy-looking Dundeel (NZ) colt out of the dual Group 3-winning mare Irithea (Snitzel), he was prepared to go to $350,000 on behalf of Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock and Pinecliff Racing banner.
The colt also boasts an international pedigree, being related to Japanese Group 1 winners and stallions Saturnalia (Jpn) and Epiphaneia (Jpn), further enhancing his appeal.
The purchase came on the back of a sensational first-up victory by Getta Good Feeling (So You Think {NZ}) in Saturday’s $1 million Inglis Sprint at Flemington, adding further momentum to the team’s week.
“We paid a bit of money for some nice fillies at Easter that year, and one of them was Getta Good Feeling, and we've got some really good ones. I think we've got three stakes winners out of that, so a bunch of good fillies and a good colt with Napoleonic,” Hawthorne commented.
“So that has been a good sale for us, but we are very happy with this colt at Premier out of Irithea, who was a wonderful mare herself, for $350,000.
Dean Hawthorne | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It’s about our fourth sale of the year now, and both our GSA vet, Dave McKellar, and I thought he was probably the nicest colt we have seen this year.
“We have had a great run with Super Seth and obviously he has been in the headlines recently. We have had success with Dundeel and So You Think, and also in Castelvecchio as a shareholder, so we are very keen to continue to follow that line.
“Jonathan (Munz) likes the cross very much. It's one we've actually done with our matings. He is a real athlete that looks like he can run, and we are very happy to get him and keep investing in horses from the sireline of High Chaparral.”
#4. Team Gelagotis go back to the well with Alabama Express
It’s not every day you train a winner earlier at Sale, only to then back it up by purchasing another colt by the same stallion, Alabama Express, but thats what the Gelagotis team achieved on Sunday.
On this occasion, it was the talented Wetumpka who the stable have a big opinion of - he got the job done on a wet track at Sale, following a really solid run for eighth in the G3 CS Hayes Stakes at his last start. Shortly after, Gelagotis Racing, in partnership with James Bester Bloodstock, paid $300,000 for Lot 167 - a forward, strong looking colt by Alabama Express, from the Yulong draft.
The maiden win and the purchasing of the colt by an exciting stallion who has already produced five stakes winners, including the four-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment, and the classy New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass could be considered as very unique.
“We’ve got a lovely horse called Wetumpka, and he just broke his maiden today at Sale. He ran terrifically well in the CS Hayes Stakes, and we've got a big opinion on him. The breed is going really, really well,” said Manny Gelagotis.
“The colt we purchased is a beautiful colt, with a lot of substance and strength. He’s a great type, and Yulong have had a lot of success over the last 12 months with their horses. We’ve purchased some lovely horses from them and are happy to continue doing business with them.
“The colt (Lot 167) we purchased is a beautiful colt, with a lot of substance and strength. He’s a great type, and Yulong have had a lot of success over the last 12 months.” - Manny Gelagotis
“I was just saying to the team today that he’ll go straight to the breakers. He’s a lovely, forward colt, strong, and the type of horse we can do a bit of work with without knocking him around.
“I loved his attitude, and he’s got a pedigree behind him. The vet reports were also really good.”
Manny Gelagotis | Image courtesy of Peter Gelagotis Racing
When asked about future plans for their recent maiden winner, “Wetumpka will now head to the VOBIS Mile race at Caulfield.
“I think returning to a solid race will help bring him on again. He’s got his maiden win now, and we really rate him,” Gelagotis added.
#5. New record price for Doubtland yearling
Widden Victoria resident Doubtland, the multiple Group-winning son of Not A Single Doubt, reached a new level at the Oaklands sales complex on Sunday morning as lunchtime approached, when a colt offered by Gilgai Farm was knocked down for $320,000 to the bid of X Bloodstock.
Lot 87’s dam Granada Star (Starcraft {NZ}) is out of prolific producer Dashing Granada (Keltrice), making Granada Star a full sister to Listed-winning Celebrity Girl, dam of G1 Robert Sangster Stakes victress Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt). The colt is a half-brother to stakes-performed filly Bubion (All Too Hard), who was second in the Listed Debutant Stakes and fourth in the R. Listed Inglis 2YO Banner last season.
Having just completed his fifth season at stud, Doubtland saw his previous top-priced colt secured in his first crop when Widden sold his son out of six-time winner La Chica Bella (Host {Chi}) for $220,000 to St Simon Thoroughbreds and Hawkes Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Doubtland chalked up his 17th career winner in February with 3-year-old gelding Mr Independent winning at Pakenham for Julius Sandhu. The previous weekend, his 3-year-old daughter Celibate became his first stakes performer when landing third in the Listed Desirable Stakes for trainer Matthew Williams.
There are four lots still to sell by Doubtland at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, two of which will be offered by Gilgai Farm. Rick Jamieson has described Doubtland on Gilgai Farm's social media as being 'A stallion that is actually genetic dynamite."
Both fillies, Lot 724 is out of G3 Ethereal Stakes-placed Star Of Eden (Wandjina) and Lot 805 are from the immediate family of Vinery Stud stallion Headwater.
#6. Metrics improve again in 2026
At the conclusion of Day 1 the sale average sits at $157,590 with a median of $130,000 and gross of $30,730,000 – all significantly improved year-on-year figures.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was delighted with how the day played out.
“That was the best renewal yet of ‘Sunday Funday’ at Oaklands,” Hutch said. “It was extraordinarily busy here. There were cars as far as the eye could see in the carpark, the auditorium was packed, the lawns outside were filled with families and kids and the atmosphere was fantastic.
“That was the best renewal yet of ‘Sunday Funday’ at Oaklands.” - Sebastian Hutch
“It is one of the most enjoyable sale days of the year and the results are very positive.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We felt that the success of the sale last year gave us good momentum in consolidating this catalogue through the spring and the feedback from buyers in the lead-up was very encouraging in terms of their perception of the horses here.
“We felt that the success of the sale last year gave us good momentum... and the feedback from buyers in the lead-up was very encouraging.” - Sebastian Hutch
“The market is not easy and the margin for error for vendors and breeders is small, but the appetite for nice horses that vetted well felt particularly strong today and it’s always the sign of a good sale when buyers are going home frustrated at not having bought what they wanted, which seems to be the case for many today.
“There is another nice group of horses to offer tomorrow and we are looking forward to what will hopefully be another good day.”
Top Lots
| 238 | Filly | Zoustar | Nudge | Two Bays Farm | Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / Group One Bloodstock / Ozzie Kheir, NSW | $850,000 |
| 19 | Colt | Ghaiyyath (IRE) | Dom Perion | Stonehouse Thoroughbreds | Lindsay Park Racing / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ), VIC | $520,000 |
| 125 | Colt | Toronado (IRE) | Inishmore | Mill Park Stud | X Bloodstock , VIC | $410,000 |
| 256 | Filly | Extreme Choice | Pecans | Newgate Farm | O'Shea-Charlton Racing / James Bester Bloodstock, NSW | $380,000 |
| 139 | Colt | Toronado (IRE) | Justice Glory | Bell River Thoroughbreds | Lucky Owners Pty Ltd, HONG KONG | $375,000 |
| 279 | Filly | Frankel (GB) | Quantum Mechanic | Mill Park Stud | Shane McGrath Bloodstock / Clinton McDonald Racing, VIC | $375,000 |
| 33 | Colt | Frankel (GB) | Emro (USA) | Newgate Farm | Vahala Racing / SM & KB Bloodstock, WA | $360,000 |
| 53 | Colt | Starspangledbanner | Federosa (NZ) | Coolmore Stud | Golden River Investments / Cody Mo, HONG KONG | $360,000 |
| 147 | Colt | Harry Angel (IRE) | Kibibi | Willow Grove Stud | Hong Kong Jockey Club, HONG KONG | $360,000 |
| 225 | Filly | Home Affairs | Mywayorthehighway (NZ) | Northmore Thoroughbreds, Murchison North | Sutton Racing / B Rogers, VIC | $360,000 |
Buyers by gross
| Lindsay Park Racing / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) | 6 | $1,460,000 | $243,333 | $520,000 |
| MG Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd | 4 | $1,030,000 | $257,500 | $350,000 |
| Shane McGrath Bloodstock / Clinton McDonald Racing | 5 | $965,000 | $193,000 | $375,000 |
| Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / Group One Bloodstock / Ozzie Kheir | 1 | $850,000 | $850,000 | $850,000 |
| Mulberry Racing | 3 | $800,000 | $266,667 | $280,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 6 | $785,000 | $130,833 | $240,000 |
| Vahala Racing / SM & KB Bloodstock | 4 | $740,000 | $185,000 | $360,000 |
| X Bloodstock | 2 | $730,000 | $365,000 | $410,000 |
| Liam Howley Racing Pty Ltd | 4 | $700,000 | $175,000 | $280,000 |
| Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $640,000 | $320,000 | $340,000 |
Buyers by average (2 or more bought)
| X Bloodstock | 2 | $730,000 | $365,000 | $410,000 |
| Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $640,000 | $320,000 | $340,000 |
| O'Shea-Charlton Racing / James Bester Bloodstock | 2 | $560,000 | $280,000 | $380,000 |
| Mulberry Racing | 3 | $800,000 | $266,667 | $280,000 |
| MG Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd | 4 | $1,030,000 | $257,500 | $350,000 |
| Lindsay Park Racing / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) | 6 | $1,460,000 | $243,333 | $520,000 |
| Bavcon Pty Ltd | 2 | $440,000 | $220,000 | $260,000 |
| Sutton Racing / B Rogers | 2 | $440,000 | $220,000 | $360,000 |
| Hawkes Racing | 2 | $430,000 | $215,000 | $260,000 |
| Cumani Racing | 2 | $400,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA | 2 | 0 | $785,000 | $392,500 | $410,000 | $392,500 |
| Bell River Thoroughbreds, Glen William, NSW | 3 | 0 | $1,005,000 | $335,000 | $375,000 | $350,000 |
| Two Bays Farm, Flinders | 6 | 1 | $1,730,000 | $288,333 | $850,000 | $195,000 |
| Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, Eddington | 3 | 1 | $780,000 | $260,000 | $520,000 | $220,000 |
| Penfold Thoroughbreds, Nagambie | 2 | 1 | $500,000 | $250,000 | $300,000 | $250,000 |
| Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | 2 | 0 | $450,000 | $225,000 | $360,000 | $225,000 |
| Cannon Hayes Stud, Scone, NSW | 3 | 0 | $660,000 | $220,000 | $260,000 | $260,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 7 | 0 | $1,530,000 | $218,571 | $320,000 | $250,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 3 | 0 | $640,000 | $213,333 | $260,000 | $210,000 |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 4 | 0 | $830,000 | $207,500 | $350,000 | $215,000 |
