Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance:
Clearance for the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale improved to 82% (80%), and the aggregate decreased to $3,537,500, behind 2025 ($4.4 million) but ahead of 2024 ($3 million). 150 horses sold this year compared to 198 in 2025.
The average lifted to $23,273 ($22,484), while the median lifted in 2026 to $18,000 ($15,500).
The top Lot was Lot 71, a colt by Artorius who was sold by Kingstar Farm to SP Bloodstock for $160,000.
Top Buyers: SP Bloodstock, who bought the top lot, was the sale’s top buyer by gross, spending $160,000 on one yearling. TD Aitken Bloodstock topped the averages, spending an average of $65,000 each on two yearlings.
Top Vendors: Riversdale Farm headed the vendors by aggregate, selling 16 yearlings for $471,000. By average (two or more sold), Kingstar Farm finished the sale with the top lot and clocked an average of $55,938 for eight yearlings sold.
Top Sire: Artorius led the stallions by gross with $247,000 from five lots, while Home Affairs topped the averages (2 or more sold) at $67,500 across two lots sold.
Artorius colt tops HTBA sale
Kingstar Farm offered the top lot at the 2026 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale when selling Lot 71, an Artorius colt out of three-time winner Azarose (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}), to SP Bloodstock for $160,000. The price beat last year’s top lot of $140,000 and was the fourth top lot in the sale’s history.
Azarose is a half-sister to triple Group 3 winner Artistry (Shamardal {USA}) and to Indian Flower (Husson {Arg}), dam of Listed Cyril Flower Handicap winner Flower Of War (War Chant {USA}) and multiple stakes performer Flower Of Gold (Bull Point).
SP Bloodstock’s Stefan Pardi indicated that the colt would be heading to the Inglis Ready2Run Sale later this year.
“The hype around the Inglis breeze up sale later in the year is already gaining huge momentum and it’s a sale I want to be involved in as a vendor,’’ said Pardi.
“It’s (Inglis Ready2Run Sale) a sale I want to be involved in as a vendor.” - Stefan Pardi
“There was a huge Asian and local presence last year at the sale and I think with Ka Ying Rising running in The Everest again this year just two days after the sale, there’s just going to be so many buyers at the sale and I think this colt will fit right in.
“He (Lot 71) was the best colt on the grounds this week for me, he had real presence about him, yet there’s still so much room for improvement and I think over the next six months leading into the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, he will come on even more.’’
Kingstar’s Manager Adam Cook was very pleased by the result.
“That was out of the blue, double what I thought he would make,’’ Cook said. “(We are) over the moon, $160,000, wow, that’s unbelievable really. I was almost going to put him into the Classic Sale but I’m glad I didn’t now, he had more vet hits than any of our draft and it’s a huge result.
“That was out of the blue, double what I thought he (Lot 71) would make.” - Adam Cook
“From Thursday onwards I knew we were going to have a good sale, the foot traffic was up a lot on last year’s sale, which was big in itself, so to see that translate into results is what it’s all about. We honestly couldn’t be happier.’’
Adam Cook with Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
Kingstar also sold the second top lot with Lot 130, a Home Affairs colt out of Gwader Bay (Thronum), an unraced half-sister to G2 Adelaide Cup winner Good Idea (So You Think {NZ}) and G3 Grand Prix Stakes winner Chains Of Honour (Redoute’s Choice). The family traces back to Champion 3YO Filly and dual Group 1 winner Danedri (Danehill {USA}). The colt was purchased by TD Aitken Bloodstock for $115,000.
“I thought he was a really athletic horse, balanced, and while he’ll need a bit of time, he’s from a family that has proved if you give them the time, you get the results,’’ Tyler Aitken said.
“He’s (Lot 130) from a family that has proved if you give them the time, you get the results.” - Tyler Aitken
“I paid more than I thought he’d go for, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I’ll get him home and into the system, break him in and hopefully watch him mature and develop over the next few months as we get him ready for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.’’
The combination led to Kingstar being the top vendor by average, selling eight yearlings for an average of $55,938.
| 71 | Colt | Artorius | Azarose (NZ) | Kingstar Farm | SP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty Ltd, NSW | $160,000 |
| 130 | Colt | Home Affairs | Gwader Bay | Kingstar Farm | TD Aitken Bloodstock, VIC | $115,000 |
| 202 | Colt | Anamoe | Profound Wisdom | Riversdale Farm | Byerley Bloodstock, WA | $110,000 |
| 160 | Colt | Cosmic Force | Lightning Nic | Jackson Bloodstock, Bulga | Hunter Valley Bloodstock, NSW | $90,000 |
| 214 | Filly | Sword of State | Runway Queen | Davali Thoroughbreds | Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA), NSW | $80,000 |
| 39 | Colt | In the Congo | Triple Chelsea (USA) | Newgate Farm | Irondome, NSW | $70,000 |
| 183 | Colt | Alabama Express | Nautical | Riversdale Farm | Matt Vella Racing, NSW | $70,000 |
| 194 | Colt | Hellbent | Play Suit | Vinery Stud | Patrick Kearney Racing, VIC | $65,000 |
| 158 | Colt | In the Congo | Left Reeling (NZ) | Kingstar Farm | Payne Racing Pty Ltd, NSW | $62,500 |
| 196 | Colt | Supido | Pocket Power (USA) | Vinery Stud | D Scott, NSW | $58,000 |
Table: Top lots at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale
| Kingstar Farm | 10 | 8 | 0 | $447,500 | $55,938 |
| Jackson Bloodstock | 3 | 2 | 0 | $93,000 | $46,500 |
| Newgate Farm | 8 | 5 | 0 | $183,500 | $36,700 |
| Stonehouse Thoroughbreds | 4 | 4 | 0 | $145,000 | $36,250 |
| Davali Thoroughbreds | 4 | 3 | 1 | $104,000 | $34,667 |
| Roseview Lodge | 2 | 2 | 0 | $65,000 | $32,500 |
| Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds | 5 | 5 | 0 | $153,500 | $30,700 |
| Riversdale Farm | 19 | 16 | 3 | $471,000 | $29,438 |
| Vinery Stud | 18 | 11 | 2 | $273,000 | $24,818 |
| Fernrigg Farm | 12 | 11 | 1 | $271,500 | $24,682 |
Table: Top vendors by average at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale
Forge Thoroughbreds clean sweep first year of selling
Zoe Baylis and Mitch Hamilton wrapped up their first time selling at the HTBA sale in their first season selling yearlings under their Forge Thoroughbreds banner, and have achieved the remarkable feat of 100% clearance at all three of the sales they have attended this year.
They sold three out of three yearlings in the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and achieved a top price of $110,000 for a Showtime colt out of Taste Of Honey (Dundeel {NZ}), and took a draft of nine to the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, all of whom were sold.
Their draft of five at the HTBA sale have also all sold, including a St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly who will be staying local to the Scone operation, having been bought by trainer Rod Northam for $38,000.
Lot 41 - St Mark's Basilica (Fr) x Upscale (NZ) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Originally from New Zealand, Baylis has worked at thoroughbred operations all over the world, preparing yearlings in England and America, and has been the yearling manager for Widden Stud, Bhima Thoroughbreds, and Vinery Stud before opening her own operation with partner Hamilton, who is an accomplished farrier.
“It’s been great,” said Baylis. “We have been really lucky to have a great group of clients who have been really good at meeting the market. It has been a long time coming, and it’s really cool to be finally out doing it and getting the results for the people who have been backing us.
“It has been a long time coming, and it’s really cool to be finally out doing it and getting the results for the people who have been backing us.” - Zoe Baylis
“Our property is 40 acres in Scone and we have been there about two years. Most of the first year was developing it, and then in October, I opened the doors to clients.”
Zoe Baylis | Image courtesy of Forge Thoroughbreds
The Showtime colt sold at Classic was a particular highlight for Baylis, as it was bred by Matt and Debbie Kelley, whose daughter Hannah had worked with Baylis at Vinery Stud.
“It was really cool to get that return for the Kelleys, because they bought the mare for $2000 on Inglis Digital with the colt in her belly,” Baylis said. “So it’s a dream result for them. They aren’t aiming to be huge breeders, but they are aiming to increase their operation so an early result like that is very important to them.”
Baylis will prepare a draft for the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale to round out Forge Thoroughbreds’ first season in operation.
A Profound pedigree update
The third highest priced lot in the sale was one that would have already been popular before inspections thanks to being a son of Anamoe, but Lot 202 received a series of stellar pedigree updates in the last month courtesy of half-sister Profoundly (Farnan).
Third in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic for trainer Michael Freedman, Profoundly gave the pedigree a sizable bump in early April when winning the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes. She then backed up a week later to run second in the G1 Australian Oaks to Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
The Anamoe colt, presented by Riversdale, was sold for $110,000 to the bid of Byerley Bloodstock. Out of Profound Wisdom (Al Samer), a half-sister to Santos from the family of Mutawaajid and Fat Al (Al Maher), the colt already boasted G3 Chairman’s Stakes winner Sebonack (Capitalist) as a half-brother.
“He was a big, strong colt,” said Riversdale’s Nick Hodges. “With Profoundly doing what she did, it was really good timing leading into the sale. We are very pleased with the result at this sale.”
“With Profoundly doing what she did, it was really good timing leading into the sale.” - Nick Hodges
Profound Wisdom has yet to produce a foal since the Anamoe colt, having missed twice to Stay Inside, but her options for matings this spring have gotten even brighter thanks to the efforts of Profoundly.
Riversdale finished the sale as leading vendor by aggregate, selling 16 yearlings for a total of $471,000.
Nick Hodges | Image courtesy of Inglis
“The sale has felt like it has been strong for the really nice horses, and then there has been a lot of people picking up value purchases along the way as well,” said Hodges. “It is good to see the clearance level lifting and for horses to find homes at this sale.”
| Riversdale Farm | 19 | 16 | 3 | $471,000 | $29,438 |
| Kingstar Farm | 10 | 8 | 0 | $447,500 | $55,938 |
| Widden Stud | 35 | 22 | 5 | $323,000 | $14,682 |
| Vinery Stud | 18 | 11 | 2 | $273,000 | $24,818 |
| Fernrigg Farm | 12 | 11 | 1 | $271,500 | $24,682 |
| Newgate Farm | 8 | 5 | 0 | $183,500 | $36,700 |
| Glenbeigh Farm | 13 | 7 | 6 | $166,000 | $23,714 |
| Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds | 5 | 5 | 0 | $153,500 | $30,700 |
| Stonehouse Thoroughbreds | 4 | 4 | 0 | $145,000 | $36,250 |
| Davali Thoroughbreds | 4 | 3 | 1 | $104,000 | $34,667 |
Table: Top vendors by gross at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale
Improved metrics signs off Inglis yearling sale season on a high
While the gross for the 2026 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale was down year on year, the sale saw 49 less horses sold and instead saw a rise in both average and median to $23,273 and $18,000. Reflecting on the yearling sales season as a whole, Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was pleased with what the Inglis team had managed to achieve.
“Turnover across our yearling sales this year is up over $8 million on 2025, which is very pleasing, particularly considering what has been going on in the world over the past couple of months,” he said.
“Our team has worked exceptionally hard to market all of our sales effectively and canvass buyers at all levels, ultimately with the objective of delivering a market leading service and achieve market leading results.
“Our team has worked exceptionally hard to market all of our sales effectively and canvass buyers at all levels.” - Sebastian Hutch
“To have sold over 1670 yearlings at a clearance rate of 83% across the series is something that I think the team is understandably very proud of. We are hugely grateful for the support of breeders and vendors of our sales and similarly appreciative of the support of each of our sales by a huge range of buyers.”
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
The final clearance rate for the HTBA sale sits at 82%, up from 81% in 2025.
“The clearance rate is 82% and rising, while the average and median are strong compared with last year, and particularly impressive when compared to 2024 when a similar number of horses were offered,” said Hutch.
“The selectivity of the market has been a challenge throughout the sales year and is particularly pronounced at a sale like this, but we will continue to work constructively with vendors to identify ways in which we can develop our markets to facilitate improved returns.”
“We will continue to work constructively with vendors to identify ways in which we can develop our markets to facilitate improved returns.” - Sebastian Hutch
Attention now turns to the breeding stock sales series. The Inglis Digital April Late Sale will incorporate the first of two sessions of the Australian Broodmare Sale Sessions, and will be followed by the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on May 5 and 6, and the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on the evening of May 7.
Top Buyers by Gross
| SP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty Ltd | 1 | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| TD Aitken Bloodstock | 2 | $130,000 | $65,000 |
| Payne Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $117,500 | $39,167 |
| Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $115,000 | $57,500 |
| Byerley Bloodstock | 1 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| Group One Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 3 | $110,000 | $36,667 |
| Dream Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 2 | $90,000 | $45,000 |
| Hunter Valley Bloodstock | 1 | $90,000 | $90,000 |
| Tricolours Racing | 3 | $90,000 | $30,000 |
| Bluebloods Thoroughbreds/ SP Bloodstock | 3 | $82,000 | $27,333 |
Top Buyers by Average
| TD Aitken Bloodstock | 2 | $130,000 | $65,000 |
| Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $115,000 | $57,500 |
| Dream Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 2 | $90,000 | $45,000 |
| Payne Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $117,500 | $39,167 |
| Go Forward | 2 | $77,000 | $38,500 |
| Group One Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 3 | $110,000 | $36,667 |
| Toward Reward Thoroughbreds / Bluegrass Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $62,000 | $31,000 |
| Triangle Racing | 2 | $61,000 | $30,500 |
| Tricolours Racing | 3 | $90,000 | $30,000 |
| Bluebloods Thoroughbreds/ SP Bloodstock | 3 | $82,000 | $27,333 |
Top Sires by Gross
| Artorius | 9 | 5 | 3 | $247,000 | $49,400 |
| Cosmic Force | 5 | 4 | 0 | $177,500 | $44,375 |
| Zousain | 6 | 5 | 1 | $140,000 | $28,000 |
| Home Affairs | 2 | 2 | 0 | $135,000 | $67,500 |
| In the Congo | 2 | 2 | 0 | $132,500 | $66,250 |
| Hellbent | 3 | 3 | 0 | $127,500 | $42,500 |
| Supido | 3 | 3 | 0 | $113,000 | $37,667 |
| Anamoe | 1 | 1 | 0 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| Tassort | 6 | 5 | 1 | $109,000 | $21,800 |
| Alabama Express | 3 | 3 | 0 | $106,000 | $35,333 |
Top Sires by Average
| Home Affairs | 2 | 2 | 0 | $135,000 | $67,500 |
| In the Congo | 2 | 2 | 0 | $132,500 | $66,250 |
| Artorius | 9 | 5 | 3 | $247,000 | $49,400 |
| Cosmic Force | 5 | 4 | 0 | $177,500 | $44,375 |
| Hellbent | 3 | 3 | 0 | $127,500 | $42,500 |
| Supido | 3 | 3 | 0 | $113,000 | $37,667 |
| Blue Point (IRE) | 2 | 2 | 0 | $72,000 | $36,000 |
| Best of Bordeaux | 3 | 2 | 1 | $71,000 | $35,500 |
| Alabama Express | 3 | 3 | 0 | $106,000 | $35,333 |
| Zousain | 6 | 5 | 1 | $140,000 | $28,000 |
