Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
The Inglis Spring Carnival Sale initiative reflects a growing appetite for accessible racehorse ownership with immediacy a key and the timing of the sale adding another layer of appeal.
For vendors, it offers a chance to realise value during the spring carnival, while buyers can secure an interest in established performers with significant racing opportunities still ahead.
A Melbourne Cup dream within reach
A bucket-list moment could become reality in just six days for the new owners of the 9-year-old Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), with 9.5% of the gelding’s ownership offered at an estimated valuation of between $400,000 and $700,000.
Three individual 2.5% shares in Vauban sold for $10,000 each, while the two 1% shares sold for $6,500 and $7,000, respectively.
The opportunity to buy into a Melbourne Cup contender just days before the race is an unusual proposition, drawing comparisons with the Goffs London Sale, held on the eve of Royal Ascot, which provides buyers with a similar chance to secure an interest in horses competing during one of racing’s biggest weeks.
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Greg Maitland secured one of the 2.5% shares for $10,000 and while he won’t make it to Flemington on Tuesday, he’s “beyond excited’’ to have a runner in the race that stops the nation.
“I don’t really care if he comes last, I’ve got a runner in the Melbourne Cup and that’s the dream,’’ an elated Maitland said.
“I don’t really care if he (Vauban) comes last, I’ve got a runner in the Melbourne Cup and that’s the dream.’’ - Greg Maitland
“I’ve only been in the game recently, my mate Terry Board has been in it a long time and I’ve started to go in a couple with him. I’m in Rosberg with Clinton McDonald and I always thought having a runner in the Melbourne Cup would be fun so when this opportunity came up I wanted to have a crack.
“I own pubs so Melbourne Cup Day has always been a really big day for me. I’ll be at a function with 400 people in Adelaide at one of the pubs for Cup Day and now I’ve got a runner so I’m beyond excited.’’
Greg Maitland | Image courtesy of GM Hotel Group
Brisbane-based Steve Rielly purchased a 1% share in Vauban for $7000.
Rielly has had horses entered for the Melbourne Cup before but never had a runner but that will all change come 3pm Tuesday at Flemington.
“I know it’s a long shot but you’ve got to be in it to win it,’’ Rielly said.
“I know it’s a long shot but you’ve got to be in it to win it.’’ - Steve Rielly
“It’s 100% always been a dream to have a horse in the Melbourne Cup. I’ve had runners in a Cox Plate and a Caulfield Cup but not the Melbourne Cup so it’s really very exciting.
“I’ve had horses with Australian Bloodstock for years and I follow them on social media and I saw an ad pop up there over the weekend about the sale. I’ve used Inglis Digital before, I’ve bought a few horses with you guys online and it’s so easy, it’s basically click and forget.’’
Vauban's Melbourne Cup opportunity
Vauban brings considerable experience to next Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup, having recorded 10 wins over distances ranging from 2,000 metres to 3,400 metres.
His record includes victories in the G2 Lonsdale Cup, the G3 Sky High Stakes on two occasions, the G3 Ballyroan Stakes and the Listed Vichy Prix Frederic de Lagrange. He has also finished in the top four at Group 1 level five times.
The gelding began his 9-year-old season with a ninth in the G3 Geelong Cup, carrying the substantial weight of 60.5kg, as he worked towards next Tuesday’s feature.
Another incentive for his new owners is the guaranteed minimum of $100,000 should he start and finish the race, under the new rules ensuring every Melbourne Cup runner earns prize money.
Vauban will carry 56.5kg in the race, with trainer Gai Waterhouse confident in the preparation.
“I have set him for the race and I think he will run a mighty race.’’
“I have set him (Vauban) for the race and I think he will run a mighty race.’’ - Gai Waterhouse
Having started his spring campaign later this year, Vauban also has several lucrative opportunities ahead beyond the Melbourne Cup. Should he continue to race well, targeting suitable feature races could provide his connections with further opportunities to share in significant prize money.
Brindavan offers another spring opportunity
The sale also presented buyers with the chance to secure an interest in Brindavan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), with a 2.5% share in the gelding selling for $17,000 and valuing him at $680,000.
Owned by First Light Racing and trained by Tony Gollan, Brindavan has been in excellent form, winning two of his past three starts in Queensland.
His latest success came at Eagle Farm last Saturday, when he produced a dominant victory over 1,600 metres.
Brindavan | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Brindavan has recorded six wins across Great Britain and Australia over distances up to 2,000 metres, and now sets his sights on the $2 million G3 Five Diamonds at Rosehill Gardens.
With an immediate feature-race target and the potential for further opportunities ahead, his sale represents another way for new owners to become involved in a horse with an exciting spring campaign.
The Inglis Spring Carnival Sale - A concept and a start to build from
Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth was delighted with how today’s sale unfolded.
“This is a concept we have been looking at for a while now and for the first renewal of the Spring Carnival Sale to result in five people having their first Melbourne Cup runner, it’s been a great success,’’ Melmeth said.
“This sale has shown another element of the Inglis Digital platform whereby on the eve of one of the biggest weeks in world horse racing, we can provide the opportunity for sellers to capitalise on a strong appetite of buyers wanting to be involved in what is a unique sporting event at such short notice.
Nick Melmeth | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We hope to build on this concept next year and beyond and with the support of vendors such as what we had this week, I’m confident there is room for significant growth in this sale moving forward.’
"It suits both vendors and buyers; vendors want to sell, and buyers want to buy. It also provides an opportunity for sellers to capitalise and maximise profit and at times downsize so they aren't missing out either."
