Newmarket bids farewell with exceptional finish

An extraordinary fortnight – and 112 years of history – ended in style today when the gavel came down for the last ever time at Newmarket, capping off a remarkable select sales season for Inglis. 

Jamie Inglis, company director and the eldest of the fifth-generation family still involved in the company, auctioned the final Lot in emotional scenes in the Newmarket sale ring.

It brought to an end a phenomenal period, which included:

*$254 million traded by Inglis since the start of the Classic Yearling Sale

*Among this, there have been 20 $1million Lots, of which only 24 have been sold in Australasia in 2017

*Inglis has sold $156 million worth of yearlings, weanlings, racing and breeding stock at Newmarket since Thursday 30 March

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said the final Easter period at Newmarket was “exceptional for all participants’’.

“It truly has been a memorable few weeks and I would like to thank and congratulate everybody involved, from the breeders, vendors, buyers and my staff for a fantastic few weeks,’’ Webster said.

“Whilst understandably people are a bit emotional tonight at leaving Newmarket, I encourage everybody to look forward to what we have coming at Riverside Stables, because it truly is going to be a world-class precinct.

“It really will be the start of a new era for the company and everybody involved in the racing industry.’’

To view Inglis’ new Riverside Stables precinct at Warwick Farm, CLICK HERE.

On the final day at Newmarket – Day 3 of the Australian Broodmare & Weanling sale - Godolphin continued its fine tradition of securing a 100% clearance rate with their mares, selling all 40 of their offerings.

Their highest today was Lot 442, Pretends, in foal to Lonhro, which Yu Long Investments bought for $230,000.

Yu Long were the day’s leading buyer, securing two of the top four Lots including the top Lot, Passion Cheval, in foal to More Than Ready, for $270,000 from Vinery Stud.

Godolphin’s John Sunderland was proud of his team’s results from the past three days.

“It’s great that the market has responded so well and we’re ecstatic about the way they’ve sold,’’ Sunderland said.

“The buying bench is outstanding, it’s diverse, it’s a sign of how healthy the industry is and it’s been a wonderful few days, so thanks to Inglis for making it all happen.

“It really has been an honour being involved in the last sale at Newmarket and I’d like to wish all the buyers of our horses these past few days all the best of luck with their purchases.’’

Yu Long’s Mr Zhang “had been waiting the whole sale’’ for Lot 426, the day’s top buy.

“She has a great page, the family is very strong and I’m very happy with the buy,’’ Mr Zhang said.

The Chairman's Sale and Australian Broodmare & Weanling Sale element of the past fortnight ended with a gross of $42,232,500 for 496 Lots sold at an average of $85,146 and clearance rate of 87%.