Positive Signs from First Day of Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

The positive signs from earlier in the year continued into the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket, with the opening session of the sale returning $31,860,000 in gross receipts with the $248,906 average up 13 percent on last year’s overall figures.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster was pleased with the opening session, particularly with the number of overseas buyers active during the day.

“While still cautious, it’s encouraging to see confidence returning to the market and if we can hold these figures throughout the sale we would be delighted.” Webster said.

Gerald Ryan set the early benchmark when he went to an even $1million for the Redoute’s Choice-Schiaparelli filly (pictured) from Emirates Park.

The trainer knows the family well, having trained the three-quarter-brother Rothesay, a horse that clearly possessed Group 1 ability but sadly retired as only a Group 2 winner after bleeding twice. Ryan also trains Rothesay’s full sister Fast Shanti, a filly he has huge aspirations for.

“At the same stage, she’s a better type,” Ryan said of today’s topper. “She’s a lovely filly and I think she will run earlier than the other two. Sepoy’s in the family and it’s a pedigree that can only continue to improve.”

French based Chantilly Bloodstock was also a leading player during the opening session, securing the Redoute’s Choice filly from VRC Oaks winner Special Harmony for $850,000. The filly was offered for sale by Arrowfield Stud and will remain in Australia to race.

A More Than Ready filly from True Blonde, offered by Segenhoe from the same family that produced Golden Slipper winner Forensics, sold to Belmont Bloodstock for $750,000, while a High Chaparral colt from Windsor Park Stud made the same amount to a bid from Anton Koolman.

Redoute’s Choice yearlings from Highgrove Stud and Willow Park Stud also made $700,000 during the first session.

Ingham Racing finished as the leading buyer during the opening session, securing six yearlings for a little over $2million, with an Encosta De Lago filly from the immediate family of Rangirangdoo the highest price at $690,000.

Shadwell Australia finished the day with four yearlings for a $1.82million spend, headed by Highgrove's Redoute's Choice filly from Valadon and a Redoute's Choice-Winning Belle colt from Willow Park - both for $700,000.

Peter Moody was also active, picking up four youngsters for $1.28million, headed by Torryburn Stud’s More Than Ready-Sharp Aunty colt for $400,000.

A highlight of tomorrow’s session, which starts at 11am, will be the sale of the Casino Prince half-brother to Moody’s superstar Black Caviar, which can be seen on Inglis Sale Day live between 2pm and 3pm.

Inglis’ Online Bidding service will also be available for those who can’t attend the Newmarket sale complex.

Horses passed in during today’s session are all still available for sale via the Inglis Make an Offer service.

Photos of today’s top sellers can also be found on the Inglis Photo Gallery