It took a syndicate of international powerbrokers to outbid a Sheikh for Top Lot honours on a strong Day 2 of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Randwick Newmarket Complex.
Lot 178, a Medaglia d’Oro x Hoss Amor colt from Yarraman Park, attracted the attention of a significant amount of top-level buyers wanting to take him home.
In the end it took a partnership, formed just hours before the sale, between Coolmore, Stonestreet, Aquis and Unifaith to secure the colt for $2,400,000 from under bidder Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
The price tag proved a further indicator of the strength and depth of the buyer market present at the sale, which has led to impressive overall figures.
At the conclusion of Day 2, the sale’s average was $354,044, median $270,000, gross $79,660,000 with a healthy clearance rate of 81%.
The leading vendor by aggregate is Arrowfield Stud ($10,355,000). Leading by average (three or more sold) is Yarraman Park at $600,714, while the leading buyer by Lots purchased is
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott with 14.
The leading sire by Aggregate is Snitzel ($13,590,000 from 29 sales). By Average (three or more Lots sold) is Exceed And Excel at $606,364.
With one day to go, there have been
10 Lots sold for $1 million or more, by nine different sires – Medaglia d’Oro, Redoute’s Choice, Fastnet Rock, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Not A Single Doubt, Exceed And Excel, Written Tycoon and Zoustar.
Last year’s sale saw nine $1 million-plus Lots sold over the three days.
Vendor Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park described the colt as “the perfect yearling’’.
“He was always very nice but I think he’s bloomed in prep and as every day went on, he was just the perfect yearling, he never put a foot wrong,’’ Mitchell said.
“He’s just a lovely-natured nice colt but obviously we didn’t think he’d make that sort of money.
“We knew we were bringing a nice colt down.’’
The top filly for the day was Lot 310 (Snitzel x Response) for Arrowfield Stud, which sold to Emirates Park for $1,700,000.
Arrowfield’s John Messara knew the filly would be popular.
“She’s a queen and she had it all – pedigree, type, sire, she was worth every penny,’’ Messara said.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said the sale statistics highlighted the overall health of the industry.
“The diverse interest in racing and breeding across the globe is phenomenally strong at present and that is having a significant impact on overall figures,’’ Webster said.
“There are investors from all points of the globe at Newmarket this week, many working together to secure their chosen yearlings.
“It really does show the international interest and strength of our industry and that’s an exciting position to be in.’’
Day 3 action begins at midday Thursday.
2017 AUSTRALIAN EASTER YEARLING SALE – END OF DAY 2 STATISTICS (2016 figures in brackets)
Lots sold: 225 (291) down 66 horses : 22.69%
Clearance Rate: 81% (80%) up 1.25%
Average Price: $354,044 ($281,211) up $72,833 : 25.9%
Median Price: $270,000 ($200,000) up $70,000 : 35%
Top Price: $2,400,000 ($2,300,000) up $100,000
Gross: $79,660,000 ($81,832,500)
CURRENT SIRE STATS EASTER 2017 - Stallions of Interest to Dynamic Syndications:
We’ve purchased Yearlings in 2017 by these 8 sires:
| Sire |
Lots |
Sold |
Gross |
Average |
Top |
Median |
Fastnet Rock
|
26 |
17
|
$7,950,000 |
$467,647 |
$1,150,000 |
$340,000 |
I Am Invincible
|
18
|
9 |
$4,190,000 |
$465,556 |
$1,600,000 |
$320,000 |
Redoute's Choice
|
36 |
19 |
$8,310,000
|
$437,368 |
$1,800,000 |
$350,000 |
Medaglia d'Oro
|
26 |
14
|
$5,555,000
|
$396,786 |
$2,400,000 |
$200,000 |
Pierro
|
29 |
12
|
$3,135,000 |
$261,250 |
$500,000 |
$230,000 |
| Lonhro |
7 |
6 |
$1,540,000 |
$256,667 |
$425,000 |
$265,000 |
| All Too Hard |
18
|
9 |
$1,505,000 |
$167,222
|
$440,000
|
$140,000 |
| Smart Missile |
6
|
3
|
$330,000 |
$110,000 |
$150,000 |
$100,000 |