By Kristen Manning, courtesy of The Thoroughbred Report
Buyers from across Australia and Asia showed up in force at Tuesday's Inglis Ready2Race Sale, setting a record-breaking price and surpassing last year's key statistics. Despite the lingering impact of racing closures in Singapore and Macau, the sale bounced back with fierce competition, delivering outstanding results.
“I never imagined, while finalizing the catalogue and conducting inspections, that we'd be celebrating these achievements by the end of the day,” said an elated Sebastian Hutch, reflecting on the remarkable success of the sale.
“It was the second-highest grossing Ready2Race sale ever, despite having significantly fewer horses than when the record was set in 2022. The intensity of competition at the top end of the market was a standout,” Hutch said, proud of the day's accomplishments.
He explained that last year, demand for quality young horses exceeded supply, leaving many buyers with unspent funds. “After last year's sale, we made it a priority to bring in a greater number of top-tier horses. Today's results at the top end show we delivered on that goal.”
Record-breaking A$1 million filly marks a milestone
It was a record-breaking A$1,000,000 that Yulong went to secure back a Written Tycoon (Aus) filly (Lot 166) they bred and sold as a yearling; the price the highest achieved at an Inglis Ready2Race.
A significant increase on the previous sale-topper (A$750,000 for a Dundeel {NZ} colt two years ago), the attractive dark bay had breezed up in 10.50s at Wangaratta for Baystone Farm who had purchased her from Yulong for A$200,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is a daughter of Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), Champion Middle Distance Horse in NZ in 2014-15; a dual Group 1-winning dam of three winners including the stakes placed Alsonso (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) who was exported to Hong Kong in March.
Soriano (whom Yulong secured seven years ago for A$1.15 million) is one of the five winners produced by the Listed Wagga Gold Cup winner Call Me Lily (NZ) (Just A Dancer {NZ}), also dam of the G3 Premier's Cup winner Kaiser Franz (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) and grandam of the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).
Baystone Farm's Dean Harvey was of course happy with the result, saying that “we thought we were pretty lucky getting her as a yearling, we thought she'd be out of our price range.”
“We raced Alsonso and we know that Mark Newnham has a big rap on him,” he said, adding that the filly showed ability during her preparation for the sale. “We identified a while ago that she has talent.”
The sale continues to evolve
Selling another five horses whilst passing in seven, Harvey said that the sale had its challenges.
“Inglis did a good job with the buying bench they attracted but there was always going to be an adjustment with racing in Singapore and Macau closing down,” he said.
“That took the wind out of the sails for this sale,” he added whilst noting that he remains confident that the sale has a future; “it continues to evolve,” he said.
Yulong were also the winning bidders on Lot 14, another colt by Written Tycoon. Sold by them to CH Bloodstock Ltd for $150,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, he was bought back for $525,000 from the draft of Leanach Lodge.
Breezing up in 10.55s at Taupo, he is the first foal for the multiple city winner Be My Star (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) whose stakes winning grandam Adagietto (NZ) (Sackford) is ancestress of a number of stakes winners including the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James (Aus) (Cable Bay {Ire}).
Yulong's Vin Cox was delighted to welcome the two Written Tycoons back to the fold, noting that “it shows that we have faith in our product.”
“Our stallion is going exceptionally well and we like supporting those who support us.”
Read the full report here.
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