Standout first-season sire Spirit of Boom (Aus) provided three of the top five lots during the inaugural Book 2 of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on Tuesday. All three were consigned by the McAlpine family's Queensland-based Eureka Stud, which bred, raced and stands the sire, propelling the operation to be leading vendor. Spirit of Boom had five total sell on the day for an average of A$135,000. Eureka enjoyed a 100% clearance rate, its six all sold for A$707,500 and an average of A$117,917, making it the leading vendor for both those categories.
A total of 157 yearlings were sold on Tuesday for A$7,051,500 at a clearance rate of 88%. The average was A$44,914, and the median A$35,000.
Topping trade was Eureka's Spirit of Boom filly out of the Group 2 winner Laurinel Argie (Aus) (Palace Music), who was picked up by Hopefull Unit Trust for A$200,000. Lot 761 is also a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Rustic Melody (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}).
Spirit of Boom received a vote of confidence from the powerful China Horse Club/Newgate/WinStar trio, which went to A$150,000 for the first foal of the unraced Snitzel Express (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) (Lot 628), and a short time later Victoria's SDB Racing spent the same amount on another Spirit of Boom colt (lot 634), this one out of the Anabaa mare Stylized (Aus), the dam of four winners from five to race.
Spirit of Boom leads the Australian first-season sire standings by winners and stakes winners, with nine and four apiece. He sits second to Zoustar (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) by earnings, that one's two winners headed by the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Sunlight (Aus).
Trainer Richard Freedman spent A$155,000 on a son of Sepoy (Aus) (Lot 612), while Arrowfield's Smart Missile (Aus) colt, lot 689, looks to be headed to Hong Kong after being picked up by Upper Bloodstock for the same price.
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