Among the world’s most desirable yearlings will head to auction in Sydney over this Sunday and Monday, as Inglis conducts its renowned Easter Yearling Sale.
Offspring from Group 1 victors Sunlight, Shoals, Montefilia and 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle feature among the 472 lots listed, alongside relatives of top performers such as Switzerland, Estijaab, Classique Legend, Zougotcha and Trapeze Artist.
The auction occurs amid economic uncertainty, with Middle East tensions affecting global markets, and although Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch is guarded about projections, he is positive regarding the compiled catalogue.
“I don’t think people know what to expect, there are so many variables in play economically,” Hutch said.
“Really, all we can do is try and do our best to facilitate the best market we can, try and provide the best service that we can and if it happens that people turn up and want to buy horses and are happy to invest, well great.
“If it doesn’t, we just want to be able to work away and walk away from the thing and be proud that we’ve done our best.”
Due to Easter arriving on the first weekend of April this year, the sale has been moved up by a week from its usual timing just after the holiday, and the current catalogue shows a 12 percent increase over last year’s, which totalled $151 million in sales with an average price of $447,832 per yearling.
The second foal from Winx was slated for this year’s Easter Sale, following the $10 million sale of her Pierro filly two years prior, but the Snitzel colt was pulled from the auction late last month after a training issue.
Plenty of elite pedigrees are still on offer, featuring stallions like Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Zoustar, plus rising stars Home Affairs and Anamoe among those well-represented in the catalogue.
Hutch noted a positive atmosphere at the Riverside Sales Complex during the viewing period.
“I think typically it’s a sale that people look forward to,” he said.
“We promote it on the basis that it’s the best yearlings offered by the best breeders at the best complex.
“We feel like we’ve got a particularly good catalogue of yearlings this year. There are obviously more challenging circumstances under which to be offering a draft of yearlings, but the horses are, on the main, very good and it’ll really be up to buyers to decide how they feel about them.”
The opening lot, a Home Affairs filly from New Zealand Group 1 winner O’Marilyn, hits the auction block at 11am on Sunday.
Explore Australian betting sites for the best racing odds ahead of these promising yearlings hitting the track.
