Thoroughbred Sales Down Under
The Australian thoroughbred sales scene is a vibrant one. Annually, Australia is the second largest producer of thoroughbred foals in the world. 22 countries import Australian racehorses with a contribution of A$750+ million to the economy. A further A$1.1+ billion invested annually by breeders, owners and trainers.
The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which was just held in January, is the premier yearling sale held by Magic Millions and it sets the tone for the sales in Australia, being the first sale of the year. They smashed records again this year with averages going up and a very strong market there.
This is followed by another sale on the Gold Coast in March, a sale in Tasmania, a sale in Adelaide and a sale in Perth in February. This sale (The Perth Yearling Sale) is heldat the Belmont Park Sales Complex and is scheduled for February 19 and 20. This has listed 302 lots currently. The mining industry has affected the market as well as a number of other factors but it still produces some Group winning types despite everything, but they can be far apart.
The Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, which is their next biggestwill be held on 13 and 14 March has so far 454 listed lots. Whereas their Gold Coast March Yearling Sale to be held on the March 19 and 20 and will see 389 select lots registered so far.
Magic Millions are associated with the sale of the darling of Australian and world racing and the highest rated horse on turf, Winx. It was then lot 329, which was purchased from the Gold Coast sales ring in 2013 for $230,000.
The Magic MillionsJune yearling sale is a sale that is also grown in terms of the horses and prices.
WillaimInglis has sold some of the greatest performers of the world’s racing history. A new era for bloodstock sales in Australia began last week with the world renowned Inglis sales company hosting the Classic Yearling Sale at their new Riverside Stables. After many years in the planning, it was fitting that the first horse to sell at Inglis was consigned by Torryburn Stud, with owner John Cornish having been instrumental in the initial purchase of the land at Warwick Farm, instigated during his tenure as Chairman of the Australian Turf Club.The recently concluded Classic Yearling Sale which was very strong – 93% of 800 horses were sold and the average grew by 34%accumulating a total of A$55,625,000.
Theirnext sale, The PremierYearling Sale (Book 1 & 2) will be held between the March 4 and March 7 at the Oaklands Junction. The catalogue has already registered 770 yearlings, 505 of which are Super VOBIS nominated and 339 BOBS eligible. Of the 770, a total of 541 (70%) are Victorian-bred.
Another major sale event will be theAustralian Easter Yearling Sale between April 9 and April 11which is back at the Riverside Stables’ venue. An elite catalogue as of date of 534 top-level yearlings will be the focus of the world’s thoroughbred industry.
Another sales event which is not held in Australia has come in the limelight with its featured lots is the New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales Series. Next featured sale will be on April 20 the South Island Sale which will be held at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. Last completed sale was the Karaka Sale (Book 1,2 & 3) which saw a combined sale of 900 horses sold in 7 days and accumulate a staggering $11,046,950.