A Frosted filly ensured Supreme Thoroughbreds topped the Gold Sale for a second consecutive year when a daughter of True Priority realised $150,000 at Oaklands today.
Sold to Brian Hall, Intel Bloodstock and 888 Racing, the filly was the 10th last horse to enter the ring this afternoon but it didn’t stop many of the best judges from staying around late to try and take her home with them.
In the end it was the determined trio who secured her for a “passionate racing enthusiast’’ and while they were hopeful of a cheaper price, were adamant they had to have her.
“We ummed and ahhed for a couple of days to see where she sat in the market. We valued her at $80,000-$130,000 or $140,000 but when the good judges are on her like they were today, we were determined to buy her and happy to go those extra few steps to get her,’’ Intel Bloodstock’s Ash Richards said.
“We had to fight for her but we were prepared. We did the homework on her and really believed in her.
“I just loved that she was out of a Bel Esprit mare. He’s an emerging broodmare sire, just look at the likes of Beauty Generation, Ole Kirk, Swats That, just a few examples of quality horses with Bel Esprit as their broodmare sire.
“She had all that Bel Esprit in her, she’s strong, good shoulder, had the Bel Esprit walk, a lot of push power to her, just a filly that oozed strength and speed and had the symmetrical balance that I like.
“I’ve been searching for a filly for a good client out of a Bel Esprit mare, she had a good presence and we just had to have her. She was the best filly in the sale for me.’’
Richards is also a fan of Frosted and believes the stallion could further enhance today’s purchase with a big day at Caulfield on Saturday with his progeny.
“I’m really interested to see Ice Pick Nick for Maher/Eustace in the Vobis Dash on Saturday, he looks an outstanding Frosted 3YO and Matt Laurie’s Frosted filly Riverina Cyclone in the Vobis Sires Guineas as well,’’ Richards said.
“Frosted is an underrated stallion for mine too so we’re thrilled to have her.’’
For Supreme Thoroughbreds’ Brent Grayling, today’s result was well worth the wait, with the filly (pictured) initially set to sell at the Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands in late February.
“It’s great to top the Gold sale two years in a row. She’s a filly we ran into bad luck with at Premier, she was at Oaklands and was parading but she got a temperature two days before so we had to scratch her,’’ Grayling explained.
“We’ve come back now six weeks later and she’s topped the sale which is fantastic. We’re very happy with the $150,000 today, absolutely.
“There were so many people bidding on here, I was so impressed with how popular she was. She was popular all week, a lot of second and third looks too, they were all waiting around for her.
“It was a long wait for everyone but it was well worth it. It just shows they’ll find the quality anywhere.’’
Today’s second-top lot was a Toronado x Mieko’s Diamond colt of Kayo Farm, which sold to Henry Dwyer Racing for $120,000.
Kayo’s Merrick Kingston described the result as “brilliant’’.
“Prior to today my best result was $23,000 so to get $120,000 for him, this is really special to me and it will make a huge difference to me,’’ an elated Kingston said.
“It’s taking some time to sink in to be honest.
“I’m so happy, absolutely thrilled. We had a lot of interest in him during the week as well. He’s just a nice type, not too big, I think he’ll make a beautiful late 2YO into early 3YO type.’’
Dwyer added: “[Inglis Senior Bloodstock Consultant] Brett Gilding pointed the horse out to me as a really athletic, good moving type of horse and when I went to inspect him, I absolutely agreed wholeheartedly.
“I’ve long been an unabashed fan of Toronado and hadn’t been able to pick one up this year. I was very keen to buy a Toronado at Gold if there was one suitable and for me he was the best type in the sale by the best stallion in the sale, so it was a no-brainer.”
Today’s sale ended with increases to the average ($20,476) and median ($12,000).
Blue Gum Farm ended as leading vendor, grossing $868,000 from 21 lots sold at an average of $41,333.
They also sold seven of the top 11 lots today.
“What a week! Gee whiz we were parading horses in the rain all day on Tuesday non-stop and yesterday was unbelievably busy again,’’ Blue Gum’s Phil Campbell said.
“We’re very happy. We had a really strong gross and our draft average was double the sale average so I’m bloody proud to be honest.
“We were second-leading vendor by gross at Premier and now we’re leading vendor at Gold so it’s been another fabulous yearling sales season for Blue Gum. I was blown away with how much we grossed at Prem because we knew we didn’t have a sale topper in the draft and to come to Oaklands today and back that up with more great stats at Gold is just amazing.’’
Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price was pleased with the day’s trade.
“With 100 fewer yearlings catalogued, the sale was never going to match the heights of last year in terms of turnover, but the other metrics were positive in the context of this sale and I expect that clearance will improve into tomorrow,’’ Price said.
“There were over 120 individual listed buyers from across Australia and internationally, but there wasn’t quite the volume of quality through the catalogue to satisfy the demands of a lot of buyers, so we have plenty of prospective buyers going home with orders unfilled.
“Those vendors who brought horses that met the criteria of buyers, vetted well and set realistic reserves, were generally very well rewarded.
“This sale provides an important outlet for vendors and buyers and continues to produce horses that compete and win at the top level and I have no doubt buyers will reap the rewards of supporting today’s sale in seasons to come.
“There are still some opportunities to purchase passed in lots so I urge everybody out there to take a look at our website, contact a member of our bloodstock team or go direct to vendors and express your interest in those horses who are yet to be sold.’’
To enquire about a passed in lot from the Gold Yearling Sale, contact Will Stott on 0408 126 952.
Buyers’ attention now reverts to the Inglis Digital April (Late) Online Auction, which will be open for bidding from 3pm tomorrow.
The catalogue of almost 450 horses includes an unreserved broodmare reduction from Arrowfield Stud consisting of 85 mares, plus 11 Hudson Conway gallopers including recent Stakes placegetter Pondus.
To view the catalogue or to participate in the sale from tomorrow, CLICK HERE.
The final countdown of bidding will begin from midday Wednesday, April 27.
