Canning Downs dispersal confirmed for March (Late) Online Sale

Media Release - Friday March 14

An unreserved Canning Downs dispersal will be a standout feature of the Inglis Digital March (Late) Online Sale, for which entries remain open.

After 107 years of the Barnes family breeding thoroughbreds off Canning Downs in Queensland, a decision has been made to wind down the business.

As a result, a draft of mares, foals and breeding rights in Pierata and Graff will be offered in the upcoming Inglis Digital auction.

The dispersal features mares in foal to Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.

A majority of the mares in the draft will be offered in foal including Vibrant Rouge (Written Tycoon) - the dam of G1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun – and Sancy, both of whom will be offered with pregnancies to Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.

There are also mares in foal to the likes of Harry Angel, Spirit Of Boom, Better Than Ready, All Too Hard, Microphone etc as well as mares with foals at foot by the likes of So You Think.

Among the draft is Coralina, the dam of exciting 2YO Grafterburners, which finished 4th behind Rivellino, Within The Law and Artistic Venture in the $2m Inglis Millennium at his most recent start.

Coralina herself is a three-quarter sister to G1 Golden Slipper winner Overreach.

Joy Mackay, owner of Canning Downs with her partner John Barnes, admitted the decision to disperse the farm’s stock came with mixed emotions.

“Unfortunately John’s sons just don’t have that level of interest in breeding and you need to be emotionally invested, it’s not just something you dabble in,’’ she said.

“It’s a big thing to face up to but at some stage the decision had to be made.

“There is never the perfect time but it is for us and we decided it’s better to just make the call, rather than phase things out slowly.

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“John and I will keep some interest in racing, we have some horses that we still race because we love it.

“We hope these lovely mares have had a really good start in their careers and we will get immense pleasure out of future winners from these families.’’

Inglis’ NSW Bloodstock Operations Manager Chris Russell said it was an honour to have the opportunity to offer the Canning Downs stock on Inglis Digital.

“John and Joy are very conscientious breeders who are incredible custodians of what is a beautiful farm at Canning Downs,” Russell said.

“People looking to invest in these mares can do so knowing that they have been afforded the highest standards of care and attention, while the pedigrees have been carefully collected and developed over the years.

“It is particularly exciting to have mares carrying first crop pregnancies to Shinzo, who looks an awesome prospect for Coolmore.”

Another confirmed entry in the sale is the young broodmare Aimee’s Jewel (Proisir), in foal to Tassort.

Aimee’s Jewel is a lightly raced G3-winning mare whose first foal by Hellbent sold for $150,000 at last week’s Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands.

Entries for the Inglis Digital March (Late) Sale will close at midnight Wednesday.

To enter CLICK HERE.

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