The first Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale at Riverside Stables has begun in outstanding fashion, with a top price of $255,000 and clearance rate of 92% on Day 1.
In front of an active buying bench made up largely of astute pinhookers, a stunning I Am Invincible weanling colt topped a stellar's day trading, which ended with an average price of $29,164 for 118 Select Weanlings sold.
Vendors were the big winners today, with a majority enjoying a 100% clearance rate.
Evergreen Stud Farm offered the day's two top Lots, as agent for Hillside Thoroughbreds.
The highest result of the day was Lot 119, an I Am Invincible x Bang On colt which Lyndhurst Farm NZ bought for $255,000, the second-highest price ever for an I Am Invincible weanling.
The second-top Lot was a Hinchinbrook x Artful Whisper colt (Lot 117), purchased by Maluka Thoroughbreds for $130,000.
Evergreen Stud's Tony Bott was buoyed by the strength of the market.
"There's a lot of confidence around in the market overall and similar to the Easter Yearling Sale, anything that's quality will sell especially well,'' Bott said.
"Both the I Am Invincible and Hinchinbrook colts sold very well. They were both lovely weanlings and had been very popular all week.
"We talked to the interested people and told them they were going to be sold, there weren't going to be silly reserves, we got them on the market early, the buyers had the confidence to bid which always helps and they sold very well.
"All credit really must go to Hillside. They were presented to us in lovely condition and we didn't have to do a lot. The buyers obviously appreciated quality and we saw the end result. It was fantastic.''
Lyndhurst Farm's Mark Treweek was thrilled to secure the day's top Lot.
"He is by one of the best sires at the moment and we just loved him when we first saw him,'' Treweek said.
"I think it has been a really nice market. Some have made good money but overall there has been a middle range and most people would be pretty happy.''
Inglis' Managing Director Mark Webster described the day's trade as "exceptional''.
"The first year here at Riverside, I think we've shown today that selling quality Select weanlings on the Sunday after the Australian Easter Yearling Sale works,'' Webster said.
"We've certainly got a platform to work off for future years.
"There is plenty more quality on offer tomorrow and Tuesday with broodmares and race fillies so I encourage people to come along and take part or register to bid online.
"Our Bloodstock team will be available to inspect any Lots if clients are unable to attend the sale.''
Day 2 of the Australian Broodmare & Weanling Sale begins at 10am tomorrow, Monday April 16, where 225 Select Broodmares and Select Race Fillies and Mares will be offered.
Two supplementary Race Fillies and Mares (Lots 651 and 652) will be offered tomorrow after Lot 183 of the Select Race Fillies and Mares (Lots 167-183).
The two remaining supplementary Select Broodmares (Lots 653 and 654) will be offered at the end of the sale after Lot 634 on Tuesday April 17.
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