The hammer came down on the final Lot of the Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale this evening, bringing an end to an historic first Easter sales period at Riverside Stables.
In a big fortnight which saw the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Chairman's Sale and Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale completed at the new venue, $163,756,050 million worth of yearlings, weanlings, racing and breeding stock has been sold at Riverside since April 9.
It concluded a phenomenal start to the company's future at Riverside Stables, which has also resulted in:
*$277,496,400 million traded by Inglis since the start of the Classic Yearling Sale, a 9.25% year-on-year increase
*Of that, $235,370,000 has been in the yearling market, an 11% year-on-year increase
*Among this, there have been 22 Lots sell for $1million or more at Riverside, of the 33 in all of Australasia.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said the first Easter period at Riverside Stables was "an undoubted success''.
"Noting the scale of the change in moving to Riverside, the past fortnight and the past four months has gone phenomenally well overall,'' Webster said.
"We're delighted with how the sales facility and hotel has functioned and while there are things to tweak – as there are always things to tweak – I'm extremely proud of my staff at Inglis as well as the hotel staff for their extraordinary efforts to put on three consecutive sales and receive such quality results in a new environment.
"I would also like to thank all the vendors, buyers, media and stud staff for their tireless efforts in making this past fortnight such a success.''
On the final day of the Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale today, 471 Lots had sold to take the sale's overall average to $30,613 at a clearance rate of 81% and gross of $14,418,550.
In a nice touch, the last Lot of the day, offered by Fernrigg Farm, was led around the sales ring by Inglis' departing Complex Manager Jeff Matthews, who is retiring after 24 years of service.
The day's top Lot was Wilcannia, a Snitzel x Ana's Mail mare in foal to Flying Artie, purchased by Boomer Bloodstock/Daandine Stud for $170,000 from the Twin Hills Stud draft.
It was one of four horses Olly Tait of Twin Hills offered at the sale – all of which sold – capping off a big 72 hours for the farm which also included the announcement that stallion Smart Missile will stand at the Cootamundra stud from this season.
"The Snitzel was a lovely mare and she had a good profile, there was plenty of competition for her so we were thrilled to get that amount for her. I think she's going to Queensland so I wish them the very best of luck,'' Tait said.
"We've sold some, we've bought some, the business always keeps moving and we have to keep investing.
"It was also very exciting obviously to get Smart Missile and it's been really well received and we're looking forward to the year ahead.''
At the conclusion of Day 3, the leading buyer of the Select Race Fillies and Broodmares by both individual Lots purchased and aggregate was Belmont Bloodstock and partners, ahead of Aquis Farm and partners.
To view all the statistics from the past fortnight,CLICK HERE.
Attention now moves to Melbourne for Sunday's VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale, where 276 yearlings will be offered at Oaklands Junction form 10am.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
And a reminder that entries for the April Inglis Online Auction close at midnight tomorrow, April 18.
The sale runs from this coming Friday until next Thursday (April 26), a day longer than usual due to Anzac Day.
To enter,CLICK HERE.
