Two outstanding days of trade have resulted in new records for both gross and sale average for the weanling sessions of the Inglis Great Southern Sale.
At the end of today's select session, the gross was $11,185,250 with a total of 345 weanlings selling at an average of $32,421 and an ever increasing clearance rate of 78%.
The top lot of the day was lot 302 (Zoustar x Morwell, pictured) who was purchased by John Wheeler for $250,000.
Not only did Merrivale farm sell the top lot, but also finished the sale with an 100% clearance rate for their 7 weanlings offered.
Merrivale's Jen Fowler was thrilled with the top result and the sale overall.
"To come here and top the sale with a beautiful colt who had so many parades and so many appreciative viewers is wonderful," Fowler said.
"It's exactly what we want to do at the Great Southern Sale.
"There's been strong competition and there has been an enormous amount of interest.
"We did so many parades, it was really well patronised.
"Everyone that wanted to find us, found us.
"Then everyone came into the new auditorium, enjoyed the hospitality and participated with gusto which was just fabulous."
Hunter Valley operation Fernrigg Farm went to $225,000 for a Not A Single Doubt colt (ex Vicennalia) offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds with a view to re-offering him as a yearling in 2020.
Fernrigg's Rae-Louise Farmer was pleased to buy the colt.
"It's been frustratingly difficult to buy the nice horses at all levels, but he was one we really wanted and it was a relief to get him," Farmer said.
Victorian pinhookers Luke and Mags Anderson of Maluka Farm purchased the third-highest lot of the day in lot 356 (Zoustar x Queen Of The Creek), sold by Swettenham Stud for $200,000.
Luke Anderson took a particular liking to the filly, recognising that determined bidding was needed to buy a weanling of her quality.
"He (Zoustar) is a stallion who does the job and she is a beautiful filly," Anderson said.
"We have bought her in conjunction with Eion Kemp in New Zealand.
"It is a new partnership and we'll see how we go when she comes back through Melbourne Premier Sale next year."
Inglis' Victorian Manager Simon Vivian was thrilled with the spirited bidding throughout the sale and the final results.
"The competition throughout the weanling sale has been extraordinary," Vivian said.
"It has not been rare to see six or seven bidders competing on the same horse.
"Our bloodstock team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure there was a deep buying bench at this sale.
"It's great to see so many of the leading yearling vendors seeking out the high quality of stock on offer.
"We are very grateful to those that supported this sale with exceptional quality, many of whom were duly rewarded with great results in the sales ring."
The focus now shifts to broodmares with more than 300 broodmares catalogued to go through the ring tomorrow.
"There are many Stakes-quality mares and countless opportunities at all ends of the market in the broodmare catalogue," Vivian said.
"It was only a few years ago that Dom Perion sold for $6,000 carrying G1-winner Extra Brut.
"The dams of Precious Gem and Music Magnate were also purchased astutely carrying the respective G1-winners in foal."
Day three of the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Sale begins at 10am at Oaklands Junction.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
To view the Inglis TV video on the retirement of legendary auctioneer Peter Heagney,CLICK HERE.
