Sensational opening day at Easter Sale

The 2006 Australian Easter Yearling Sale opened in spectacular fashion at Newmarket today with seven million dollar lots helping push figures through the roof.

Trading closed with 166 lots selling for gross receipts of $43,270,000 and average of $260,663, while the clearance rate was a phenomenal 90 per cent.

At the corresponding session last year 183 yearlings sold for $37,358,000, an average price of $204,142, this year’s figures representing gains of 16 per cent and 27.6 per cent respectively.

“It’s been an amazing day’s selling from the very kick-off and to sell seven horses over $1million in one day is just sensational,” said Managing Director Reg Inglis. “We’re very much looking forward to the next two days.”

The session topper was Redoute’s Choice’s $2million colt out of the Last Tycoon mare Urge To Merge, offered by Arrowfield Stud and bought by leading bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty.

The handsome bay is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Suntagonal out of a full-sister to former South African Champion two-year-old Tracy’s Element.

McAnulty said the horse was already syndicated and would head into training with David Hayes at Lindsay Park.

“He’s a nice big well-grown colt, who’ll not grow anymore, he’ll just head to David’s to fill-out
now.” said McAnulty.

Kiwi born McAnutly has recently relocated to Victoria and boasts many successes with Easter bought yearlings, most notably the multiple Group 1 winner and Champion 3YO Mouawad from the 1995 sale.

TOP TEN LOTS INGLIS AUSTRALIAN EASTER YEARLING SALE DAY 1
Lot Type Name Vendor Purchaser Price
128 B. C. Redoute’s Choice x Urge To Merge Arrowfield Stud Rob McAnulty NZ $2,000,000
51 B. C. Redoute’s Choice x Singles Bar Arrowfield Stud Freedman Bros $1,600,000
186 Ch. C Elusive Quality x Assertive Lass Twin Palms Stud John Ferguson UK $1,400,000
81 Br. F. Rock Of Gibraltar x Subterfuge Coolmore Stud David Ellis NZ $1,300,000
83 B. C. Redoute’s Choice x Surreal Thing Torryburn Stud Shadwell Australia $1,100,000
148 B. C. Giant’s Causeway x Wild Berries Coolmore Stud Charles Laird SA $1,000,000
200 B. C Zabeel x Better Succeed Cambridge Stud Terry Millard $1,000,000
82 B. F. Redoute’s Choice x Sunday Valentine Arrowfield Stud Shadwell Australia $900,000
173 B/Br. F. Rock Of Gibraltar x African Rain Tyreel Stud Woodlands Stud $750,000
84 Ch. C. Tale Of The Cat x Surrealist Coolmore Stud John Foote $700,000