It was Christmas in July at Oaklands this afternoon as the most expensive weanling ever sold at the Great Southern Sale delivered a remarkable result for Blue Gum Farm.
Lot 227 – a Zoustar x Vergara colt – realised $360,000, selling to BBT Breeding and Racing.
The colt was offered by leading Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm and eclipsed the previous sale record for a weanling of $310,000 set in 2017.
Campbell was “absolutely delighted with the price’’.
“He had a ripping good pedigree and was a ripping good style of a colt and he’s made a really handsome price,’’ Campbell said.
“This horse has been a bloody thorough professional all the way through.
“I’m emotional about the horse because he’s such a professional horse. I’m really excited to watch him race because he’s got a great brain and a great action.
“We targeted this sale with this colt, we kept the first two foals out of the mare but we thought this was a good opportunity to come to a strong market with a very strong individual and get a return and he’s definitely done that. It puts a spring in everyone’s step.’’
Today’s second top lot was a Deep Field x Passarelle colt which sold to Hunter Valley Bloodstock for $290,000.
He was offered by Rushton Park, on behalf of his owner Sally Watkins.
Watkins was at Oaklands to see the sale unfold and couldn’t believe the result.
“It’s absolutely incredible, I’m thrilled to bits,’’ a delighted Watkins said.
“There was a lot of interest in the horse, he had around 32 X-Ray hits, a lot of second and third and fourth lookers, all the big guys were on him which was great.
“My reserve was $120,000 and with the opening bid being $150,000 it just blew us all away so we’re very, very happy.
“To get a result like this is incredible, we’re going to go out tonight and have a big celebration!
“We’re blown away, really, it’s been fabulous, a huge thanks to Inglis for getting the sale happening with everything that’s going on everywhere at the moment.’’
Day 1 ended with 15 lots realising $100,000 or more and an average price of $35,457.
Inglis’ General Manager of Bloodstock Sales and Marketing Sebastian Hutch was full of praise for the efforts of buyers and vendors in contributing to a successful sale despite the difficult conditions.
“Given the trying circumstances, all participants have had to work particularly hard to make the sale happen, so it’s a relief to see so many positive results,” Hutch said.
“Buyers who have put their best foot forward and worked through their inspections have been rewarded by vendors putting plenty of nice horses in front of them and I have no doubt there will be a number of success stories to come out of this sale in years to come.
“There is certainly plenty of value to be found and that will continue to be the case through tomorrow, with the supplementary catalogue further complementing what was already a very appealing book.
“On top of that, we have some fantastic fillies and mares to offer tomorrow, including the sister to Incentivise, a quality race mare in Too Good Too Hard and mares in foal to the likes of Capitalist, Extreme Choice and Night Of Thunder.’’
If you wish to make an offer on a passed in lot from today’s auction, please contact Inglis’ Will Stott on 0408 126 952 or CLICK HERE.
The second and final day of the Great Southern Sale will commence at Oaklands at 10am tomorrow, Monday July 5.
The remainder of the weanlings will be offered before the race fillies and broodmares take centre stage.
If you are unable to attend Oaklands but wish to participate in the sale, Inglis’ online bidding platform will again be available, or you can contact a member of the bloodstock team.
To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.
