Minsk Moment – today’s $400,000 Inglis Digital May (Late) sale topper – will remain with his incumbent trainer Chris Waller after being purchased by co-breeder and part owner Keith Biggs.
Offered by Waller on behalf of the horse’s ownership group which includes Coolmore and partners, talented 3YO Minsk Moment (I Am Invincible) was the subject of a fierce bidding duel that saw his price soar in the concluding stages before ending at $400,000.
When the virtual hammer came down, Minsk Moment was knocked down to James Bester Bloodstock, who was bidding on behalf of the WA-based Biggs, who has raced the likes of Doriemus, Dizelle and Serenade Rose etc.
“Keith bred the horse and sold him as a yearling but stayed in for 10% and when the decision was made by the ownership group to sell this time around, he was very keen to buy the horse outright and keep racing him,’’ Bester said.
“The horse will stay with Chris until after the spring at least, then Keith will decide whether to keep the horse in the Eastern states or take him back to Western Australia to see out his career.
“Keith still hopes to win Group races with the horse and then have him stand at stud somewhere. He is an absolutely beautiful horse and a particularly good moving one too, he’s run very well to date and Keith believes there is still significant upside.
“This is another fabulous result for Inglis Digital. I’ve used the platform often, I think it’s a fantastic platform, very user friendly and today was just another delightful experience.’’
Coolmore’s Racing Manager Rob Archibald added: “We’ve had significant recent success selling through Inglis Digital and just like we were earlier this month with the likes of Coastwatch and O’President and Starman and Cape Breton, we’re thrilled with today’s result of Minsk Moment realising $400,000.
“He’s a lovely, quality 3YO and while he no longer fits into our racing model, I’m sure Keith and the new owners will have a great deal of success with him.’’
The May (Late) Sale’s second-top lot was fellow 3YO Saint Tropez, who last raced in the G1 South Australian Derby less than a fortnight ago.
Offered by his trainer Lloyd Kennewell on behalf of the horse’s owners, Saint Tropez (Not A Single Doubt) sold to Singapore-based trainer Shane Baertschiger for $200,000.
Baertschiger confirmed the horse would be transferred to the stables of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and be given a spring preparation before deciding whether or not his racing future lies in Singapore or Australia.
“I think he’s a really good Kranji Mile/Singapore Derby horse here next year but for now he’ll stay in Melbourne, have a spring prep and just see where he measures up,’’ Baertschiger said.
“If he steps up and proves himself in the spring, he may well remain in Australia but if he appears to be a level or so down, then we can put him on a plane and get him to Singapore where I think he’ll be beautifully suited.
“If you put a pen through his Derby run last week and say he didn’t stay the trip, I think his form is very good and he could very well be a nice 4YO in a few months but the good thing is we have options with him.’’
Saint Tropez was Baertschiger’s first Inglis Digital purchase, but not through lack of trying.
“I’ve bid a lot on a lot of horses on the platform but I’d been blown out of the water prior to today,’’ the trainer said.
“It’s great to finally get one and I’m really happy.’’
Kennewell added: “I think it’s a really strong result for the ownership group. They’ve been on the journey with this horse since they purchased him as a weanling and he’s run some really great races for them but they decided he probably wasn’t going to make a stallion so were more than happy to list him on Inglis Digital.
“He’s a very good wet tracker and he has a fabulous temperament so the softer tracks and the travel factor should really play into his hands should he ultimately end up in Singapore.
“We wish the new owners all the best with him, I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun.’’
The strong results kept coming, with lightly-raced 3YO Kayobi (Maurice) realising $100,000 to Sam Kavanagh, Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse paid $95,000 for untapped Snitzel 3YO Prince Of Rome while Stakes performed mare Bedford Square (Tavistock) sold to Logan Salvadore for $90,000.
The Inglis Digital May (Late) Online Sale grossed $3,143,850 at an average of $11,558.
It is the 3rd consecutive sale to gross $3m or more and 30th consecutive to gross $2m or more.
It’s no surprise buyers see Inglis Digital as the No.1 place to buy their next winner online – this season alone graduates of the platform have won 2330 races in Australia for $33,076,910 prizemoney.
“We’re humbled by the quality of stock we are entrusted with to sell each and every sale and love nothing more than seeing fabulous results like we saw again this sale,’’ Inglis Digital’s Business Manager Nick Melmeth said.
“During these winter months last year the likes of Funstar ($2.7m), Every Rose ($1.3m), Joyous Legend ($1,025,000), Fasika ($920,000) etc all sold through Inglis Digital for huge results for their owners and the Arrowfield broodmare reduction which grossed more than $6.5m just last month is further evidence that offering quality stock through Inglis Digital can result in vendors realising significant gains.
“I’d urge owners and vendors who have sought-after mares especially to consider selling through Inglis Digital before the breeding season begins while the market is as strong as it is.’’
Entries for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Sale are now open and will close at midnight next Wednesday, June 1.
The sale will run from June 3-8.
To enter, CLICK HERE.
