3YO gelding Kosgei (The Autumn Sun) set a new Australasian record for a colt/gelding in a Digital Sale when realising $750,000 to the bid of Mr Daniel Yeung/Magus Equine in today’s Inglis Digital December Online Sale.
The Busuttin/Young trainee was the star attraction of the sale, having run an eye-catching fourth at his most recent start in the G1 VRC Derby at Flemington in early November.
Offered for sale having been fully vetted in line with Hong Kong Jockey Club protocols, Kosgei had a profile to appeal to Hong Kong-based buyers, with a Timeform rating of 108 from just 5 career starts to date.
For Magus Equine’s Willie Leung, the appeal of Kosgei was obvious as soon as he learned of his availability.
“I met with (Inglis Hong Kong Representatives) James Price and Alan Ho in Hong Kong in the days after the International Races and they advised me of the upcoming sale of Kosgei,” said Leung.
“They provided me with a comprehensive prospectus document on the horse which was very helpful and informative for me and my client.
“Mr Yeung and his trainer Michael Chang have enjoyed good success together recently and Mr Yeung was keen to support Michael with a nice young horse.
“Kosgei is obviously a top-class racehorse with a lovely pedigree and being a son of The Autumn Sun, he looks to have a nice profile to develop into a Hong Kong Derby prospect as a 4YO.
“He will travel to Hong Kong in the next shipment and be given some time to acclimatize before starting his race career there.”
As for his experience of Inglis Digital, Leung was wholesome in his praise.
“Inglis Digital is a great platform for clients, particularly as it allows more time to study suitable horses in detail,” he said.
“I have been lucky enough to secure some nice horses through the platform in the past and hopefully Kosgei can go on to be a success for his new owner.”
For Kevin Payne, the successful owner in whose silks Kosgei has raced to date, the result of the sale was a pleasing one.
“I haven’t met a vendor yet who didn’t think their horse was worth more, but I’m pleased with the outcome,” said Payne.
“Inglis did a magnificent job with the promotion – it was very comprehensive – and the service right the way through the process was first-class.
“I would happily recommend Inglis Digital to anyone and I’m now looking forward to some of my exciting Inglis graduates, Tutta La Vita and Estriella, winning some nice races in the Autumn!”
The second-highest price for the sale was achieved by 6YO G3-winning mare Frumos (Kitten’s Joy) who was purchased by The Racing League for $245,000 following a spirited bidding duel between a number of parties.
“Our form guy is hard to please, but he is very excited about this mare, particularly with the Winter Carnival in Queensland in mind,” said Steve Brown of TRL.
“She’s a proven, high-class racemare who we believe is going to give the VIC Husslers a lot of fun.
“There are plenty of races with good prizemoney for a mare like her through the balance of the season and we think she’ll prove herself to be a very good value buy.”
Highlight results in the broodmare category include the sales of In My Feelings (Manhattan Rain) with a Stay Inside filly at foot for $220,000, Trust (Siyouni), in foal to Kingman, for $155,000 and Velours Bleu (Nicconi), in foal to Stay Inside, for $155,000.
Today’s sale grossed $5,261,700 to become the fourth Inglis Digital Online Auction of the year to gross in excess of $5m.
The tally of lots to realise $500,000 or more on Inglis Digital in 2023 reached 16 with today’s sale, while 53 lots have realised $200,000 or more on Inglis Digital this year.
For Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth, today’s sale was a fitting way to end what has been another fantastic year for the platform.
“Inglis Digital has had another excellent year,” said Melmeth.
“I must express my gratitude, on behalf of the whole team, for the incredible support that we continue to receive from the market – both vendors and buyers.
“We have worked hard to give the market confidence in the platform and that work is now being rewarded with us being afforded regular opportunities to sell stock of the highest quality.
“Today is another great example of that, with Kevin and Vikki Payne entrusting us with Kosgei, so to achieve a record-breaking result with him is very satisfying.
“We continue to invest in the further development of the platform and it’s not hard to be excited for the future.”
The first Inglis Digital Sale of 2024 will be the Inglis Digital January Online Sale, which will run from January 19-24.
Entries for that sale close on January 17. To enter a horse for the Inglis Digital January Online Sale, CLICK HERE.
