Widden Stud’s exceptional stallion Zoustar was the star on Day 1 of the Easter Yearling Sale, providing the top two lots and four of the top six on a day where blue chip fillies rose to the fore.
The Day 1 top lot was a Zoustar x Prompt Response filly from Widden, which sold to James Harron Bloodstock for $2.2m, making her the most expensive yearling sold in the Southern Hemisphere this year so far.
Harron described the filly (pictured) as “very, very special’’.
“Zoustar is absolutely flying and his fillies are doing an outstanding job as well. She was a standout in the sale for us and I’m very happy to get her,” Harron said.
“She is a great type, obviously a beautiful filly, lovely quality, fantastic depth to her and a really lovely action, just a very special filly.
“The family’s been bred up really nicely and it’s one of those pages that you might look back on in 10 to 12 years’ time and it’s thickened right out from what is a really tough, high-end race mare.
“We knew we’d have to push very hard for her so we did.’’
Thompson added: “They had to stretch a bit there to get her but she’s a gorgeous filly and one you would really stretch for. We always had really high expectations and you never really know but to see her sell the way she has is unbelievable.
“She presented so well all week and everybody who saw her, loved her, and you saw that around the ring with four or five serious teams playing well above the $1m mark.
“It was going to take someone with real belief and real conviction to buy her…so hopefully they’ve set themselves up with a bit of a legacy with such a beautiful filly.’’
Thompson was also delighted to see his star stallion Zoustar have arguably the best day of his career in a sales ring.
“We took a big position with him and have always had enormous belief so it’s very satisfying to see him doing what he’s doing and the way he’s sold today has been phenomenal,’’ he said.
Today’s second top lot was a Zoustar x Fundamentalist colt of Segenhoe Stud, which Coolmore’s Tom Magnier bought for $1.9m.
The colt will be trained by Chris Waller at Rosehill.
The result was a huge one for Segenhoe, with Peter O’Brien declaring: “The colt was off the charts during inspections, he’d had more inspections than any horse we’ve ever had at Easter, he was never in his box all week.
“We’re delighted, it’s a huge result. We had a reserve of $700,000 on him so we’re over the moon.’’
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier was equally thrilled.
“He’s a lovely colt, a great mover, it’s a family we all know and everybody just really liked him,’’ Magnier said.
“He floated around the sales complex all week, he’s a big strong horse with loads of quality and the whole team liked him.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a complex anywhere in the world as busy as it was at 11.50am here today so full credit to Inglis.’’
Coolmore will tomorrow offer the much anticipated Pierro x Winx filly, of which Magnier commented: “We’re extremely fortunate to have the Winx filly here and there’ll be fireworks here tomorrow afternoon.’’
Today’s third top lot – an I Am Invincible x Notting Hill filly - sold to Nick Wakim of Hilldene Farm for $1.8m.
She was offered by Yarraman Park on behalf of Craig Bernick and the filly will be trained by Ciaron Maher.
“Craig bought the mare out from America and sent her to Vinnie and what a great result. She’s just a smashing type, magnificent physical and from one of the great Australian families,’’ Yarraman’s Harry Mitchell said.
“Everyone’s happy, I mean it’s a great price, a huge price. We certainly weren’t expecting $1.8m, you never do but the really, really good ones always make more than you think they will.
“We thought she’d make $1m-plus, probably $1.2m so we’re delighted with the $1.8m, it’s very exciting.
“When they come out and look like queens, especially when it’s a special style of Vinnie filly, you’re talking Loving Gaby, Estriella, Tiz Invincible, Imperatriz, he’s a phenomenal sire of fillies and the big boys all went them and I can see why.’’
Wakim added: “It was more than I wanted to pay but I know the family well…and this was a beautiful filly and an opportunity to get back into the family.
“She’s the best filly I’ve seen for a long time as a matter of fact and one of the best two fillies I’ve seen ever.
“It was tense bidding but I’ll tell you when I want one, nobody can take me off it.’’
Day 1 ended with a gross of $63,975,000, average of $390,091 and median of $300,000.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was satisfied with how the day played out overall.
“We had 41 horses make $500,000 or more, up on 12 months ago, with the median holding steady at $300,000 and a clearance rate that improved throughout the day, so there is plenty to be positive about,’’ Hutch said.
“As has been the case through the year, the market was again selective, but there was great variety amongst the buyers, including a number of new buyers and horses that vetted well generally sold well.
“We have been blessed to have a strong group of horses throughout the catalogue and it was great to see that recognised by the buying bench, the Prompt Response filly from Widden in particular.
“We look to tomorrow now and what a special day that promises to be with the Pierro daughter of Winx as well as so many other highlights.’’
To enquire about a passed in lot from today’s action, contact Harry Bailey from the Inglis Bloodstock team on 0420 997 417.
The second and final day of the 2024 Easter Yearling Sale will begin tomorrow at 10am at Riverside.
It will again be broadcast live on the Inglis website and Facebook page via our Sale Day Live coverage from 9.30am.
Online Bidding and Make An Offer facilities will again be available on Day 2.
To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.
EASTER 2024 DAY 1 STATISTICS (2023 in brackets)
Lots sold: 164 (160)
Clearance Rate: 74% (77%)
Average Price: $390,091 ($409,500)
Median Price: $300,000 ($300,000)
Top Price: $2,200,000 ($1,750,000)
Gross: $63,975,000 ($65,520,000)
