The Australasian yearling sales season gets underway in January and with cost of living pressures presenting the likelihood of a testing market for vendors there may be good opportunity for investors seeking to get ahead of the curve by acquiring a quality filly for the future.
The past 12 months have seen the price of top class fillies and mares coming out of racing continue to rise with nine mares selling for $1million or more at the 2024 Inglis Chairman’s Sale and four of the top five sold at that sale were purchased as yearlings in Australia.
A Group I winner at two and Group I VRC Oaks winner at three, She’s Extreme was bought by Tom Magnier for $3.4million and was sent to Kentucky to be covered by Justify to Southern Hemisphere time.
2024 Inglis Chairman’s Sale
|
Mare |
Sire |
Yearling Price |
Prizemoney Won |
Chairman’s Sale Price |
|
She’s Extreme |
Extreme Choice |
$275,000 |
$1.6million |
$3.4million |
|
Tutta La Vita |
The Autumn Sun |
$300,000 |
$521,100 |
$3.2million |
|
Kimochi |
Brave Smash (Jpn) |
$21,000 (weanling) |
$1.9million |
$2.2million |
|
Autumn Ballet |
The Autumn Sun |
$340,000 |
$330,700 |
$1.6million |
At the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale 14 mares sold for $1million or more and again four of the top five were purchased as yearlings highlighted by I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz.
A ten time Group I winner, NZ Horse of the Year and Champion Australian Sprinter, she was the most expensive mare sold in Australia in 2024 and set a new record price for a broodmare sold at public auction in this country when selling to Yulong for $6.6million.
2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
|
Mare |
Sire |
Yearling Price |
Prizemoney Won |
MM National Broodmare Price |
|
Imperatriz |
I Am Invincible |
$360,000 |
$6.9million |
$6.6million |
|
Platinum Jubilee |
Zoustar |
$600,000 |
$551,000 |
$3.5million |
|
Madame Pommery |
No Nay Never (USA) |
$150,000 |
$866,800 |
$2.7million |
|
Ruthless Dame (NZ) |
Tavistock |
$90,000 |
$1.2million |
$2million |
There were also some massive results through online sales with the biggest of those being Extreme Choice’s Group I winning daughter Espiona, who was purchased by FBAA member Brett Howard for Star Thoroughbreds originally at Magic Millions for $190,000 and sold to Yulong for $4.15million in July through Magic Millions Online.
She won $3.3million on the track providing an exceptional return for her large syndicate of owners.
The price of premium racemares coming off the track and heading to stud in the Northern Hemisphere has also been through the roof in 2024 with 10 mares selling for 1million guineas or more at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which was topped by Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me at 4.8million guineas and 25 were sold at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale for US$1million or more with Frankel’s Group I winner McKulick the highest priced at US$6million.
Elite mares are a global currency and opportunities are set to abound in Australia over the next few months for savvy investors looking to get in on the ground floor in a very accessible and ultimately very lucrative part of the bloodstock market.
FBAA members are all too happy to offer expert advice and assistance with selection and inspections during the upcoming Australasian sales season.
There are 30 current accredited FBAA members, click for the full list with contact details.
