News

Snitzel filly tops Day 2 of Premier at $925,000

4th Mar 2024

A sister to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes placegetter and former sale-topping Inglis Premier graduate Bruckner today realised a sale-high $925,000 at Oaklands.

Lot 314 – a Snitzel x Jestajingle filly of Blue Gum Farm – sold to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, topping not only the Day 2 action but the overall Book 1, which concluded this afternoon.

The filly was always going to attract the attention of many parties at Oaklands who had seen her this week but vendor Sean Dingwall was still blown away by the strength of the bidding and the end result.

“Unbelievable,’’ a delighted Dingwall said.

“When we brought her here we always thought she would be well liked because she’s a lovely filly and her family has had a real connection with the sale but the way it all played out, it’s a wonderful result all round.’’

The price also shocked Hawthorne, who while adamant he was taking the filly (pictured) – who is to be trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman – home, was hoping to do so for less money.

“It was more than we expected we’d have to pay but she definitely stood out on the sales ground as the best horse on the complex,’’ Hawthorne, who bought the filly on behalf of GSA Bloodstock’s Jonathan Munz, said.

“We haven’t bought in the sale ring for a few years under GSA and I don’t want to get carried away but this filly, they don’t come along like this very often so we thought we’d have a crack at her. She has one of the best pages in the book and then you get here and she matches physically and away you go.

“I watched her a lot this week and she just seemed to get on with the job. They’re the ones you can see fronting up in the autumn 2YO races in Melbourne and Sydney and if all goes to plan, you’ve got a good type for a broodmare as well.’’

Today’s second-top lot came in the form of the last yearling to enter the ring, a Zoustar x Swiss Rose colt of Segenhoe Stud.

There were plenty of big name buyers still in the Oaklands auditorium waiting to get their hands on the quality colt but it was Olly Koolman who was the winning bidder, paying $650,000.

The colt was purchased for Hong Kong client Philip Liu.

When asked if he thought he might get the colt for cheaper given it was the final lot of the day, Koolman said: “No. It’s no help at all for a buyer. We’re not surrounded by idiots. These guys are pretty smart. I’ve often been asked ‘should we buy early? Should we buy late? It’s a myth, it really doesn’t matter, vendors don’t choose the lot number and nor should we.

“He’s a lovely, big, strong, athletic colt, it’s a bit of a rare combination size and athleticism but he seems to have it.

“Philip is certainly prepared to back our judgment and I just hope we don’t let him down.’’

Segenhoe’s Peter O’Brien added: “He’d had 18 vets and he’s a beautiful animal, all the right people were on him and we certainly didn’t expect to get that much, being the last lot of the day, so we’re absolutely delighted.

“We had a draft here but we didn’t have a marquee horse for our draft and we thought we’d bring him down and he’d stand out more and it worked! Inglis did a great job marketing this sale. The crowds have been unbelievable, we couldn’t be happier.’’

At the conclusion of today’s Book 1 action, the sale average sits at $132,693, median of $100,000 and clearance of 76%.

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was satisfied with the overall results, noting the significant growth in clearance for Day 1 of the sale over the past 24 hours.

“There is no doubt that the demand for quality stock that vetted well has been particularly strong, as evidenced by the past couple of days,’’ Hutch said.

“But if vendors are presenting something for sale that has chinks in the armour of the eyes of the buying bench, it’s a lot tougher to sell those horses.

“We are pleased to have the clearance rate for Day 1 reach 80% and continue to grow and we’ll be working hard with vendors and buyers for more of the same with those passed in from Day 2.

“The Showcase Session tomorrow offers more opportunities for people looking to find value in the market, particularly those looking to take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the VOBIS scheme.”

To enquire about a passed in lot from today’s action, contact Will Stott from the Inglis Bloodstock team on 0408 126 952.

The Premier Yearling Sale continues tomorrow with Book 2 selling beginning at 10am.

If you can’t be at Oaklands, all the action will again be broadcast live on the Inglis website and Facebook page via our Sale Day Live coverage from 9.30am.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

PREMIER SALE STATISTICS END OF DAY 2 – (2023 stats in brackets)

Lots Sold: 383 (373)

Clearance Rate: 76% (77%)

Average Price: $132,693 ($139,475)

Median Price: $100,000 ($100,000)

Top Price: $925,000 ($1,100,000)

Gross: $50,821,500 ($52,024,000)