There is an element of genius in using the 2018 Classic Yearling sale to launch the new Riverside Sales Complex, writes Renée Geelen.
The combination of using Australia’s fastest growing sale, with an extended catalogue, and the launch of an exciting new location is one that will draw people from across the racing and breeding industry. And, with 800 yearlings by 109 sires, the old adage of ‘a horse for every buyer’ certainly rings true for this sale. The 2018 Inglis Classic sale catalogue screams variety, from the great stallions to the stallions with great potential, all having yearlings on parade for buyers.
These sires include reigning Champion Sire Snitzel, as well as proven stars I Am Invincible, Choisir, Exceed And Excel, Fastnet Rock, Written Tycoon, Hinchinbrook, Not A Single Doubt, Pierro, Savabeel, Sebring and Star Witness with yearlings in the catalogue, as well as 21 First Season Sires such as Adelaide, Brazen Beau (himself a Classic graduate), Deep Field, Dissident, Hallowed Crown, Olympic Glory, Rubick, Shooting To Win, Toronado and Wandjina.
The Classic Sale has a reputation to envy for buyers wanting to find gold at the end of the rainbow. Current Gr1 Golden Slipper winner She Wil Reign (sold for $20,000, earnings to date of in excess of $3 million) came from the 2016 sale, while Gr1 winners I Am a Star ($40,000, earnings of $1.19 million), Yankee Rose ($10,000, earnings of $2 million), and Extreme Choice ($100,000, earnings of $1.7 million and worth a packet at stud) all came out of the 2015 sale. Gr1 winners and stallions such as Brazen Beau and Bel Esprit are also Classic graduates. No wonder buyers flock to this sale in ever increasing numbers with Gr1 graduates such as these. And that's without listing the group and listed winners, or the many tough city class gallopers who give their owners many raceday thrills.
Last year’s sale graduates are only part way through their 2YO season, and many are only just getting named. But one already looks the goods, with three starts over spring – all in stakes company – for two wins and a second. Setsuna (by Choisir) won the Gr3 Ottawa Stakes in November, and her future looks bright. There are already four other stakes horses from last year’s catalogue, giving buyers plenty of potential graduates to keep the excitement buzzing.
The 2018 catalogue includes the progeny of 60 stakes-winning mares, including Platelet, Heavenly Glow, Fill The Page, Irish Darling and Hidden Kisses; as well as the relatives of 63 stakes-winners including reigning Victoria Derby winner Ace High, superstar sprinter Brazen Beau, Setsuna (mentioned above), In Her Time and Gr1 winners Japonisme, Good Project and Amanpour.
Last year, Inglis launched the Gold Riband session which was an overwhelming success, and this will session will again be the the opening night of the extended Inglis Classic Sale.
With all yearlings offered at this sale being eligible for the lucrative $6 million Inglis race series, there are literally millions of reasons to get yourself to Riverside at 6pm on February 10 for the beginning of all the action.
