Inglis sale to begin with modest expectations

Yearling consignors are optimistic ahead of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale

in Sydney after the dramatic downturn many feared did not occur at the Conrad

Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale last month. The heat wave that has gripped

much of southern Australia in recent days is expected to peak on the weekend and

Inglis has reshuffled its program, offering 120 lots commencing late Sunday

afternoon after initially scheduling a morning start. The Monday session --

where lots 121-397 will be offered -- is scheduled to start in the morning as is

Tuesday's session. Last year's Classic sale, disrupted by the equine influenza

crisis, resulted in 394 lots bringing A$12,648,136 at an average of A$32,102.

The Classic Yearling sale has built a reputation for value, boasting

graduates such as Choisir, who sold for A$55,000 and earned championship honors

in Australia and England. The sale has enjoyed a sensational year with Group 1

winners Whobegotyou (Street Cry [Ire]), passed in at A$17,500 and now the winner

of more than A$1.5-million; Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat), A$40,000; Triple

Honour (Honours List [Ire]), A$50,000; and Typhoon Zed (Zeditave), A$62,500. The

2009 catalog -- which includes drafts from major farms like Bellerive, Emirates,

Darley, Yarraman and Widden in addition to a large number of boutique vendors --

is comprised of 607 lots by 114 individual sires.

Inglis director Jonathan D'Arcy said the sale would continue to prove to be

the best value sale in Australia with indisputable results on the racetrack.

However, he argued that the 16 percent average drop seen at Magic Millions was

not valid and predicted Classic would experience a bigger fall.

"If you compare the first 900 sold at Magic Millions this year with the first

900 sold last year, the sale was actually down 30 percent," D'Arcy said. "And it

is not valid to say it was down 16 percent when fewer horses were offered in the

first four sessions compared with last year.

"Our thinking for the Classic sale is along these lines: that it could be

down 30 percent. That being said, results of Classic graduates on the racetrack

in recent years, and particularly the last 12 months, have been simply

outstanding and the Classic sale will continue to prove to be the best value

sale in Australasia."