While the opening day of the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale again attracted huge crowds and solid trade, the Oaklands Junction ring came alight on Monday with the record for the highest priced yearling knocked out of the park.
By the time Gilgai Farm’s Lot 259, an I Am Invincible colt from the Encosta de Lago mare Soorena, had departed the scene, a new high of $1.4 million had been established.
Previously, the highest priced Melbourne yearling was $750,000 for an Exceed And Excel colt from the Three Bridges’ draft in 2008, but a determined Robbie Griffiths and equally determined Ciaron Maher soon saw that figure consigned to history’s dustbin.
Griffiths’ enthusiasm was predictable given that he trains the colt’s half brother, 2016 Group One Newmarket Handicap winner, The Quarterback, but Maher was relentless and eventually got the nod.
The colt is also a half brother to four other winners including Group Two ATC Tulloch Stakes winner, Philippi, and stakes-placed, The Rude Warrior.
Rick Jamieson’s Gilgai Farm, which also bred Melbourne graduate, Black Caviar, and, coincidentally, Maher’s Caulfield Cup winning mare, Jameka, had the honour of consigning the record-breaking colt.
Rick told Racing.com that he was absolutely thrilled with the result.
“I never expected it. I knew the horse would go well. Probably three months ago, I thought his value might be around the $600,000 to $800,000 mark.
“Certainly as the last week has progressed I thought it was going to go past there. I didn’t think it would get to a million.”
Rick indicated he will keep a share in his much-loved colt.
“I’m thrilled it’s going to someone in Victoria to be honest. I think he is good a horse that has come off the farm.To get the opportunity to go back in with a Victorian trainer is just super for me.”
In superb news for Victoria, the top 12 highest priced lots were all sold through Victorian vendors. Notably, two vendors with smaller drafts, Stockwell Thoroughbreds and Bombora Downs, both made the list (below).
Lot | Sex | Vendor | Sire | Dam | Purchaser | Purchaser Location | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
259 | Colt | Gilgai Farm, Nagambie | I Am Invincible | Soorena | Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | VIC | $1,400,000 |
425 | Colt | Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre | Snitzel | Consistency | Sun Bloodstock | VIC | $625,000 |
68 | Colt | Millford Thoroughbreds, Nagambie | Snitzel | Mightier | Little Kwok Hing Hung / Bahen Bloodstock | HONG KONG | $620,000 |
205 | Colt | Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Corinella | Not a Single Doubt | Rhodamine | Sun Bloodstock | VIC | $520,000 |
163 | Colt | Supreme Thoroughbreds, Romsey | Written Tycoon | Octangle | Hong Kong Jockey Club | HONG KONG | $500,000 |
496 | Filly | Supreme Thoroughbreds, Romsey | All Too Hard | Fuhrnatic | Little Kwok Hing Hung / Bahen Bloodstock | HONG KONG | $500,000 |
167 | Colt | Blue Gum Farm, Euroa | Lonhro | Original Choice | Aquanita Racing | VIC | $440,000 |
230 | Colt | Burnewang North Pastoral, Rochester | Snitzel | Seaside Home (USA) | Ellerslie Lodge | NSW | $400,000 |
245 | Colt | Stockwell Thoroughbreds, Diggers Rest | Fastnet Rock | Silent Cash | Hong Kong Jockey Club | HONG KONG | $380,000 |
495 | Filly | Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre | Zoustar | Fuddle Dee Duddle | C Roscoe / B Crawford | IRELAND | $360,000 |
524 | Colt | Bombora Downs, Bittern | Written Tycoon | Hot Spa | Aquis / Blue Sky Bloodstock | QLD | $350,000 |
240 | Colt | Gilgai Farm, Nagambie | Fastnet Rock | She's Got Gears | Mick Price | VIC | $340,000 |
Excerpts courtesy of Aushorse