It was an incredibly strong sale at Inglis Easter 2021 but as the old saying goes: “They can’t all be expensive!”
A record 22 lots realised at least $1 million over the two days of selling while seven sires averaged more than half a million dollars.
If nothing else, the exorbitant prices revealed how far buyers are now willing to stretch for a precocious type.
The yearling market seems to be at its absolute zenith where the divide between prices and real value has never been greater.
So we made the financially prudent decision to focus on the lower end of the market. Invariably, the cheaper horses were not as physically advanced as their more expensive peers but had just as much style and quality bloodlines.
Immaturity in yearlings is ultimately irrelevant because how long it takes a horse to get to raceday has no correllation to their ability – just ask the late Bart Cummings who famously once said: “Patience is the cheapest thing in racing and the least used.”
And so we came away with two yearlings from Easter 2021: a MERCHANT NAVY colt for $120k and a ZOUSTAR filly (main picture) for just $20k.
There is a heartwarming backstory to the MERCHANT NAVY colt. The mother ROSES FOR DEB tragically died after giving birth but the foal was saved by the staff at Fernrigg Farm in the most extraodinary circumstances. See the story in the video below:
See below for photos, videos, pedigrees and trainer quotes on our two purchases from Inglis Easter 2021.
NB: Prices include GST, vetting, insurance, transport from the sales complex, and the usual regulatory items.
Lot 51 – MERCHANT NAVY x ROSES FOR DEB (HIGH CHAPARRAL) colt
Share price: $3,875 (2.5%)
Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted
“I love buying from daughters of good racemares and this colt’s grandam CHINCHILLA ROSE was certainly that, winning Group races as a 2YO, 3YO and 4YO. This colt is a good boned, strong first foal from a real running family.” – Steve O’Dea.
Lot 460 – ZOUSTAR x OCEAN STORM (STREET SENSE) filly
Share price: $1,050 (2.5%)
Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted
“Every trainer wants a ZOUSTAR in their stable so to get one for this price was very savvy buying. The reason we got her so cheaply was simply because she’s going to need time to mature. Other than that, she’s a beautiful filly with a deep pedigree.” – Steve O’Dea.
NB: Prices include GST, vetting, insurance, transport from the sales complex, and the usual regulatory items.