Hearts are full with optimism and hope that future stars and potentially sires are in new hands and ready to embark on harness racing careers following the weekendās first Nutrien Equine Standardbred Yearling Sale.
More than $6.3 million passed hands across 203 lot sales at Oaklands Junction, of which 77 per cent were pacers and 23 per cent trotters, achieving a 75.46 per cent clearance rate and a $31,355 sales average.
It was a satisfying result for Nutrien Equineās Mark Barton, who caught up with Gareth Hall and Adam Hamilton for a post sale analysis (video below).
āA lot of money changed hands, itās a busy couple of days, but weāre really pleased with the way weāve been received by the market and the industry as a whole,ā Barton said. āSome really good highlights and a solid day.ā
The headlines belonged to lot 107, which was offered by Benstud Standardbreds, Peter and Zillla OāShea and John McGeechan, who earlier purchased Our Golden Goddess off Merv Butterworth at the end of a brilliant racing career that produced 17 wins from 29 starts and almost $450,000 in stakes.
Their investment quickly paid off, with her first colt ā byĀ Bettors DelightĀ ā fetchingĀ a sales topping $180,000, having been snapped up by renowned Melbourne owner Jean Feiss.
The colt will race for Hayden Cullen, now the trainer of what was previously Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussenās All Star Stables, who had long raced Feissā talented brood.
āWhen I got the book he was a lovely pedigree. Yesterday was the first time I had seen him and I liked him,ā Feiss said.
She said a big draw was that the colt was also eligible for New Zealandās sires stakes.
Leigh and Alison Miles produced the top priced filly, with their lot byĀ Captain TreacherousĀ out of You Ask Ally attracting a bid of $115,000.
You Ask Ally is an unracedĀ SportswriterĀ mare whose dam was Amarillen, making her a half-sister to Villagem ($626,585), Miss Graceland ($244,658), Nostra Beach ($266,190) and the brilliant broodmare Pixel Perfect, who in turn has produced the likes Soho Tribeca ($1,103,854) and Carlas Pixel ($480,128).
While the pacing sales topper looks set to head across the Tasman, the trotting sales topper may well be enjoyed for generations to come in Victoria, with plans for not only a racing but sire career.
Alabar shelled out $170,000 for lot 177, who was aĀ Father PatrickĀ colt out of Une Belle Allure.
Raced and bred from by Pat Driscollās Yabby Dam Farms, Une Belle Allure amassed $176,810 across her 25-start career, including a dynamic three-year-old season that captured four Group 1s.
Alabar General Manager Brett Coffey said the colt cost āa lot of money, but we loved himā.
Coffey said he viewed the yearling with Andy Gath, who will train him, āand he was a standout to usā.
āLooked over him a couple of times since, a few times here, and (Alabar owner) Alan (Galloway) looked at him yesterday, and heās just got a lot of presence about him. His looks match his page and that was important to us.
āNot many fillies win Derbies and (Une Belle Allure) won a Derby, she won numerous other races, (she’s) byĀ Angus HallĀ out of a French family ā a lot of nice things there, a lot of boxes being ticked.
āAll credit to Pat and his team. Theyāve done a terrific job with their horses. This guy we thought was the best, so we went pretty hard on him and ended up getting him.
āHopefully Andy can win some Group 1s with him and then he can retire to Alabar and stand at stud. Thatās the plan anyway.ā
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