A filly out of the Group 1 winner Amour De Frere NZ and sired by the French champion Ready Cash has sold at the Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale for $220,000, the highest price ever paid for a trotting yearling in Australia.
The second foal of her dam, she was offered by Pat Driscoll’s Yabby Dam Farms and bought by Josh Davine’s N40 Racing, a client of the now Brisbane-based conditioner Michael Brennan.
The amount smashed the previous mark of $170,000 set by the Father Patrick colt Basilica, also consigned by Yabby Dam Farms, at the Melbourne sale in 2021.
The top priced yearling on the day was a beautiful Art Major filly out of the $520,000 winning Rock N Roll Heaven mare My Mackenzie at $230,000. Offered by Alabar Bloodstock, the filly, who is closely related to Vincent and Kept For Pleasure, was bought by Auckland couple Trent and Kristie Mason and will be trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
A total of six yearlings brought $100,000 or more, the three top prices being for fillies.
Other high priced youngsters were a filly by Somebeachsomewhere from the Oaks winner Momentslikethese, consigned by Alabar and knocked down for $200,000 to N40 Racing, a Bettor’s Delight colt from the Art Major mare Reachforthetill NZ, offered by Benstud Standardbreds and secured by leading trainer Emma Stewart for $110,000, a Captaintreacherous filly from Perfect Life, consigned by Bruce and Craig Cameron and bought by Joel Watson for $100,000 and the Benstud consigned Bettor’s Delight-Amelia Rose colt, who was bought by Jean Feiss for $100,000.
The Tactical Landing filly Aldebaran Emjay, out of the Kadabra mare Mason Magic and one of the Aldebaran Park draft, realised $82,500 on the bid of Robert Cross.
Among the biggest spenders were Josh Davine, who outlaid $450,000 for three lots, Aaron Bain Racing, Summit Bloodstock and TSR $218,000 for six, Joel Watson $215,000 for four, Emma Stewart $182,500 for four and Robert Cross $150,000 for three.
The sale grossed $3.35million for 103 lots sold at an average of $32,533. The clearance rate was 70 percent.
The fillies averaged $37,050 for 50 lots, while the colts averaged $28,240 for 52 lots.
The pacing stock averaged out at $34,645 for 62 lots sold and the trotters $29,341 for 41.
Nutrien Equine Standardbred manager Mark Barton said: “The Nutrien team was thrilled with the support from all States and New Zealand. Despite the tough economic climate, we have seen three horses make $200,000 or better and the setting of a new Australian record for the trotting gait.
“Both Sydney and Melbourne saw the fillies out average the colts for the first time since we’ve been in the market which suggests a strong focus on the future for breeders, racing and the sales alike. Any healthy industry has a strong filly market.”
The best presented awards sponsored by Woodlands Stud and BetaVet were won by:
Colt: Tall Dark Stranger-Minaj (Benstud Standardbreds)
Runner-up: Father Patrick-Vin Rouge (Yabby Dam Farms)
Filly: Art Major-My Mackenzie (Alabar Bloodstock)
Runner-up: Poster Boy-Artistic Pleasure (Llowalong Farms)
