Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted March 2 Journalists Share Posted March 2 By Dane McLeod/Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ The 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale saw fireworks on day one, with two standout colts reaching the coveted A$1 million mark, igniting excitement at Oaklands Junction as they become only the fourth and the fifth horses to reach that significant mark at this particular sale. Lot 201 – Frankel (GB) x Heavenly Curlin (Curlin) (colt) – A$1,000,000 American John Stewart, under his banner of Resolute Bloodstock, joined forces with the McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) team to make a significant impact on day one, triumphing in an intense bidding war for Lot 201 and securing the Frankel colt for A$1 million. The colt is the second foal of Group 3-winning American mare Heavenly Curlin and he comes from the esteemed family of Redoute's Choice (Aus). It was a major moment for Rosemont Stud, as he became only the second horse they have ever offered to reach the A$1 million mark. Anthony Mithen proudly stated, “Unbelievable. Proud of the horse, proud of the farm, proud of the staff, and Kelsie, our yearling manager. I know what they will be doing in our row right now–they will be going mental. “To achieve a result like that on your home deck–in football terms, we're playing at home this week–and it feels pretty good with the black shorts on. “I'm still shaking a bit. It's a lot of money, and it takes a lot to get your horses here. You held your breath on multiple occasions, but we got there. It's a sense of relief but also a great sense of achievement.” He added, “John Stewart–I hope he's having a party somewhere in the world. He's a world force. He's my sort of guy, especially when he's got a million to spend on a Rosemont yearling. “He was a horse that we really thought would be a headliner here in Melbourne. We want to support our backyard–we are proudly Victorian–and we feel like we're doing some good things for the Victorian breeding and racing industry. You've got to put your best horses where your mouth is when you say those things and back it up with your stock.” Calvin McEvoy was understandably thrilled, saying, “He was a star colt from the first time I saw him. “He's by Frankel, who is a star stallion, and he has a lovely American family. I would like to acknowledge and thank John Stewart for backing us–it's great to have him on board. “We love everything about him. He handled the sale so well and we are excited to have him. He is a blue-chip investment.” Another $1 million dollar lot! Lot 201 (Frankel x Heavenly Curlin) from @RosemontStud sells to @resracingky / @jstewartrr for $1,000,000. Congratulations to all involved in the colt. #InglisPremier pic.twitter.com/89TjQsnnSL — Inglis (@inglis_sales) March 2, 2025 Lot 197 – Toronado (Ire) x Hardly Surprising (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) (colt) – A$1,000,000 Toronado has long been an outstanding stallion, enjoying numerous highlights both on the racetrack and in the sales ring. However, a new high came on Sunday afternoon when his colt, Lot 197, from the draft of Gilgai Farm, sold for A$1 million to the bid of Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Hong Kong Bloodstock. This athletic colt is the fifth foal out of the Group 3-placed All Too Hard mare, Hardly Surprising, who has already produced the winner The Swooper (Aus) (Divine Prophet {Aus}). He is part of the crop where Toronado served his first book of mares at an A$88,000 fee (inc. GST), and breeder Rick Jamieson was ecstatic with the unexpected price. He said, “I would have been rapt with getting about four times his service fee, so the price was very unexpected. I just love Toronado.” The co-purchaser Andrew Williams expressed his excitement, saying, “It's very special to buy a horse like this. We probably expected to be in that price bracket, and we knew he was going to get there quickly–it was just a matter of when it would stop. “All I can say is I'm very grateful to be able to buy a horse like this. He's a bloody ripper and he comes off a very good nursery in Gilgai. I went back to 2018 when Masked Crusader sold here, found the picture of him and the walking video, and they look very similar. “He's been purchased for a Hong Kong client who has some really good horses up there at the moment, and we joined forces with Anthony Fang from Hong Kong Bloodstock. “We had been waiting for this horse–we purposely didn't buy at Magic Millions, we purposely didn't buy in New Zealand or Classic. We've been waiting for this horse. He added, “I have seen him every day since Tuesday, and he's only gotten better and better, I think. Unbelievably forward horse, a lot of strength about him, fantastic head, unbelievable temperament–he's handled it so well. “Rick Jamieson has bred some bloody good horses in his time. We put a lot of faith in those good nurseries. He will go to New Zealand next week to be gelded and then get broken in, and then we will see how he goes.” Wow! Lot 197 (Toronado x Hardly Surprising) from the @GilgaiFarm draft sells for an incredible $1,000,000 to @AWilliamsBldstk! All the best to those involved with this colt! #InglisPremier pic.twitter.com/ixXsU97lIT — Inglis (@inglis_sales) March 2, 2025 At A Glance Day 1 of the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale saw 177 of the 283 lots offered sold, recording a clearance of 70 per cent. The figure is slightly below Day 1 of the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where 187 lots sold at a clearance rate of 74 per cent at the close of day–a rate which rose to 86 per cent after several days. Day 1's gross amount of A$26,142,000 is almost the same as the Day 1 aggregate of A$26,124,000 in 2024, which was down from the 2023 Day 1 figure of A$28,215,000. The 2025 Day 1 average was A$147,695 higher than the A$139,701 at the same point in 2024, with a median of A$110,000 up from 2024's Day 1 figure of A$105,000. These compared favourably to 2023's average and median figures of A$136,966 and A$100,000, respectively. Two colts made seven figures, both at A$1 million each, to top the day's proceedings, being Lot 197 a Toronado (Ire) colt from Hardly Surprising (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) sold by Gilgai Farm to Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Hong Kong Bloodstock, and Lot 201 a Frankel (GB) colt from Heavenly Curlin (Curlin) sold by Rosemont Stud to Resolute Racing, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock. The leading buyer by aggregate on Day 1 was Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu who bought five horses for A$1.28 million, while the leading buyer by average (TWO or more bought) was Yulong who purchased two yearlings for a total of A$660,000 or an average of A$330,000. Yulong were the leading vendors by aggregate on Day 1, selling 17 yearlings for A$3.17 million, while Gilgai Farm was the leading vendor by average (two or more sold) with an average of A$367,500 achieved for their four horses sold. Courtesy of their joint sale toppers, Toronado (Ire) and Frankel (GB) lead the sires by aggregate and average with Toronado selling five yearlings for a total of A$1.91 million and Frankel's pair achieving a sum of A$1.36 million which gave him an average price of A$680,000. With most other sales this year having either a colt or filly bias, it was interesting to note that the average price for colts was A$147,200 and the average price for fillies on Day 1 was A$148,300. The post Frankel and Toronado Colts Top Day One of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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