We know these are uncertain times. Throughout the world governments are struggling to deal with a crisis that threatens not only our health, but the global economy and the stability of the bloodstock industry.
Aushorse CEO Tom Reilly writes that it is in this challenging environment that the Inglis Australian Easter sale will start on Sunday.
It is a sale unlike any in that company’s 153-year history.
Almost all the horses will remain at their farms until sold, while every bid will be made online or on the phone.
But some things remain the same. Like all Australian sales, breeders are happy to offer the best of their bloodstock: this catalogue has some 23 yearlings out of Gr1 winners and 41 lots that are siblings to Gr1 winners.
Another 125 yearlings are out of Stakes winners and some 120 are siblings to Stakes winners.
Of course, these yearlings will be available at a significant discount: as our vendors understand, this is not the ideal time to sell your best product. But it might be a very good time to buy.
The thoroughbred industry has strong foundations in Australia: one in every 244 people here owns a share in a racehorse, our prizemoney has soared 84% in the past decade, our per capita wagering on racing is the highest in the western world, and the returns for a stallion prospect are just as good as anywhere else.
Added to that, our horses are influencing the global industry. From our recently retired world champion, Winx, to the newest Hong Kong Derby winner, Golden Sixty, through to the sale topping colt at last year’s September sale, which was out of Australian mare Bounding.
And when the global bloodstock economy picks up, it will rebound strongly here.
Not just because of those strong foundations, but because the thoroughbred industry has strong government support in Australia and will be aided by significant stimulus spending.
So, yes, we acknowledge these are difficult times for all. But for some they may present an opportunity.
To inspect the Easter catalogue digitally click here and to register to bid click here
The Inglis Easter Yearling Sale will be conducted as a Digital Auction from April 5th – 8th, with no horses at the Riverside complex.
The bidding portal will be accessible through the Inglis.com.au homepage from April 5th at 10am, with each lot to sell sequentially in lot order from 10am Tuesday April 7th, completing on April 8th.
Inglis will host a trial Easter Yearling Sale this coming Friday, April 3 from 10am-3pm, whereby interested participants who have registered for online bidding will be able to test the online facility.
“While we have over 4000 registered users built up from our highly-successful twice-monthly Inglis Digital Online Auctions, there will obviously be new clients using the online portal for the first time for what is our first ever Easter Yearling Sale Online,’’ Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.
“This test auction on Friday will give them and everybody a chance to trial the software, get a feel for how the online auction platform works and make themselves comfortable so when the Easter Sale goes live at 10am Sunday morning, everybody will know how the process works and how simple it is.’’
(Times quoted are Australia)
