The Southern Hemisphere’s most prestigious bloodstock Sale, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, begins this Sunday April 20 at Newmarket, Sydney.

In all, 502 of Australasia’s finest young horses are catalogued to be sold across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with a brand new Select Session II of 195 yearlings set down for Thursday, April 24.

The Inglis Australian Easter Sale is the most important sale of yearlings in Australasia and attracts buyers from all points of the globe. This years big spenders are expected to be Darley who recently purchased Woodlands Stud in a multi million-dollar deal, Nathan Tinkler who has already spent in excess of $30 million on yearlings this year and Bob Ingham is expected to purchase yearlings for his new trainer Chris Waller.

The 2008 Easter Sale includes a three-quarter-sister to three-times Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, along with siblings to multi million dollar earners like Racing To Win, Alinghi, Eremein, Grand Armee and Shogun Lodge. Half-relations to Hong Kong Champions Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom will also be keenly sought after by buyers.

The past two Golden Slipper winners Miss Finland ($450,000) and Forensics ($900,000) have both been sold at Easter and this year’s race includes no less than six graduates from last year’s Easter Sale – Reaan ($375,000), Krupt ($450,000), Von Costa De Hero ($1.2million), Related (P/I $350,000), Portillo ($850,000) and Burgeis ($160,000).

Saturday’s $3.5million Golden Slipper will feature a number of runners related to horses catalogued to be sold at the Inglis Easter Sale – these include a full-sister to Reaan, full-brother to Related, a three-quarter brother to Burgeis, a half-sister to Over The Wicket and half-brother to Portillo, which is sure to be one of the sale toppers.

Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, whose progeny averaged $660,000 at this sale last year, is represented by 75 yearlings in the catalogue, while the current leading Australian stallion, Encosta De Lago, has 62 Easter babies.

Last year’s sale saw 447 young horses sell for a gross of more than $148million at a stunning average of $331,935. These included a record 23 yearlings that made $1million or more. The highlight was a Rock Of Gibralte-L’On Vite colt which was knocked down to Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse for $3million.

The Australian record mark of $3million was also achieved in 2006, with a son of Redoute’s Choice sold to leading South African trainer Charles Laird for the same amount.

With the Australian thoroughbred industry making a resilient recovery from last year’s equine influenza disaster, similar type fireworks are expected this week, with Inglis compiling its best ever Easter catalogue.

Attached is a list of anticipated highlights.

For more information, please contact:
Matt Rudolph, Commercial Development Manager
Ph: (02) 9399 7999 or mobile 0438 628 102
Or email matt.rudolph@inglis.com.au