After some years in recession the South Australian yearling sale was resurrected in 2015.
After numerous requests from industry participants, BOTRA set about, under the guidance of then president Ray Holberton and the committee, to conduct a yearling and mixed sale.
The sale was held on a Wednesday evening, was very well attended and the lots that went through the ring ended up producing amazing results on the track.
Top lot was a trotting colt by Fling It who now races as Posseidon, (heat winner of Vicbred and runner up in the Need For Speed) who sold for $15,000, and the top priced filly, an Art Major filly, sold for $11,000 and raced as Arm A Princess (13 wins)
Other winners to come out of the sales conducted by SA BOTRA were Wroxton Steel, Star Corka, recent winner Bella Sofia, Aunty Lil, and Call Her Julie, just to name a few.
BOTRA, with the assistance of HRSA, conducted the sale for three years at Globe Derby Park, then in 2018 HRSA decided to take the sale to another level by moving to the more contemporary Magic Millions complex at Morphettville. In conjunction with this move HRSA initiated a Group 1 $100,000 race, `The Allwood’ for yearlings sold through the sale or otherwise made eligible by way of the non-sale entry category.
Many said this wouldn’t work, however, 12 yearlings that went under the auctioneers hammer in 2018 are now three-year-olds and have won races including, Hesashark (13 wins to date), Pandering, the inaugural winner of $100k The Allwood, Night Spirit, Son of Rayson etc.
From last year’s sale have come three winners already, namely The Sneaky Fox; impressive Bendigo winner Sheshell Rock and the very promising colt Northern Terror. Additionally, as of this Saturday, when the heats of the second ever THE ALLWOOD are conducted, 14 out of 36 graduates would have graced the starter this season as two-year-olds.
On Sunday March 15, the day after THE ALLWOOD Final, 35 yearlings will go under the hammer of Auctioneer Simon Jones at Magic Millions Complex in what has surely got to be “Australia’s best value sale.”
BOTRA has supported the sale every year and will once again be on hand to feed the troops bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast along with tea and coffee at no charge between 8.30 and 9.30.
Then, a full BBQ and soft drinks will be available for purchase from 9.30 until the start of the sale.
So why not come out early, inspect a yearling or two, enjoy breakfast and watch the Hygain Yearling parade which commences at 10am and stay on for an entertaining auction.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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