Of the 6 remaining reviews l’m doing on this topic, this, the South Australian Yearling sale may very well be the hardest. Not only given the fact that I’ve had a very active role in the sale, but the people/friendships that have been developed over the last 2 years, could get tested with this report.
While l will highlight some issues below, please be aware South Australia has a massive opportunity to create its own extremely successful sale, with a totally new and fresh approach never seen in the world before, buyers and vendors could well be the big winners. I do have faith in BOTRA and the new board of Harness Racing SA. Just imagine what a self-funded $80,000 Group 2 race for only 25 sales graduates and 20 non sale entries would do for Harness Racing in that state, SA hasn’t had a 2YO race stand up since February. This is possible right now and to think it will only take the same effort and cost as the reported $15,000 race the 2017 yearling will race for. No other state would ever come close to delivering a $80,000 Group 2 race without 1 cent coming from the yearling buyer, Worlds First! More on this later…
BOTRA SA set the sales date of Sunday 12th of February, which falls in between APG’s Melbourne and Sydney sales dates – this is a good move from where l sit.
26 lots made it into the catalogue (which needs a major make over) and with 2 yearlings withdrawn it’s not what we could call a big sales day. 14 different Stallions of mixed quality were represented on behalf of 16 different Vendors and 13 Preparers.
A very small number of Vendors/Preparers presented yearlings which were of a sub-standard. This was a bad look for all of us connected to the sale. Perhaps we have a need for some re-education on what’s acceptable before their entries should be entertained in the future. This was the lowest point of any sale I visited.
Going forward we can’t have yearlings showing up on the day without anyone connected to the sale checking the low standard of these Lots. South Australia can never let this happen again, otherwise this sale is not going to survive.
Adrian Hancock was the auctioneer on the day and not a better bloke could BOTRA have on board. He is an outstanding fella that gives so much to this sale and he is an extremely important asset to the event moving forward.
I have a major issue with vendors biding on their own horses at a public auction. Running up the prices on legitimate buyers, it makes me feel sick, I can’t cop it. Now under the rules of this sale it is totally within the rights of the vendors to do so. It’s not their fault the terms and conditions allow this. It must be stopped otherwise this sale is dead in the water. A reserve system that protects the rights of the seller is a perfect balance to this problem and I can’t for the life of me work out why it’s not done like this.
Please see the list of buy backs below:
| Lot 1 | Colt | Cullens Legacy | Dream Lady | Peter Biddell | $1,000 | Peter Biddell |
| Lot 4 | Filly | Auckland Reactor | More Glory | Tony Peacock | $5,000 | Tony Peacock |
| Lot 13 | Filly | Mach Three | Preponderance | Wyndown Stud | $14,000 | Wyndown Stud |
| Lot 15 | Filly | Roll With Joe | Priscilla Presley | Shane Loone | $9,000 | Shane Loone |
| Lot 22 | Colt | Cullens Legacy | Wallispa | Peter Biddell | $1,500 | Peter Biddell |
| Lot 25 | Colt | Alta Christiano | Nowyouseemestar | Shane Loone | $13,000 | Shane Loone |
| Lot 26 | Colt | Cullens Legacy | Heart Of Valley | Franca Carbone | $2,000 | Franca Carbone |
Buying back an Alta Christiano yearling at $13,000 will also remain a little bit of a mystery to me, however they may know something we don’t about this well presented lot.
Non-sales entries can also help the above issues and BOTRA did try that this year. However without clear rules and what’s really on offer with these entries, I still don’t know what the 2017 yearlings will be eligible to race for. Someone needs to clarify these rules and drive for greater uptake of this offer. It failed to take off this year with only 2 breeders paying up for the deal. This is an easy fix and l’m sure next season you will see a full allocation of 20 breeders sign up for non-sale entries from in and outside of South Australia.
Even with the issues above SA BOTRA have done a mighty job stepping up to the plate to resurrect this sale. They are a not for profit organisation that survives on people donating their time, money and energy. My issue is not with them, it’s with the old SA board and their management that showed zero interest in this sale and its unacceptable to me that this would be the case.
BOTRA’S lack of support from head office stills hurts my brain. The Saturday night before the sale had nothing in place to help the event the following day. Wouldn’t it be great for Harness Racing SA programming a strong race card the night before with some good entertainment and a yearling parade between races to build some excitement.
Please see the 17 sold lots below
| Lot | Sex | Sire | Dam | Vendor | Price | Buyer |
| Lot 2 | Filly | BG’s Folly | Something Spicy | Peter Olds | $1,000 | BOTRA As Agent |
| Lot 3 | Colt | Cullens Legacy | Mirra Mirra | Rebecca Guerds | $5,500 | Frank Borg |
| Lot 5 | Filly | Art Official | Ivanka | Danielle Helbers | $3,250 | Peter Borelli |
| Lot 6 | Filly | Changeover | Concorde Crest | Mark Carey | $9,500 | Rocca Mussolino |
| Lot 7 | Colt | Million Dollar Cam | Enjay Superstar | Peter Olds | $3,500 | Mario Mussolino |
| Lot 8 | Filly | Falcon Seelster | Phyl Crocker | Walk Proud Pty Ltd | $12,000 | William Hartwig |
| Lot 9 | Filly | Auckland Reactor | Lombo Viva Lamore | Andrew Smith | $4,000 | John Malthouse |
| Lot 10 | Filly | Auckland Reactor | Dilingent Miss | SA BOTRA | $4,750 | Desmond Pope |
| Lot 11 | Filly | Smiling Shard | Ima High Rolla | Patrician Park | $9,000 | P Fuller |
| Lot 12 | Colt | Smiling Shard | Whats Amy Got | Peter Olds | $5,750 | Michael Leard |
| Lot 16 | Colt | All Speed Hanover | Gripnrip | Peter Olds | $7,000 | Don Lee |
| Lot 17 | Colt | Alta Christiano | Rivergum Magic | Rivergum Lodge | $9,250 | Boris Devcic |
| Lot 18 | Colt | A Rocknroll Dance | Party Time Girl | Andrew Smith & B Godfrey | $12,000 | Ray Erhert |
| Lot 19 | Colt | Auckland Reactor | Seymour Lady | Tony Peacock | $8,500 | Lachlan Cormack |
| Lot 20 | Colt | Cullens Legacy | Cold Shoulder | Peter Biddell | $3,000 | Desmond Pope |
| Lot 21 | Colt | Blissful Hall | Tyalla | Peter Olds | $4,750 | Denyel Jordan |
| Lot 24 | Filly | Smiling Shard | Riverside Oakes | Alabar Bloodstock | $9,000 | P Cluse |
| $112,000 | ||||||
| Ave | $6,588 |
I’m of the view South Australia needs to try something very much outside of the box with a clearance rate of 70% and an average of $6,588. I freely admit what I’m about to outline may not sit well with everyone. However, I’ve come to the conclusion it’s now or never to save this sale and change the direction Harness Racing in SA is headed. Please note BOATRA SA should be extremely proud of their efforts and the below is to build on their great initiative in bringing back this sale when all other parties had no interest what so ever.
- BOTRA needs to form a partnership no matter how hard it will be with Harness Racing SA to run this sale going forward. A yearling sale board needs to be set up that includes representatives from BOTRA, Board members of Harness Racing SA and the CEO John Lewis. All parties must give this their best shot.
- A media co-ordinator needs to be put in place – one who can drive the message to not only connect with the current supporters of the sale but to tap into new opportunities both at home in SA and across the border in Vic – with a massive focus to find new owner groups. This role needs to have a pleasant, helpful and professional attitude to improve on some of my past experiences of head office.
- A Reserve selling system needs to be adopted immediately
- The sale needs to be capped at 25 quality lots for a couple of years. A fee of $800 per yearling should be paid by the vendors to enter the sale. The board needs to provide the appropriate marketing strategy to make certain this entry fee becomes real value for money. A 10% commission will be charged to the vendors and no fees or charges for the buyers for the 25 yearlings to be made eligible for the race. Free transport of yearlings heading home with Victorian buyers should be made available.
- Having Harness Racing SA put on a major race night and moving the sale to the Saturday night where lots will be sold between races should be implemented. I can share some creative new ways these yearlings can be viewed (and bid on ) all over Australia and New Zealand while being sold, if the new board backs this idea.
- A 3 year sponsorship deal needs to be found for the race series – which I could assist the board achieve with a new possible sponsor waiting for the above to be put in place.
- Non-consigning entries (limited to 20) must be found and at a fee of $1500 this is not a difficult sell, if the race stakes are appropriate.
- Harness Racing SA needs to guarantee a minimum of a $80,000 (Group 2) race, with all proceeds from the sale and the non- consigning entries paid over in full to the race series.
I really believe South Australia is in a unique situation where they can capitalise on some gaps in the yearling market and nothing would make me happier if they can turn the Sale and exciting race into a successful event. Harnessbred.com is more than happy to do whatever we can to make this a reality.
It’s a C+ for me on this event.
Sydney will be the next sale on the list
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
