06 February 2018 | APG Media
INCLUDING a national record, Sunday’s Australian Pacing Gold Ladbrokes Melbourne Sale produced some pleasing results.
By premier stallion Art Major from Group One producing dam Smyrna Duruisseau, Lot 223 was sold for a whopping $160,000.
The youngster not only fetched $60,000 more than the second highest lot, it was also an APG record price for a filly.
With four winners from five starters, Smyrna Duruisseau is the dam of 2017 APG champion Follow The Stars and last season’s talented freshman, Stefsbest.
Follow The Stars’ career was cut short after 29 starts – which netted 19 wins and nine placings for earnings of $707,237 – with the stallion standing at stud in Western Australia.
Interestingly, Follow The Stars will be represented by two colts and a filly at APG’s Perth Sale on March 4.
Melbourne’s highest priced colt was Lot 65, a son of Mach Three and feature winning mare Bettor Give It.
“Overall, I’m pleased with our Melbourne Sales results,” APG’s General Manager David Boydell said. “Attendance and buyer registrations were both very strong, and there was plenty of demand across most sectors of the market, particularly the middle market, which is reflected in the high clearance rates that we’ve achieved.
“Also pleasing was the strong demand for the fillies, with their sale average up by around 10 per cent on the previous year, with a clearance rate up by more than seven-and-a-half per cent.”
With the recent Brisbane sale also enjoying an increase in sales and clearance rates, the upcoming Sydney sale is predicted to attract some spirited bidding.
Scheduled for February 25, the sale includes 200 impeccably-bred yearlings.
“A number of buyers have also commented on the obvious strength of the Sydney catalogue and indicated they were careful not to go too hard in Melbourne because they’re keen to be active in Sydney,” Boydell said.
“Especially with the added attraction of the shift to Inglis’ amazing new sales complex at Warwick Farm.”
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