Deep Finish to Inglis Weanling Sale

Five of the eight highest-priced horses sold at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale went under the hammer May 2 as buyers' preparedness to up their budgets and risk appetite appeared to increase, with Fairhill Farm's Deep Field colt the session topper at AU$300,000 (US$199,010, AU$1=US$0.6633).

During almost four hours of trade, a Savabeel  filly also sold for AU$280,000, a Dundeel  colt made AU$270,000, and another colt by the now pensioned Newgate Farm stallion Deep Field made AU$255,000.

The brother to group 1 winner Captivant, which was part of the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds dispersal, was the sale's highest-priced weanling, making AU$625,000 late on Monday.

Day 2 averaged AU$57,149 ($37,910), up almost AU$6,500 on the extended 280-Lot Day 1 session, while the overall average was AU$52,431 ($34,781), the median was AU$30,000 ($19,901), and the clearance rate was 73%.

The Mike O'Donnell-bred colt by Deep Field, who came in for strong competition given the demand for his stock, particularly in Hong Kong, where he is the reigning champion sire, was bought by AB Bloodstock.

"I'm very, very pleased considering the current market conditions, we are overwhelmed with the result," O'Donnell said of the Deep Field colt. 

"We were expecting a good price. We thought we might hit $200,000, so it was exciting to hit $300,000. We went on the market at $150,000, so it was good."

Cataloged as Lot 437, the colt is interestingly bred, being the second foal out of Cribbage, a daughter of Eurozone which makes him 2×3 to Northern Meteor . Cribbage is a half sister to group 1 winner Good Project , Singapore stakes winner World Airlines and the stakes-placed Alacarte.

"It is an interesting story. We found it very difficult to get into foal to Deep Field and I sent this mare up who is by Eurozone," O'Donnell said. 

"I couldn't say that it was something that had a lot of thought behind it, but we got a hell of a result because he's a beautiful colt and he's by the right stallion, absolutely."

Fairhill Farm principal O'Donnell, who sells his entire foal crop as weanlings through the annual Inglis sale, claimed his sixth leading vendor title in succession by selling 25 of the 31 weanlings he offered for an aggregate of AU$1.838 million at an average of AU$73,520.

"I am very happy for them (pinhookers) to make plenty because they're the best adverts for us. In fact, it's disappointing if someone doesn't make plenty," he said.