Australia, 18 May 2009

More than $1million was traded on the opening day of the Inglis Melbourne Great Southern Weanling Sale on Monday, with the depth of the buying bench underlined by the excellent clearance rate of 93%.

"Overall, it's been a very strong start to the sale with buyers represented from every state in Australia and New Zealand," Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

"Typically, the good quality horses sold extremely well, but the satisfying part was the competition on all lots.

"At this stage it has been a very good result and I see no reason why it would drop off."

Today's opening weanling session saw 131 horses sell, with just the 10 passed in, for a gross of $1.06million at an average of $8,116.

In form stallion Lonhro stole the show today, providing the two top priced lots, which were both offered by Darley and purchased by Western Australia's Cape Falls Thoroughbreds.

The day's highest price was $57,500 for a filly from the King's Theatre mare Chiq Flick, who in turn is a daughter of the Group One winner Ma Chiquita.

A bay colt from the Quest For Fame mare Infatuated, from the family of Group One VRC Oaks winner Lovelorn, was later knocked down for $56,000.

A Bel Esprit filly from the stakes winning mare Belle Ball made $50,000, while Reset, God's Own and Churchill Downs each had colts sell for $40,000 during the session.

Statistics

Catalogued: 165
Withdrawn: 24
Sold: 131 (93%)
Passed In: 10 (7%)
Gross: $1,063,250
Average: $8,116
Median: $4000
Top Price: (Lot 50) $57,500