BUYERS from South Africa had purchased 32 lots at the end Session One of the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands on Tuesday. The average price at  the sale jumped up almost 10% from last year.

“Although we catalogued 26 less yearlings in this year’s Session One the gross is up thanks to a healthy increase in the average price to $79,000,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.

“It has still been a very selective market, which is shown in the results with the better types and progeny of the top sires selling well.

“Last year’s sale we sold 25 Passed-In lots from Session One privately after the end of day three, so similarly we expect this year’s clearance rate to push through 80% in the coming days,” said Webster.

408 yearlings have been sold for $32,079,912 over the past three days, leading to an average of $78,627, median of $60,000 and clearance rate of 76%.

Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock was one of the most active international buyers, securing eight lots for $AU678,00 at an average of$84,750. 

Malherbe’s buys included a beautiful chestnut colt by Galileo (lot 199), the first foal of a well-related mare by Danehill Dancer, as well as a Rock Of Gibraltar filly (Lot 212), from a mare whose two previous foals are both five-time winners, one a stakes performer.

 Unnamed Galileo colt (Lot 199).

Unnamed Rock Of Gibraltar filly (Lot 212).