Snitzel topped the opening session of the Inglis Classic yearling sale on Saturday evening with a colt from Hussterics (Lot 17) that made $170,000.

Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) manager Louis Mihalyka bought the half-brother to Beneteau winners Lady Jivago (2015 Inglis 2YO Classic) and Hussterical.  The latter is trained by Gai Waterhouse and was placed at Warwick Farm & Canterbury before breaking through at Newcastle just hours before the start of the Sale.

The Sydney-based Mihalyka outlasted determined bidding from interstate agents to take home the well-related colt.  “I obviously liked his pedigree, and I really liked the currentness of the mare,” he said.  “More than that, the horse is a real athlete and he looks like a runner.

“When Snitzel is inbred through the Easy Date pedigree, it has resulted in very successful crosses and this colt has everything he needs to be a top two-year-old and three-year-old.  We have a few more to look at the sale before deciding on a trainer.”

A High Chaparral – Hill of Peace colt (Lot 8) was next best on the leader-board when secured for $160,000 Tony McEvoy.  He was offered by Holbrook Thoroughbreds and is a half-brother to the Starcraft stakes performers Royal Partner (HK) & Beam Me Up (Singapore).

Holbrook also sold an All Too Hard – Jewelled filly (Lot 32) for $130,000 to Victorian trainer Ken Keys.

Yarraman Park sire I Am Invincible had been immensely popular during inspections and his filly Lis Nediym (Lot 70) was no exception being knocked down to Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey for $155,000.  He was acting for Wishbone Farm owner Darren Wilson and outstayed bidding from several parties including YuLong Investments.

Saturday night’s turnover reached $4.41 million for 78 lots at an 80% clearance rate.  The average rose from 25% to $56,551 and the median increased 18% to $45,000.

DAY 1 CLASSIC LEADER
Snitzel colt purchased by Laurel Oak