Victorian studs dominated the leader-board during the first session of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Sunday’s Blue Riband session was also a runaway success for Inglis and the Victorian industry.  Now in its fourth year, the Blue Riband included 4 of the Top 5 yearlings on Day 1.

Swettenham Stud created a Premier record when its Fastnet Rock – Hidden Energy filly was purchased by Pat Carey for $675,000 on Sunday.  “I think she’s excellent value,” Carey said shortly after signing the sale sheet.  “She would have made upwards of $800,000 at the Sydney Easter Sale.”

Blue Gum Farm was next best with a Fastnet Rock – Port Augusta filly ($460,000) and a Street Cry- Original Choice colt ($375,000).  Studmaster Philip Campbell had pin-hooked the Fastnet Rock filly for $200,000 at last year’s Magic Millions National Foal Sale.

“She was a really nice specimen by the right stallion from the right family,” Campbell said.  “We knew she was a high value article and we’re very happy with the return.”

Modewarre nursery Glentree Thoroughbreds was fourth on the leader-board with the $340,000 Snitzel – Miss Iguacu colt that caught the eye of agent Michael Wallace and the China Horse Club.  His dam is a half-sister to G2 Ajax Stakes winner Niagara.

Rosemont Stud completed a Victorian monopoly on the Top 5 table on Sunday with a Shamardal colt from a British-bred half-sister to Champion European stayer Persian Punch.  He was knocked down to agent John Foote for $320,000 acting on behalf of a Hong Kong client and will go into training with Darren Weir.

The opening day of the Inglis Melbourne Premier finished with an aggregate of $15.14 million and average of $135,250 on an 82% clearance rate.  The Blue Riband’s switch from Day 3 to Day 1 helped boost the average from last year’s record-breaking $97,003.