Record demand for yearlings continued on Day 3 of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale with the Session 1 average price rising for the fifth consecutive year.

“The last time this sale averaged more than $80,000 was when Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner and Reward For Effort went through the ring,” Inglis director Peter Heagney said.  “It would certainly be great for this week’s buyers to be rewarded with such outstanding racetrack success as those sold that year

“It’s is a credit to our vendors that have contributed to increased clearance rate, average and median.”

A total of 441 yearlings have been sold at an average of $84,115, a 10% increase from 2013.  The clearance rate is also well up on last year’s figure to a strong 81%.  The $70,000 median is an all-time record for the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

Overall, 62 lots have been sold for $150,000 or more in Session 1, a significant increase from 44 last year.

Dean Hawthorne pushed his way to the top of the buyers list by securing three lots on Tuesday including a well related filly by Magnus out of Silverbeat (Lot 554) for $240,000 from Yallambee Stud.  Hawthorne finished Session 1 with nine yearlings for $1.19 million.

Lindsay Park’s David Hayes has been very active at the sale buying 10 yearlings for $1.15 million.  Other trainers to secure five or more yearlings so far include Mick Price, Michael Moroney, Clinton McDonald, Robbie Griffiths, Simon Miller, Peter Moody, Tony McEvoy and Leon Macdonald.

Australians have had plenty of competition from active international buyers from South Africa, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Japan at the sale.

Northern Meteor has topped the sires list with five of his yearlings selling at an average of $198,000.  Other leading sires by average were Fastnet Rock (7 at $185,000), Magnus (3 at $176,667), Exceed And Excel (7 at $172,143) and Lonhro (9 at 138,889).

Equiano has led the first season sires with 15 of his yearlings selling at an amazing average of $105,200.  Yearlings by Beneteau, Shocking, Star Witness, Hinchinbrook, Stryker, Lope de Vega and Reward For Effort also averaged more than $75,000.

Eliza Park International jumped to the top of the leading vendors list having sold 32 yearlings for over $2.88 million.  Yallambee Stud averaged $118,684 for their 19 yearlings sold giving them an aggregate of more than $2.25 million.

Woodside Park Stud has had a tremendous sale selling all six lots offered at an average of $202,500.

The fourth and final day of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale starts at 10:30am on Wednesday with 158 lots catalogued for Session II.