Day 1 of the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale began in comparable fashion to 12 months ago when trade edged towards $9 million on Monday evening.  Inglis reported 131 horses had been sold for $8.94 million at a $68,305 average.  The clearance rate of 76% was still rising as post sale purchases filtered through.

A Fastnet Rock colt from the draft of Erinvale Thoroughbreds topped the opening session when Hawkes Racing secured him for $310,000.  The colt is from a Sadler’s Wells half-sister to Irish Oaks runner-up Sunspangled.

Not A Single Doubt has made a sizzling start to the new year and Jason Petch Racing went to $260,000 to secure his colt from the Strategic mare On The Loose offered by Supreme Thoroughbreds.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club also took a liking to progeny of the Arrowfield Stud stallion to secure a colt from the Montjeu mare Numero Douze for $200,000.  He was offered by Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds.

The other yearling to top the $200K mark was Landsdowne Park’s High Chaparral filly from the stakes placed Luscious Lady which was purchased by Howard Simpson for $245,000.

“Given last year’s opening session also averaged around the $68,000 mark, we are pleased with the way this year’s sale has started,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.  “Similar to other sales held so far this year, the better-credentialed youngsters were all keenly sought after.

“Buyers will be aware that we have some extremely nice horses still to come over the remainder of the sale and I think we have more high profile yearlings on the next two days than we had in the first session.”

The sale continues from 11am on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday and Thursday.