On the back of strong support from vendors, the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (HTBA) Scone Yearling Sale has been extended to two days beginning next year.

The two days will comprise a Select session on the Thursday, May 13 (a day prior to the Scone Cup and Inglis Guineas) and a General session on the Sunday, May 16.

The new format will also coincide with the first running of The Inglis Guineas, which already boasts a prizemoney pool of over $500,000 and is sure to be a very much sought after prize on the back of the Sydney carnival.

Held around the Scone Horse Week, the region attracts a diverse cross section of industry participants which will continue to grow as Inglis, HTBA and Scone Race Club work together to further develop Australia’s premier country racing and sales event.

“The number and quality of entries for this sale has continued to grow, so we are delighted that we can accommodate more yearlings, which for the majority of vendors is in their local area,” Inglis Bloodstock Director Jonathan D’Arcy said.  “We have seen in recent years how this sale has benefited from that strong buying bench and vendors have embraced this influx by offering superior yearlings.

The sale, whose current graduates include Hot Danish and undefeated Macau sprinter Happy Gladiator, is a joint venture between both the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Inglis.

Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeders President Wayne Bedggood felt the new format, combined with the introduction of the Inglis Guineas, will encourage breeders to up the quality of their entries in 2010.

“There isn’t a race for three-year-olds after the Sydney Carnival worth as much as the Inglis Guineas, so the runners will come from far and wide, which augurs well for the buying bench that will attend next year,” said Bedggood.  “Breeders should have the confidence to get behind the sale with better quality yearlings and importantly, Inglis shares the commission with the HTBA, so it’s a great boost for our funding.”