The 2014 edition of the Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale is just over a month away.  The source of world champion Black Caviar, its first lot this year will parade at 12 Noon on Sunday, March 2.

Conceived, born, raised, sold, owned and trained in Victoria, Black Caviar received her most recent accolade last week when officially rated equal-top of the year-end 2013 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

“The total number of Australian-bred horses rated 115 or more by IFHA has increased 400% in the last ten years – underlining the tremendous growth in the Australian thoroughbred and its international reputation,” points out Inglis Melbourne Director Peter Heagney.

“Racing both here in Victoria and in many other states of Australia is a tremendous passion.

“Now is a great time to get involved in this exciting sport, with increases in prizemoney, incentive bonus schemes and the limit on the number of individual persons who may be registered as owners of a racehorse from ten to twenty making racehorse ownership more accessible and affordable.”

A total of 775 lots have been catalogued for the Melbourne Premier and 61% are Super VOBIS Qualified, just as Black Caviar was in 2008.

Black Caviar was offered as Lot 520 from the draft of Swettenham Stud (as agent for Gilgai Farm). The daughter of Bel Esprit was snapped up by trainer Peter Moody for $210,000.

With a median price of just $60,000, Melbourne Premier has an enviable record as the sales source of top level sprinters such as Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner, Weekend Hussler, Alinghi, Ortensia, Reward For Effort, Turffontein, Costa Viva, Rostova, Stepitup and Sacred Kingdom.

Inglis Melbourne is also growing an impressive record as a source of outstanding middle distance and staying type horses such as Fawkner, Polanski, Pinker Pinker, Arapaho Miss, Hollow Bullet, Escado and Igugu.

Over a ten year period the stakes winners-to-lots sold from Melbourne Premier has risen 44%.

All of Australasia’s leading sires are represented in the 2014 catalogue with yearlings that were carefully selected from almost 2,000 entries received for the sale.

“An improving genetic pool in Victoria and increased vendor support from other major states has enabled our bloodstock team to be increasingly selective on type and conformation for Melbourne Premier,” Heagney added.

Go to www.inglis.com.au for the online catalogue or download it on the Inglis Sales iPad App

Hard-copy catalogues can be requested from the Melbourne office on 03 9333 1422 or email catalogue@inglis.com.au