The inaugural Inglis Sydney Ready 2 Race Sale set a new benchmark for breeze up sales in Australasia for average ($76,742) and median ($60,000) at Newmarket on Thursday.

A total of 24 lots sold for $100,000 or more during the session with buyers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, South Africa, USA and Australia snapping up the quality two and three-year-olds on offer.

Three-year-old colt Distorted Demand (Red Ransom) topped the sale when selling to Sydney trainer Mauro Poletti for $310,000 when offered by Carinya Lodge.

The top price recorded for the two-year-olds was shared by Woodside Park’s colt by Exceed And Excel (Lot 88) and Beatson Stables colt by High Chaparral (Lot 165).  They both made $280,000 and were purchased by Hong Kong agent George Moore and Warwick Farm trainer David Vandyke respectively.

The leading individual buyer was Singapore trainer Patrick Shaw, who purchased 6 lots for $740,000, including Muskoka Farm’s colt by Tale Of The Cat (Lot 55) for $210,000.

“We’ve had wonderful support from leading vendors in Australia and New Zealand, and are well placed to take this sale to greater heights next year,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.  “The only downside was the (62%) clearance rate at fall of hammer, something we will aim to improve by being even more selective when assembling the catalogue next year.

“It also goes to show that this type of sale is not all about breezing up in fast times.  Buyers are able to take into account the condition of the track and seem more focused on the quality of the animal and the style of the breeze up, rather than how quick they run.  This is exactly how it should be.”