The Premier sessions of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale came to a close on Wednesday with increases in the overall average and gross recorded for the fourth consecutive year.

Trade over the three sessions topped $31 million at an average of $73,616 and median of $60,000.  The clearance rate was more than satisfactory at 80%.

“The Melbourne Premier sale keeps improving year after year,” Inglis director Peter Heagney said.  “I would like to thank all our vendors for preparing such quality athletic yearlings for this year’s sale.”

Four-time Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Sacred Kingdom has been a fantastic flag-bearer for the Premier Sale since being snapped up by trainer Ricky Yiu at the 2005 Melbourne Sale for $200,000.  The son of Encosta de Lago has recorded 17 victories and netted owner Sin Kan Yuk just under HK$46 million (AUD5.75 million) in prizemoney.

Kornong Stud Farm offered his brother for sale on Wednesday afternoon (Lot 478) and the strapping chestnut colt was purchased by Victorian trainer Dean Binaisse for $345,000.

Singapore trainer Cliff Brown pounced on the very next lot into the Oaklands ring, going to $260,000 to secure Tyreel Stud’s colt by Pins from top filly Crossyourheart (Lot 479).

Makybe’s Fastnet Rock – Crystal Choir colt (Lot 480) made it a hat-trick of high-priced buys when he was bought by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds for $330,000.

Ricky Yiu went to $340,000 to purchase Mill Park’s Fastnet Rock colt (Lot 517) which is the first foal of stakes placed mare Elusive Wonder.

Swettenham Stud had the honour of selling Black Caviar from their 2008 Melbourne Premier draft and there was plenty of action around for their Reset – Illusional filly (Lot 592) this year.  She was eventually knocked down to Malua Bloodstock & Bahen Bloodstock for $230,000.

Full buyer, vendor and sire statistics, plus the compete online catalogue for the sale is available at www.inglis.com.au