Encosta de Lago provided the only six-figure foal at the Inglis Great Southern foal sale on Wednesday when his colt from Dathiyna was purchased by Apollo Ng.

Auctioneer Simon Vivian alluded to Encosta de Lago’s popularity in Hong Kong after knocking the colt down for $100,000.  The Coolmore champion has sired world-champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom among stakes performers the calibre of Ultra Fantasy, Blue Lago, Encosta Don, Four Aces, Sir Lago etc.

The Day 2 session-topper is from the Irish bred Kris mare Dathiyna.  He is a half-brother to the European stakes performers Let Me Try Again (Sadler’s Wells) and Amsterdam (Danehill).  The latter also won twice in Hong Kong.

The Encosta de Lago colt was sold by Erinvale Thoroughbreds as was the Henrythenavigator filly that topped Day 1 at $150,000.  

Next best on Wednesday was Blue Gum Farm’s colt from the first crop of French G1 winner Astronomer Royal sold to Inglis as agent for $90,000.  He is from the Street Cry mare Chelsey Cry.  Encosta de Lago stood at Blue Gum before Coolmore seconded him to the Hunter Valley.

A total of 292 foals changed hands at an average of $10,238 which fell just short of last year’s $10,717 figure.  The clearance rate stands at 80% although that will improve with private sales.

“The better quality lots attracted serious competition across both days,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.  “But in keeping with yearling sales across Australia this year, the lower end of the market was much softer.”

Horses passed in during the weanling sessions are still available for sale via the Inglis Make an Offer service.

The Great Southern Sale continues from 10.30am on Thursday with the first of two Bloodstock sessions.