The 2010 Melbourne Premier yearling sale concluded on Wednesday afternoon with increases across the board.  The results were highlighted by the average rising 30%.

A total of 396 horses sold over the three sessions with turnover topping $28.4 million.  This represents a 21% increase on the figures from 12 months ago, despite 60 fewer horses being offered this year.

The average rose to $71,764, while the $55,000 median was up 22% on the 2009 figures.  The clearance rate of 79% is expected to increase with more sales via the Make an Offer service.

A half dozen horses made $200,000 or more during Day 3 with Adelaide trainer Leon McDonald topping the session with $300,000 for Mill Park’s Starcraft – Tayusu Run colt.

Starcraft has made an encouraging start with his first southern crop headed by recent G1 Blue Diamond winner Star Witness.  Tayasu Run is by Sunday Silence sire Tayasu Tsuyoshi and she won twice in Japan including at Listed level.  She is out of a half-sister to the WATC Australian Derby winner The Bukhra.

“The record of Melbourne graduates speaks for itself and with that reputation growing all the time,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.  “There was plenty of incentive for buyers to be here at Oaklands this week to secure the stars of tomorrow.

Session 2 of the 2010 Premier Sale comprises 170 lots at Oaklands Junction on Thursday.