The highest price paid was $112,500 for a beautiful Sweet Lou filly out of multiple Group 1 placegetter Two Times Bettor, which was secured by young Kialla rider Courtney Laker, her brother Shannon and grandmother Carmen Mifsud.
Laker is best known for her collaborations with Victorian Country Cup winner Curly James and group-winning trotter Miss Ohana.
The Down on the coast The filly by American mare O Narutac Bella, the dam of three group winners including Turn It Up, was beaten by premier Ballarat trainer Clayton Tonkin for $100,000.
The Atworthy Park Group, led by Steve Johnson, sold four lots that day for a total of $267,500. They also sold the top priced trotter, the King Of The North filly by the 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year Banglez, which was secured by decorated Cranbourne rider Jayne Davies for $40,000.
The two leading colts were both from Bruce Edward’s Durham Park, one was by Bettor’s Delight by American mare Farady Hanover, who was haltered by Bendigo trainer ‘Alby’ Ashwood for $77,500, and the other a Sweet Lou colt by Talk Time, purchased by Leviathan owner Danny Zavitsanos.
Lot 176, the Pebble Beach filly offered by Steve and Chelsea Dickson’s Melfield Estate to fund and facilitate research for Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, realized $25,000 on Matthew Purcell’s bid.
The sale raised $1,413,000 for 60 lots sold for an average price of $23,550.
“We are very pleased with how the Melbourne Sale has developed. There was growth across the board with more sellers, more yearlings, more buyers, a stronger clearance rate, improved averages and competitive bidding on the best lots. It is a clear sign that the Victorian market is moving in the right direction,” said Anthony Essex, Managing Director of APG.
“Harness Racing Victoria’s support, especially through the Vicbred Owner Voucher program, made a tangible difference. More than twenty vouchers were used on the sale day, demonstrating the need for buyers to reinvest in quality shares.
“Our partnership with HRV continues to go from strength to strength. We are committed to the future growth of the industry and will once again sponsor the APG Vicbred Super Series next season as we continue to work together to increase participation and prize money opportunities in Victoria.
“We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who came along during the sales weekend. It was fantastic to see a full house and such strong involvement throughout the day. The quality of yearlings on offer was excellent and that is a real credit to our vendors, who have put a huge amount of work into preparing their horses for sale,” said Essex, adding that a small number of lots were still available for purchase.
The three best presented colts on the auction parade were all prepared by Monique Burnett’s Grand Lodge, Forbes, namely the Art Major-Liberty Crest (1st), Art Major-Lady Dynamo (2i.e) and Ride High-Song For Mira (3rd).
The best presented filly was the Downbytheseaside-Dannemora filly prepared by Gary and Louise Toulmin’s Oakbank Estate, who also prepared the third-placed Sweet Lou-Major Grace miss. The Art Major-Bronski Macarena filly, prepared by Burnett, finished second.
The winners received products from International Animal Health and Garrard’s Horse & Hound. APG’s best-presented judge was Rebecca Lund, honorary president of the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association of Victoria.
By means of Peter Wharton
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