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Some
big winners emerged from last week's Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale –
and none more so than exciting freshman sire, Sharkbite.
Astute broodmare owners were rewarded for their faith when Sharkbite progeny
sold for up to $75,000 in Melbourne, but more importantly, it was the "direction"
those youngsters took when departing Oaklands Junction.
Although only four Sharkbite yearlings were offered in Melbourne (with many
mare owners deciding to retain their rising 2YOs), those that did go through
the ring attracted the attention of our nation's leading trainers including
Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, David Hayes, Anthony Freedman and John
McArdle.
It's little wonder that they were so popular: Sharkbite (pictured) himself was sold for
$900,000 as a yearling – testimony to his athleticism – and he's by Champion
stallion , Redoute's Choice, whose other successful sons at stud include top
sires Stratum, Snitzel and Not a Single Doubt.
Furthermore, Sharkbite hails from arguably the finest family in the European
Stud Book, being closely related to Champion UK sire, Dansili, and
Leroidesanimeux, sire of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom as well as
six other Group One winners, including champion Banks Hill.
Sharkbite backed up his yearling price and blue blood pedigree with racetrack
performance, being unbeaten as a 2YO and being amongst the best of his age at
three: subsequently defeating six stakes winners in the Listed Lord Stakes at
Caulfield.
"Sharkbite has been hugely popular since arriving on the farm," Eliza Park's Nominations
Manager, Mark Lindsay, said, referring to Sharkbite's books of 100 plus mares in
his two seasons since moving to Victoria.
"There has been a buzz about his foals
from the beginning and last year his first weanlings sold for up to $40,000.
That's very good off a service fee of just $7,700!
"We were very encouraged when David Bourne paid $60,000 for a colt at the
Sydney Classic Sale and at Melbourne Premier I was blown away by the number of inspections
for the Sharkbite (from Miss Keaton) filly that we offered in the first
session."
Just about every leading trainer and bloodstock agent had her out of the box at
some stage with many of them returning for second and third looks. She ended up
going to Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra for $75,000 –nearly 10 times his 2009 service
fee of $7,700.
The Sharkbite (from Thousand Veils) colt from Grange Thoroughbreds was equally
popular and he sold to John McCardle for $70,000 – giving Sharkbite an overall average
of $72,500 for the Premier Sessions.
"The second session saw the Sharkbite (from Pomeranz) filly go to David Hayes
for $40,000 and the 
Sharkbite (from Huamulan) colt go to the bid of Anthony
Freedman for $35,000. That's an average of $55,000 over the two sessions and a
tidy seven times service fee," said Lindsay.
"They will surely be given every chance to succeed and it augurs well for those
broodmare owners who have supported the horse in the past three seasons.
"The Sharkbite gravy train now heads to Adelaide where Eliza Park will offer a
lovely colt (pictured) from the well related Zabeel mare Close Embrace (Lot 154) and he is
expected to be popular too.
"We have already taken a number of 2012 season bookings from breeders returning
to Sharkbite and, at a service fee of $5,500, Sharkbite represents excellent
value … particularly with the introduction of the new VOBIS Gold bonus scheme."
News from Eliza Park
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