A fifth consecutive sale gross in excess of $3m has seen the first six months of 2020 trade on the Inglis Digital online platform eclipse the entire 2019 earnings.
The June (Late) sale realised $3,053,950 this evening, bringing the overall tally of the twice-monthly online auctions so far for 2020 to $22,217,650 in just six months, surpassing the gross for the entire 2019 of $22,129,633.
The sale was topped by Stakes-placed 2YO filly Jemss (Exosphere), offered by her trainer David Payne and purchased by Tom Nikolic Racing for $155,000.
Nikolic, who regained his trainers’ licence three weeks ago and will train out of Cranbourne, described Jemss as “a largely untapped filly’’.
“She’s only had the five runs and is already Stakes placed, she’s got a lot of potential and I can’t wait to get her down here,’’ Nikolic said.
“I really like her sire, I think Exosphere throws a great type and Jemss is certainly that, she’s a very strong and progressive filly and being lightly raced she has no issues, seems a pretty straight forward filly.
“She’s rising three so if she can perform on the track as we hope then she’ll have really good residual value as a broodmare as well.’’
Payne believed Nikolic would have “a lot of fun’’ with the filly.
“I’m very happy with that price, she’s a nice filly who will let down into a beautiful mare,’’ the trainer said.
“She’s got black type which is a big plus too down the track.
“I think the [Inglis Digital] platform is faultless really. I’ve also bought quite a few online through Inglis and let’s face it, it’s been very successful so why wouldn’t you keep coming back, both as a buyer and vendor.’’
The sale’s second-top lot was Dance (Not A Single Doubt), formerly of the Peter and Paul Snowden stable.
The 2YO colt, offered by Newgate Farm (as agent) sold to A Value Consulting Limited for $135,000.
A Value Consulting Limited's Director Dr. Alan Lee – who also purchased Esperance, the top lot at the June (Early) Online Auction - said Dance would be gelded and initially trained by Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm, before ultimately being sent to Hong Kong to finish his career.
“Being by Not A Single Doubt, Dance can race for a long time and he’s very suitable for long-term racing life in Hong Kong,’’ Dr. Lee said.
“According to his pedigree and conformation he should be a miler or middle distance in HK, we just need to be patient with him.
“Our original budget was $100,000 but we advised our client to increase the budget for this beautiful colt.
“Bjorn Baker is A Value Consulting Limited's loyal partner in Australia and we have worked with many pretty horses before. He helped us to manage the inspection before bidding.
“Our research team will study all horses including broodmares in each Inglis online sale to find some bargain choices for our clients.’’
Henry Field from vendor Newgate Farm was pleased with the result.
“We’re very satisfied with the price and to be fair we sell the majority of our tried horses through Inglis Digital – mostly unreserved - and we feel we consistently get a fair price with plenty of positive surprises thrown in,’’ Field said.
“We take pride in the stock we offer and we’ve sold a lot of future winners off the platform which is something we have wanted to do from the outset, to be known as sellers of winners.
“It’s a super transparent marketplace and that’s what I really like about it.’’
The Inglis Digital June (Late) Online Auction finished with a clearance rate of 76%, while Jemss, Dance and Agassi ($115,000) are three of 54 horses to sell for $100,000 or more on the Inglis Digital platform since 2018.
Another happy participant of the sale was Nick Williams, who sold all four of his offerings – Venice Beach, Spanish Steps, Sir Edwin Landseer and Baritone – in the Hudson Conway Racing draft.
“We’re thrilled they’ve all been sold and have all found quality new homes. They’ll win plenty of races between them,’’ Williams said.
“The Inglis Digital platform is fantastic, so user-friendly and it’s great to see the bloodstock world come into the 21st century with Inglis leading the way online.’’
Entries are now open for the July (Early) Online Auction, which is scheduled to run from July 10-15.
Entries close on Wednesday July 8.
To enter, CLICK HERE.
