The Inglis Digital tried horse market continued its surge today when talented gallopers Operative ($230,000) and Bend The Knee ($165,000) – as well as a 5% share in G2 winner Old Flame - sold strongly in the February (Early) Sale.
Offered by Coolmore and partners, the Chris Waller-trained Operative (Written Tycoon) topped the sale, selling to Hong Kong-based Ben Kwan for $230,000.
Kwan, who purchased the horse from his Hong Kong base, will decide in coming days whether Operative will remain in Australia or be flown immediately to Hong Kong to continue his racing.
“I need to talk to some other people involved first so we will make some decisions likely on Friday,’’ Kwan said.
“I enjoy Inglis Digital a lot. It’s getting very popular here in Hong Kong, you must look at every catalogue.
“This horse Operative looks very promising, he’s won two of his five starts and it’s exciting to be able to buy him.’’
Coolmore’s Charlie Spicer-Jenkins added: “Operative is a progressive, lightly raced colt and we believe he has plenty of upside to offer his new owners.
“He demonstrated excellent potential when backing up his maiden win with a second impressive win over six furlongs at Rosehill.
“On behalf of the partners, we would like to thank the team at Inglis for facilitating the sale and for providing a platform in which we continue to place a high degree of trust. We wish the new connections the very best of luck with Operative.’’
The second-top lot was Bend The Knee, who was offered by John O’Shea Racing and the ownership group headed by Carl Holt.
Wyong trainer Kim Waugh purchased the 4YO for $165,000.
“He’s a lovely horse, he’s got very solid form around some very good horses and while he lost a bit of form at one stage, his last couple of runs have been really good again,’’ Waugh said.
“I spoke to John [O’Shea] and he gave the green light to buy the horse, he’s sound and ready to go and there’s so many options with a horse like him, be it the Midways or the Provincial Championships or if we can get him back to his best form, it will be Stakes races again.
“We’ve had a lot of luck buying these tried horses through Inglis Digital, (recent Saturday city winner) Garrison is a great example, it’s a really good option for people who don’t want to wait 18 months to get a horse to the races and want some often instant fun.’’
Another significant result in today’s auction was a 5% share in G2 winner Old Flame, which sold to Yulong for $70,000, valuing the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained galloper at $1.4m.
The Old Flame share comes after a 2.5% share in talented 2YO Krakarib sold for $33,000 in the Inglis Digital January (Early) auction, and two 5% shares in G1 placed colt Williamsburg both realised $95,000 each in a bespoke Inglis Digital Sale last month.
The February (Early) Sale grossed $2,688,050
Entries for the February (Late) Sale are now open and will remain so until next Wednesday, February 15.
To enter CLICK HERE.
