Inglis HTBA Australia Yearling Sale Occurs April 19

The Inglis Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association Yearling Sale this April 19 provides a proven opportunity to buy bargain-priced colts and fillies now that the big players have already done their shopping at the majors. While inspections began building at Riverside Stables April 16, Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was guarded about making predictions, but was positive the 215-lot catalog will continue the strong competition that has been a feature of the Inglis Yearling Sales Series this year. "The prize money they win will dramatically outweigh the cost on Sunday," Hutch said. "The HTBA Sale gives everyone access to commercial yearlings, whether they are looking for horses to breeze in the spring, trial and trade, or just race for our tremendous prize money in Australia. "We have a broad cross section of stallions and vendors represented in the catalog. That's pleasing and so is the fact that part of the commissions help the important work being done by the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association." The 2025 HTBA Yearling Sale grossed AU$4.55 million (US$3,261,152, AU$1=US$0.72) at an average of AU$21,900 (US$15,711) off an 83% clearance rate. That was an across-the-board increase in all three statistics from 2024 (AU$3.03 million, AU$18,700, 80%). A similar rise will be welcomed by the industry at a time when the economy is facing significant headwinds. Established Hunter Valley studs Vinery, Widden, Newgate, Segenhoe, Amarina, and Kingstar are represented and so are relative newcomers such as Scone-based Forge Thoroughbreds. Vinery Stud has a draft of 18 and they're straight out of the blocks with an Exceedance (AUS) colt cataloged as Lot 2, who is out of the placed Aga Khan-bred mare Sagamiyna—herself a half sister to French group 1 winner Sagawara (GB). Exceedance sired his sixth stakes winner last month when Cristal Clear scored first-up in the Ajax Stakes (G2) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse for Group One Thoroughbreds and Annabel and Rob Archibald. Her half sister Sass Appeal was a black-type winner of the Kewney Stakes (G2) and their second dam, Bollinger, was successful in the 2003 Coolmore Classic (G1). The consignment finishes with colts by Hellbent (AUS), Supido (AUS), and Headwater (AUS), and Vinery's Harry Roach believes it will pay buyers to keep some of their powder dry until the last hour of trade. Kingstar Farm has 10 yearlings going under the hammer Sunday and their draft has an Artorius (AUS) connection with his first-crop colt from Kiwi-bred mare Azarose (Lot 71), who is a half sister to multiple group 3 winner Artistry. Scone-based Forge Thoroughbreds owners Mitch Hamilton and Zoe Baylis have seven lots cataloged for the HTBA Sale and are hoping it's just as rewarding as their first drafts to the Adelaide Magic Millions and Inglis Classic sales. Before branching out on their own, Mitch worked as a farrier for Widden and Baramul Studs, while Zoe was based at Widden and Bhima Stud. "We had 100% clearance rates at both sales this year and our Showtime colt sold for AU$110,000 at the Classic Sale," Baylis said. "We have some great clients and they helped by meeting the market." Forge Thoroughbreds has the only yearling by Coolmore shuttler St Mark's Basilica (FR) in the HTBA Sale and his first Australian crop is headed by unbeaten Tasmanian Aristopolos. The St Mark's Basilica colt (Lot 41) is out of the Kiwi black-type mare Upscale and Baylis rates him a strong, forward type for the new season. The pick of the Forge Thoroughbreds consignment is Lot 120, a Capitalist (AUS) filly out of Irish-bred mare Fleeting Fancy. "She's a stunner," Baylis said. "A well-grown physical and beautifully balanced"