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Derby Racing go to $280,000 to secure the Kingstar Farm-consigned yearling
A son of Newgate Farm's young sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon) became the second most expensive yearling to sell at a HTBA Yearling Sale when he was bought by Darby Racing for $280,000 on Sunday.
The colt is the fist foal out of Princess Joy Joy (Sebring) and he will join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
"We've had a good couple of weeks and he was the stand out colt obviously on pedigree and type here today," Scott Darby said.
"He's an A1 physical, athletic, just quality and really stood out here.
"You know you get those horses that when they come out and stand, they just go bang, that was this colt, he had great balance."
Kingstar Farm's Adam Cook was thrilled with the result.
"He is a lovely colt by a very good sire and was entitled to sell very well," Cook said.
"He was very popular during inspections and while I was a little worried that he was selling at the end of the day, it didn't make a difference – everyone waited for him!
"That result capped off a good day for Kingstar, we brought 10 here and we're leaving with a 100% clearance rate.
"Historically this has been a very good sale for us and it has been again today, so we are very pleased and are looking forward to offering our draft at the Inglis Weanling Sale next week."
Capitalist was the sale's leading sire with four lots selling for $314,000, at an average of $78,500.
Darby Racing was the sale's leading buyer having spent $464,000 at an average of $77,333.
Darby Racing's Mark Holland reflected on the success the team has enjoyed from the HTBA Sale.
"This has been a dream sale for Darby Racing, we love this sale," Holland said.
"We've purchased Stakes winners Time For War ($56,000) and Look to the Stars ($26,000) from here, plus Metro winners True Crime ($25,000), Crazy Train ($3,000), Mr Tickets ($6,500), Star Sensation ($20,000), Wingardium ($35,000).
"We've bought six today from $9,000 up to the $280,000 for the Capitalist, a yearling the whole team loved and one we waited literally all day for!" Holland added.
"He is a great shape, good head, athletic walk, the first foal from a Sebring mare that's related to four individual Stakes performers, he was just an absolute standout for us."
Figures fall
The sale topping colt was one of four lots to sell for six figures. This year's HTBA Yearling Sale saw 207 lots sell for $4,399,500. This was down from $5,354,750 a year ago when 210 lots sold. The average was down from $25,499 a year ago to $21,254. The median meanwhile fell from $17,000 to $12,500.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was pleased with the day, highlighting the demand for quality stock as a significant feature of trade.
"The yearlings that buyers considered to be of real quality were generally very popular and across the day there consistent examples of yearlings realising prices way above and beyond the expectations of vendors," Hutch said.
"There was a very broad cross section of buyers for the sale and it was great to see the buying bench of local trainers supplemented by interstate and international buyers, especially considering how many options that buyers now have to acquire stock thanks to the ever-growing digital market.
"We are very grateful to the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association and it's members for their support of the sale and we look forward to developing this sale further in years to come."
