The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale closed in emphatic fashion at Riverside on Wednesday, as a powerful Ghaiyyath colt from Wentwood Grange brought the curtain down on three buoyant days of trade with a sale-topping $625,000 price tag.
For Dean Hawkins, who runs Wentwood Grange alongside his brother Sean and Leigh, the moment was almost surreal. As bidding climbed well beyond expectations for Lot 668, disbelief gave way to delight. It was not only the highest-priced yearling of the 2026 Classic auction, but also the most expensive ever sold by the respected nursery.
“He was on the market at $150,000 – he’s not here to go home,” Hawkins said afterwards, still absorbing the scale of the result. “You always get nervous beforehand but I was absolutely stoked with the result because if he’d have made $200,000 we would have been chuffed. This really is an unbelievable result.”
The athletic colt, a son of European star Ghaiyyath, had caught the eye throughout inspections, praised for his fluent walk and balanced physique. Hawkins credited the farm team for presenting him in immaculate order across the week, adding that the family would “keep coming back” to a sale they have supported for more than a decade.
Strong Competition for Standout Colt at Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
The colt was secured by Tony and Calvin McEvoy in partnership with Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock, with Calvin McEvoy making no secret of his determination.
“We loved him from the first time we saw him, which you really need to when you spend that sort of money,” McEvoy said. “Every time we went back to look for something wrong with him, we couldn’t find it. I thought he was the standout in the sale.”
McEvoy suggested he anticipated a strong figure but admitted the final price may have gone a bid or two beyond projections. Knowledge that an astute underbidder was involved only strengthened his confidence in the purchase. The stable has enjoyed notable success sourcing top-level performers from this sale in recent seasons, reinforcing their belief in its depth and value.
The second-highest lot of the day was a Home Affairs filly out of You Rang, offered by Mullaglass Stud and purchased by trainer Bryce Heys and Ellerslie Lodge for $380,000.
For Dr Richard and Kim McClenahan of Mullaglass, it capped an outstanding week. Sixteen of their 17 yearlings found new homes for a combined return exceeding $1.9 million.
“We’ve had a fantastic sale, definitely well above what we expected,” Dr McClenahan said. “She was very, very busy, the busiest horse we’ve ever had at this sale. Everything after $250,000 was a great result.”
Heys praised the filly’s physical quality and overall presence, noting that the Classic marketplace consistently provides opportunities for discerning buyers prepared to do their homework.
By the close of trade on Day 3, the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale had posted a gross of $57,573,500, representing a $3.47 million rise on last year. The clearance rate improved to 84 per cent, up from 80 per cent in 2025, while both average and median prices also climbed.
Arrowfield Stud finished as leading vendor for the second consecutive year, selling 32 yearlings for $3.72 million. On the buyers’ list, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr (with partners) topped the spenders at $1,470,000, while John Foote (with partners) purchased the most lots, securing 11 yearlings.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch described the sale as spirited and satisfying.
“The sale has had a good feel to it since inspections began last week and ultimately we have had a strong sale, with a lot of vendors and buyers going home happy,” Hutch said.
He pointed to broad international participation and a diverse group of stallions, vendors and buyers contributing to the headline results, while acknowledging wider market pressures at the lower end. Even so, the upward movement in gross and clearance suggested resilience and confidence at the middle and upper tiers of the market.
Attention now shifts to the February (Late) Online Sale, followed by the Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne from March 1–3, where progeny of Extreme Choice, Ghaiyyath, Harry Angel, Home Affairs, Too Darn Hot and Toronado will headline the catalogue.
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