An extraordinary performance from leading Victorian nursery Gilgai Farm capped off a thrilling Premier Sale Book 1 at Oaklands, where soaring prices and strong competition marked the second day of the elite yearling auction. The results underline why this sale continues to attract the best breeders and buyers from across Australia and abroad.
Gilgai Farm secured the top two lots – and four of the top six – at the conclusion of Day 2, cementing its position as the leading vendor. Across Book 1, the sale gross reached $60,707,000, up 15% on last year, with a median of $120,000 (up 20%) and an average of $146,990 (up 5%).
The standout of the day was a Too Darn Hot x Baveno colt (lot 499) from Gilgai, which was snapped up by X Bloodstock for $750,000. Gilgai’s Kelly Skillecorn said the colt’s strong appeal had been clear since foalhood, but even he was amazed by the competitive bidding.
“Ever since he was a foal we’ve had people turning up trying to buy him but we’ve wrapped him up for here at Inglis Premier. It’s a lot of money, we’re most grateful,” Skillecorn said. “This sale just keeps going forward. Group 1 winners come out of here every year, and the results speak for themselves.”
X Bloodstock, which secured four colts during Book 1, praised the strategy and planning that led to their purchases. “It has been a long-term plan to attend Inglis Premier and work with James Price to identify the best colts in the sale,” a spokesperson said. “Lot 499 was an absolute athlete – scope, strength, and temperament.”
The day’s second-highest lot was Gilgai’s Kermadec x Turaath filly (lot 419), purchased by Astute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing for $625,000. Astute also acquired the prior lot, a Written By x Tune Doubt filly, for $450,000.
“Part of our strategy is to buy elite fillies that can compete in Stakes races and then return through broodmare sales,” said Astute’s Louis Le Metayer. “When you’re buying from a farm like Gilgai, you know you’re getting a better chance.”
Skillecorn added praise for the top fillies, noting that both are now in capable hands and poised for bright futures.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch described the atmosphere at Oaklands as “plenty of fun and exceptionally rewarding,” noting the global diversity of the buying bench, with participation from Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Vietnam, and around Australia.
Book 2 of the Premier Yearling Sale concludes tomorrow with 227 lots scheduled to go under the hammer, beginning at 10am. For those unable to attend, Sale Day Live coverage will stream from 9:30am on the Inglis website and social channels.
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