The 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale got off to a solid start at Newmarket today, with just under $3.5million traded on 110 lots sold.

The sales source of six Group One winners across Australia in the last 12 months, Classic is renowned for unearthing top class horses at bargain prices and there was again some great buying on Day One of this year’s sale.

79% of the yearlings offered were sold at an average of $31,770 and median of $27,500.

“Today’s figures are slightly down on those recorded for this session twelve months ago, but I do congratulate our vendors for meeting the current market”, said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.

“Classic has produced 25 Group One winners in the last ten years, an amazing feat for a sale that averages just $30,000, and we expect more again from this year’s selection”, Webster added.

The top price $100,000 was reached twice in just five lots this afternoon, firstly by Middlebrook Valley Lodge’s Fastnet Rock filly from Polite and then Bowness Stud’s Beautiful Crown colt from Pretty Special.

Fastnet Rock-Polite filly (Lot 43) will head into the stables of Secret Admirer’s trainer Grahame Begg after being knocked down to Topline Thoroughbreds.

Beautiful Crown-Pretty Special colt (Lot 47) received a timely update just a few weeks ago when his half-brother Kontiki Park scored in the Listed BRC Bernborough Handicap, this colt will also be trained by Gai Waterhouse after being sold to Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds.

Photos of today’s top lots can be viewed on Inglis’ Facebook page InglisBloodstock

85 individual buyers featured on today’s buyers list, which was led by NSW trainer Todd Howlett who secured three lots for $115,000.

Widden Stud, who sold $250,000 Inglis Classic winner Cavalry Rose at this sale last year, led the vendors list for today’s session, having sold seven yearlings for an aggregate of $279,500.

“There are 422 yearlings still to be offered over the next two days, including many precocious physical types that will grow into tough sprinter-milers that suit local conditions, a hallmark of the type of youngster selected for Classic”, noted Inglis Auctioneer Jonathan D’Arcy.

Horses passed in during today’s session are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.

The Classic Sale continues from 11am tomorrow, with Sale Day Live and Online Bidding again available for those not able to make it to Newmarket.

Day One Statistics
(2011 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 150 (150)
Gross: $3,494,727 ($3,608,000)
Average Price: $31,770 ($34,692)
Median Price: $27,500 ($30,000)
Top Price: $100,000 ($95,000)
Lots Sold: 110 (104)
Lots Withdrawn: 10 (17)
Lots Passed In: 30 (29)
Sold %: 79 (78)