Australian and international investors raised the competition on Day Two of the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, pushing the average price past $290,000 as the clearance rate continues to rise.

“The diversity of buyers, sires and vendors represented at the top of the yearling market is a great indicator for the overall confidence in the Inglis Easter product and our great Australian industry,” said Mark Webster, Inglis’ Managing Director.

288 Easter yearlings have been sold across Days One and Two of the sale at an average of $298,663, 21% up on 2014. The median is up 11% to $200,000, all at a clearance rate of 79%.

48 lots by 17 different sires have been sold for $500,000 or more, well up on the 28 lots recorded at the same stage of last year’s Inglis Easter Sale.

“Today we have again seen industry players from around the world team up to invest in Australian bloodstock, and it is really encouraging that local syndicators have also been very active up to $200,000, allowing a wider group of thoroughbred enthusiasts to join together in racing these great Inglis Easter yearlings,” said Mark Webster of the extensive buying bench.

Six incredible examples of quality bloodstock sold for more than $1,000,000 today, headed by a colt by Snitzel from Admirelle (Lot 264) offered by John Muir’s Milburn Creek. A brother to Group 1 winner Sizzling, the colt was purchased for $2,200,000 by Tim Stakemire on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Lot 271, also by Snitzel, made $1,800,000 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. Out of Champion Australian Three-year-old filly and Inglis graduate Alinghi, the colt sold to David Raphael and Gerald Ryan.

Lot 283 set a new Australian record price for a yearling by a first season sire sold at auction, a title formerly held by Inglis Easter champion All Too Hard. Today’s colt by Sepoy out of Group 1 winning Canny Lad mare Ancient Song was offered from the draft of Turangga Farm and was sold for $1,600,000 to James Harron Bloodstock.

Fastnet Rock continued his huge influence on the market today selling two of the five top priced lots. Lot 323, a filly out of the well-related mare Candlelight sold to Tom Magnier for $1,750,000 from the draft of Segenhoe Stud.

A colt by Fastnet Rock from Weiner (Lot 251) sold to the international partnership of Gai Waterhouse, Coolmore Stud and Stonerstreet Stables for $1,350,000. From the draft of Kitchwin Hills, the colt is out of a half-sister by More Than Ready to Snitzel, Hinchinbrook and Viennese.

The sixth yearling to break into seven figures was the Redoute’s Choice x Weekend Beauty filly (Lot 247) which was secured by Mr Takaya Shimakawa of Japan Health Summit for $1,100,000. Offered from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, the filly is a half-sister to champion Inglis graduate Weekend Hussler.

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

Fastnet Rock leads the sires by average (for 3 or more lots sold) with 36 of his progeny selling at an average of $498,056, followed by Street Cry (7 at $495,000), Snitzel (24 at $414,583) and Medaglia d’Oro (6 at $405,000).

Sepoy heads the stellar group of first season sires with 10 of his yearlings selling at an average of $387,000. The progeny of Foxwedge ($222,500 avg), So You Think ($187,368) and Smart Missile ($163,333) are also proving very popular with buyers.

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

Arrowfield Stud has hit the top of the leading vendors table by aggregate, selling 21 yearlings for $8,565,000. Segenhoe Stud, Coolmore Stud and Yarraman Park Stud have also grossed over $5,000,000 each in sales so far.

Milburn Creek lead the vendors by average (3 or more sold) having sold five lots at an average of $675,000. Tyreel Stud, Segenhoe Stud and Eliza Park have also sold three or more lots each at an average in excess of $500,000.