Racing
Pinatubo filly readjusts Tassie record
Pinatubo filly sets new peak at Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
John McArdle doubled down on a family he has already experienced Stakes success with, setting a new Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale record in the process.
The Mornington trainer went to $170,000 for a filly by Pinatubo out of Dream Food at Monday's sale at Quercus Park, outside Launceston.
That makes her a half-sister to McArdle's Jim Moloney Stakes winner Yum, who is by Ghaiyyath, and McArdle would not be shocked if Monday's price tag looks cheap in a few months' time.
"She (Yum) looks as though she is going to press on to the good races in the autumn and winter in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane," McArdle said.
"We are very happy to acquire her. She is very much like her sister. She probably looks a bit sharper by a speed horse like Pinatubo.
"All in all, we are delighted to be able to buy her."
The Dream Food filly's sale price was $10,000 more than the previous record, which was set nine years ago.
The record-breaking filly was one of five youngsters to sell for $100,000 or more across the day.
Last year the highest price paid was $80,000, which was shared by three horses.
MyRacehorse and Damon Gabbedy's Belmont Bloodstock teamed up with powerful local trainer Stuart Gandy to buy a Capitalist filly for $120,000, while Joe O'Neill paid $115,000 for a first-crop filly from Paulele.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, in partnership with Belmont Bloodstock, paid $110,000 for a colt by State of Rest, while a filly by Needs Further out of Oh So Gold – which makes her a three-quarter-sister to Mystic Journey – sold for $100,000.
Across the sale more than $2.8 million was traded on 78 lots sold at an average price of $36,090. The clearance rate currently sits at 72 per cent.
Last year the sale grossed a tick under $2m with yearlings selling at an average of $23,488.
Armidale Stud, which sold the $170,000 filly, was leading vendor on all metrics - supplying the top five sellers and eight of the top 10. They were leading vendor by gross at $1.433 million and average at $68,238.
"It's pleasing to see some solid increases," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
"The average has increased significantly, the gross is strong and the clearance is improving and should continue to do so this afternoon.
"The clearance rate is in line with expectations and is acceptable for this sale. The appetite for quality lots was there in most places.
"There was a good spirit and vibe about the sale and to have five six-figure horses is the second most we've ever had down here which is outstanding.
"To have a new record price and to have a number of fillies highly sought after was great and is again testament to the quality of the horse and for vendors giving us the opportunity to offer some quality horses in Tasmania."
TOP SELLERS
$170,000 - Pinatubo-Dream Food filly (bought by Redgum Racing)
$120,000 - Capitalist-Speedonova filly (Myracehorse/Stuart Gandy/Belmont B'stock)
$115,000 - Paulele-Ventura filly (Prime Thoroughbreds)
$110,000 - State of Rest-Falika colt (McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont B'stock)
$100,000 - Needs Further-Oh So Gold filly (Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick B'stock Agency)
SALE STATISTICS (2025 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 125 (126)
Lots Sold: 78 (83)
Lots Passed In: 31 (29)
Lots Withdrawn: 16 (14)
Sale Gross: $2,815,000 ($1,949,500)
Top Price: $170,000 ($80,000)
Average Price: $36,090 ($23,488)
Median Prince: $21,000 ($18,000)
Sold %: 72 (74)
Check out the latest Singapore News