by Duane Ranger (Courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Misty, wet weather didn’t stop the 2024 Garrard’s Yearling Sale from producing its second-best average in 17 years of standardbred auctions at Redcliffe Paceway on Sunday (March 24).
There were 44 lots (nine withdrawals) presented to auctioneer, Darren Ebert, with an average price of $12,145 being fetched. That was $1,106 less than the record-breaking 2022 Sale when 57 horses were sold at an average of $13,206. The Sale that year amassed a $752,750 gross spend compared to the $534,400 on Sunday.
Of this year’s 44 yearlings presented half were buy-backs, so as to qualify for Qbred and Sales Series races.
Last year there were 51 lots presented with $615,5000 spent at an average of $12,069. In 2021 the average price was $10,2000 and the year before $8,200.
Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President, Bernie Ring, was delighted with the results saying vendors were happy with their prices.
“It was a good Sale. We are different from other Sales. We meet the lower end of the market. It’s a Sale where people have a chance to get in at lower end, even though sometimes you need to pay more for the one you like.
“The average was up on last year’s sale. That is very pleasing. The numbers keep getting better. It’s a shame when never had a bright, sunny day, but it was still a success. I want to thank everyone for their efforts to make this Sale possible,” Ring said.
“The Sale started and finished strongly with high prices,” he added.
Meanwhile, the ‘Sales Topper’ was Lot 37 – a Tall Dark Stranger – Our Neenah (Washington VC) filly, who was bought back by Phil Mitchell for $45,000. A story on Mitchell and this family will be published here this week.
Seven yearlings toppled the $20,000 mark with the ‘Sales Topper’ fetching $10,000 more than last year’s top price of $56,000. In 2022 bidding peaked at $65,000 while in 2021 and 2020 the top prices were $23,000, and $31,000 respectively.
The top seven yearlings all sired by seven different stallions this year. They were:
Lot 37) Tall Dark Stranger – Our Neenah filly bought back by Phil Mitchell for $45,000.
44) Captain Crunch – Good Luck Charm filly bought back by the Solid Earth Company for $42,500.
53) Poster Boy – Impressive Diamond colt bought back by D. J. Wearne for $40,000
2) Sweet Lou – Patience Pays filly bought back by Trent Dawson for $26,000.
3) The Storm Inside – In The Midnight Hour colt sold by Burwood Stud to B. Oberthurer for $26,000.
52) For A Reason – Rocknroll Annie filly sold by J. and M. Denning to Boots Properties for $25,000.
25) Ohoka Punter – Party In Paris filly bought back by Lawrence Feehely for $22,000.
Meanwhile auctioneer, Ebert, was also delighted with the results from the Sale, adding it was a proud moment for his family.
Just prior to selling the yearlings, he introduced his team of bid spotters, which included his 14-year-old son, James, for the very first time (see photo).
“I am very proud. This is a very special auction. Thankyou James and all our spotters,” a proud Dad said of his Mini Trot winning son.
For the record there were 22 colts, 21 fillies, and one gelding up for grabs on Sunday.
Results from the 2024 Garrard’s Yearling Sale Series 17 held at Redcliffe Paceway on Sunday (March 24) were
Lot 1) An Ohoka Punter – Digby Diva filly sold by Cameron Spencer to Dale Chalk for $4,000.
2) Sweet Lou – Patience Pays filly bought back by Trent Dawson for $26,000.
3) The Storm Inside – In The Midnight Hour colt sold by Burwood Stud to B. Oberthurer for $26,000.
4) Bling It On – Cupcake Gaby colt sold by Monarch Farm to Lindsay Gallagher for $16,500.
5) Tiger Tara – Significant Art colt withdrawn.
6) A Good Chance – Early Harvest colt sold bought back by Trent Smith for $4,000.
7) Rock N Roll Heaven – Matron Jujon colt bought back by Dr John Mammino for $11,000.
8) The Storm Inside – Our Ice Ice Baby colt sold by Karina Johansen to Darren McCall for $ 9,000.
9) Stay Hungry – Cullens Jewel colt bought back by Phil Mitchell for $7,000.
10 Follow The Stars – Datsalife filly withdrawn.
11) Franco Nelson – Glenisla colt sold by Trevor Barsby to Jonah Hutchinson for $4,500.
12) Highview Tommy – Barrieta Bliss filly bought back by Adam Richardson for $8,000.
13) Sepia Sands – Chiasso filly withdrawn.
14) Ride High – Harlequin Bromac filly bought back by D.J. Wearne for $13,000.
15) Changeover – Mad Milly colt sold by Gayle and Chris Garrard (OAM) for Greg Mitchell for $5,000.
16) A Rocknroll Dance – Stylish Feeling filly bought back by Brendan Sippel for $6,000.
17) Poster Boy – Baroness Bessie colt sold by Gayle and Angus Garrard to Adam Richardson for $11,000.
18) Follow The Stars – Atom Bomb Angel colt sold by Burwood Stud to Tess Neaves for $11,000.
19) Tintin In America – Segesta filly bought back by the Alf Laspina Family Trust for $11,000.
20) Stay Hungry – Gwendalion colt bought back by Dan Russell for $5,000.
21) Bling It On – Pippi filly bought back by Allan Godwin for $2,000.
22) Pet Rock – Three Kisses colt sold by Karina Johansen to Darren McCall for $7,000.
23) Sepia Sands – Cest La Classe filly withdrawn.
24 Changeover – Sixpenny Evens colt sold by Chris Garrard (OAM) to Gary Litzow for $8,000.
25) Ohoka Punter – Party In Paris filly bought back by Lawrence Feehely for $22,000.
26) Stay Hungry – Ilikemillie filly withdrawn
27) Boom Boom Hall – Melton Lady Martha filly sold by George Michael to S. Fitzgerald for $2,000.
28) Captain Crunch – Mind Of My Own colt bought back by the Solid Earth Company for $10,000.
29) American Ideal – Bonnie Jujon filly bought back by Dr John Mammino for $14,000.
30) Ohoka Punter – Burwood Beauty filly bought back by Maureen Smith for $2,000.
31) The Storm Inside – Lilbitabrownsugar colt withdrawn.
32) Ultimate Machete – Roll Ona Rainbow colt sold by Ross Patrick to Allan Whitecross for $7,500.
33) A Rocknroll Dance – The Tom Boy gelding sold by Karen Schulz to Alan Donohoe for $19,000.
34) Bling It On – Jeremes Omission colt bought back by J.A. Briggs for $4,500.
35) Tintin In America – Gidup Tuscany Gold colt sold by Monarch Farm to Shane Graham for $10,000.
36) Ohoka Punter – Elusive Heart filly sold by J. Polson and D. & R. Johnston to Kerry Ebert for 11,000.
37) Tall Dark Stranger – Our Neenah filly bought back by Phil Mitchell for $45,000.
38) Bling It On – Holme Call colt sold by Burwood Stud to Martine Dwyer for $16,000.
39) Always B Miki – Frostiness filly bought back by Vic Frost for $10,000.
40) Tiger Tara – Coralie Joy colt sold by Darcel Lindau to Jonah Hutchinson for $8,500.
41) Sepia Sands -Ttessellation colt withdrawn.
42) Soho Tribeca – Arts Bliss filly sold by Foggy Hollow Stud to T. Hamilton for $4,000.
43) Bling It On – Dance Like A Dream filly bought back by Paul Mullen for $1,000.
44) Captain Crunch – Good Luck Charm filly bought back by the Solid Earth Company for $42,500.
45) Boom Boom Hall – Melton Carathee filly bought back by George Michael for $400.
46) Ohoka Punter – Goodtime Stride filly withdrawn.
47) Vincent – Village Art filly bought back by Colin Godden for $8,000.
48) Always B Miki – Likeness filly bought back by Vic Frost for $13,000.
49) Franco Nelson – Happy Huntress filly sold by Burwood Stud to Trent Dawson for $10,000.
50) Sepia Sands – Silver Tail Lady colt withdrawn.
51) Bling It On – Roller filly sold by D. P. Falla to A. Brown for $16,000.
52) For A Reason – Rocknroll Annie filly sold by J. and M. Denning to Boots Properties for $25,000.
53) Poster Boy – Impressive Diamond colt bought back by D. J. Wearne for $40,000.
