To quote from the catalogue “The HTBA Yearling Sale provides buyers an opportunity later in the season to purchase value yearlings……..” The catalogue supports this view. The progeny of 79 sires is an impressive number. Something of interest to everyone in the 224 lots on offer. We have selected five yearlings which, on pedigree, are worthy of consideration. Encosta de Lago is the broodmare sire of three of them.

Lot 48 b f So You Think – Miss Presidential

This cross has already produced four SW: evenly split between colts and fillies.  SW/r is a very impressive 7.27%.

Palaisipan won the G1 Tiara over1409m, Higher Ground the G3 Frank Packer Plate 2000, Street Gossip and Regardsmaree were successful at the L level over 1610 and 1409m respectively.

The female line has an impressive 6GFI of10.6%. Riverman and Rock of Gibraltar are powerful inclusions on the dam’s side. A PRI score of 99.6 gives Lot48 excellent pedigree score card.

Lot 174 b c Harry Angel – Classical Lass

Harry Angel appears to be up and running as a sire. This cross has already produced two SW. An incredible SW/r 28.6% is unlikely to be maintained; but it isn’t a bad start.

Encosta De Lago: No 2 Australia Broodmare Sire

Tom Kitten is a G1 winning 2yo over 2012m and was also successful at G3 and L level. Vicious Harry won 2 L races in France over 1100m.

The female line is average, 6GFI at 3.6%. It does contain the multi G1 winner Princess Coup. A PRI score of 87.5 gives lot 174  a competitive claim.

Lot 175 g f Frosted – Comarco

I must confess a slight bias to Frosted. I was at the Kentucky Derby when he went out as favourite; I think he ran fourth. Subsequently he reeled of victories in three of America’s most prestigious G1 races. Victory in the Metropolitan, Whitney and the Wood Memorial shows what a good racehorse he was. All sires in the male line are in the top drawer of American sires in the last 50 years. Frosted is the only one to step a hoof out of the country. The cross has produced a SW.

Ingratiating has won two G3 races. The Bletchingly (1208m), and Vain (1107m) Stakes in addition to two L races. The SW/r ratio is 11.11%. The PRI score is 81.3

There is nothing special about the female line, 6GFI is 3.80%.

Lot 211b f Star Turn – Granados

Star Turn is new. However, he has already sired 7 SW. Two of these are from Encosta de Lago mares. Golden Monkey Scored in a 3yo L race in Singapore over1206m, and Saltaire in the L Inglis Nursery over1006m. This cross shows an excellent SW/r of 10.53%.

The female line is good at 6GFI of 7.95. The even better news is that Lot 211 is right in the mix of black type relations. PRI score an impressive 96.3.

Lot 221 b c Flying Artie – Honeymooncruise

Flying Artie has been off to a good start with eight SW. Two of these have come from Fastnet Rock mares.  SW/r at 10.53% is excellent. Both winners scored at L stakes level. Giannis at 1509 and Vast Art at1409m.

Fastnet Rock: No 1 Australia Broodmare Sire

The dam’s line is strong with 6GFI of 9.09%. Another strength of the pedigree of Lot 221 is that in the 4×4 there are 30 horses. Seventeen (plus a couple of Danzigs) are black type winners, i.e. 63%. The PRI score is 87.9.

The Inglis HTBA Yearling sale will be a wonderful event. Enjoy yourself

After the heights reached in the Inglis Easter Sale, you might wonder what the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale 2024 can provide. There are still quality yearlings on offer. They are probably available at a price more buyers can afford. Thoroughbreds’ price (especially their service fee) is  a poor predictor of a foal’s prize-winning potential. There is hope in purchasing something affordable. We have selected five yearlings for consideration based on their pedigrees.

Lot 17 b c Churchill – La Breviere

For anyone interested in a horse with the potential to win the Melbourne Cup, Lot 17 is for you. Churchill has recorded 18 SW; only three have won at less than 1600m.  Two are winners at 2817m in Ireland. His progeny have seven G1 victories to date. The female line through La Breviere is very strong with a 6GFI score of 12.5%.

Churchill: European Champion Juvenile

Two notables in the female line are Outback Prince (T J Smith Classic) and Try My Best Champion Miler). Fastnet Rock is an ideal broodmare match for Churchill. It will put a bit of speed into his staying prowess. This cross has already produced a SW. Churchillian is a G3 winner in NZ over1610m. I rate lot 17 at PRI 95.6.

Lot 65 b f Rubick – Turf Belle

Through his dam Sliding Cube, Rubick joins the long line of super sires who carry the Best in Show genes. The most recent progeny was Almond Eye who won consecutive Japan Cups. Rubick has shown himself to be a sire of sprinters.

Rubick: A member of the Best in Show dynasty

Of his twelve SW, all have won at a distance less than 1600m: most at 1200m. Turf Belle’s female family has a 6GFI of a respectable 4.71%. The cross Rubick – Bel Esprit has produced one SW. Rubiquitous was successful in the L Mick Dittman Plate for 3yo over 1107m.  The PRI score for Lot 65 is 96.7.

Nicconi Yearlings

I have grouped these together because the pedigrees have different weaknesses. However, Nicconi is a successful sire. Just the connections of Nature Strip and if he can overpower any relevant weakness, a useful horse may result. For those readers who are interested in Nicconi yearlings, here are my conclusions.

Lot 70 b f Nicconi – A City Girl

PRI score 72.3; 6GFI 4.22. Scenic in sire line incompatible with all sires in female line

Nature Strip 22 wins,$20m stakes. Nicconi’s best horse

. Cross has produced one SW. Scorched Earth won the L Cramer Valley Pearl 1208m.

Lot 79 b f Nicconi – Bellissima Miss

PRI score 83.8; 6GFI 0.80. Only one SW in last 6 generations in female line. Cross has produced one SW. Exclusive Lass won L Black Pearl Classic 1200m.

Lot 82 br f Nicconi – Blessed

PRI score 78.3; 6GFI 2.88. Similar cross to Exceed and Excel mare as lot 70. Problem with Scenic incompatibility. A similar cross produced Scorched Earth.

Overall, there are good affordable yearlings at Inglis Gold Yearling Sale 2024