The 2017 South Australian Yearling and Mixed Sale, organised by SA BOTRA, was conducted at Globe Derby Park on Sunday.
The sales average was $6542, down slightly on 2016, but for more yearlings going under the hammer.
Gary Newton, SA BOTRA Magazine Editor, and one of the key organisers of the sale, said his committee was happy with the sale.
“BOTRA conducts the sale as a service to the local industry, and with wonderful support from Harness Racing South Australia this year, the event went off well,” Mr Newton said.
“Horses that were well prepared attracted good money.
“Interstate vendors such as Alabar and Tony Peacock said they would definitely be back next year while I know Gary Crocker and Mark Carey were pleased with their sale results and hopefully might have more nominations next year.”
Mr Newton said the involvement of Harness Racing South Australia had been fantastic.
“Most of the staff attended and their involvement with the administration aspect was brilliant and took a lot of the load off Lois (BOTRA vice president, Lois Randall) and myself. Their expertise was invaluable and hopefully we can build on the partnership into the future.
“The disappointing aspect was the number of buy backs where vendors felt the yearlings were worth more than the market was prepared to bid.
Mr Newton said 10 of the 24 yearlings offered had been bought back, although two have been subsequently sold, after negotiation, to the under bidders.
“It is an area we need to look at, that was certainly many more than we would have liked.”
Top sale price was $12,000 paid by Bill Hartwig for the filly offered by Gary Crocker’s Walk Proud Pty Ltd by Falcon Seelster out of the Southern Cross winner Phyl Crocker.
Yearling sales totalled $157,000 for the average of $6542, down $34 on the 2016 figure.
