It was a Friday full of sale action at Tamworth’s AELEC today, with the second day of auction at the 2024 Nutrien Classic Sale.
Bidders were at the ready both in-person and online – the statistics are climbing, with the total sale clearance rate now at 77.19% with the day’s top sale of $160,000 and the average reaching $22,505. Total sales gross is just shy of $5 million – with two more days of sales yet to come.
3-year-old mares reigned supreme in today’s sale and top price of the day was Lot 292, DURKINS TEMPEST – HSH, a 3-year-old mare on account of Will Durkin who was fresh from a win in last night’s Open Campdraft final! The black mare by Hazelwood Conman out of Toomba Tempo (Stanton Stud Black Breeze) boasts proven genetics on both sides and was purchased by the Trustee for the Moy family.
Other highlights today included Lot 333, ELLA REY VON, a 3-year-old roan mare offered by Cody Hansen & Kellie Pickersgill. By Stevie Rey Von and out of Moranjee Crystal, who has already produced Nutrien Challenge and Classic finalists, sold for $150,000 to M & H Hughes.
Also hitting triple figures was another 3-year-old mare in BOONARA CROSSWORD, offered by Huon & Colleen Smith of Boonara Holdings. The stunning bay mare by Glencoe Last Word and out of proven producer Docs Double D, was purchased for $100,000 by Richard & Georgia Chugg.
Highest priced colt of the day was Lot 285, sold by a local vendor who has had a lot of success at the Nutrien Classic in Holly Clayden. Her impressive 2-year-old bay colt CALL ME DADDY, one of the first Call Me Mitch progeny in Australia and out of open winning mare Moore Park One Moore Rose, sold to WEC Industries Pty Ltd for $80,000 and was well presented by trainer Ben O’Reilly.
Buyer presence grew throughout the day and is set to peak towards the weekend, as buyers continue to flock to Tamworth’s AELEC for the opportunity to take home some of Australia’s most impressive young performance horses.
An electric Friday night saw the Dalgety Animal Health Stallion Shootout showcase final thrill a packed crowd in the indoor arena, as 39 stallions with progeny in this year’s Nutrien Classic Sale competed for the 2024 Champion title.
There is never a shortage of thrills during this event, and a jam-packed crowd enjoyed every moment. The dynamite combination of Hugh Miles on Peter Shumack’s stallion TIMES UP (One Time Pepto x Boon San Kitty) got spectators out of their seats with a 25-point, maximum score from the judges to win the round – a spinetingling sight!
However, for the Champion title it came down to the wire in the Aggregate over all three rounds – with Darren Towns on Tony & Kelly Pearce’s stud CONTRACTOR (Hazelwood Conman x Beaudestiny) adding a 23 score on the night for a total of 202 and 2nd place – but it was the Aggregate leader after the first two rounds in Steve Hart aboard his imported sire THE METALLIST (Metallic Cat x Moms Stylish Pepto) who’s 23 took their total score to 203, enough to clinch the Dalgety Animal Health Stallion Shootout title for 2024!
Congratulations to Steven, a well renowned horseman who with wife Toni imported the talented roan stallion from the US in 2018. Both Steve and Toni are long-term supporters of the Nutrien Classic and it seems fitting that they be rewarded this year – when they are donating a service fee to THE METALLIST which goes under the hammer at Lot 470 tomorrow as part of the fundraising efforts this year for the Classic Ladies Foundation, a small group in which Toni plays an integral role!
Day 8 of the Nutrien Classic will see Day 3 of the Sale begin at 8am. It is also “Super Saturday” for the Classic Ladies, with Sale attendees encouraged to wear pink and demonstrate their support. Three charity lots – a charity filly, mare and service fee will be auctioned – while the CLF hosts a delicious luncheon and fashion parade, draws their monster raffle and continues sales of their popular merchandise and caps. A fantastic start to the final weekend of the event!
Bidders are reminded that pre-registration for bid cards remains available online and remote buyers can also participate on the Auctions Plus website.
Entry to all Nutrien Classic events is FREE and full results, sale catalogue, bidding information and live webcast of the 2024 Nutrien Classic can be found at www.nutrienequine.com.au.
