In This Months Edition
FEATURE INTERVIEWThe man with the gavel - Jonathon D'Arcy, Director, Inglis Inglis Director Jonathon D'Arcy in full
auctioneering mode Photo Credit: Inglis Jonathon D'Arcy recalls the sale. It was on a rainy Thursday morning at Easter in the days before a million dollar yearling had been sold in Australia. Trainer Geoff 'Doc' Chapman and owner John Denoon saw a magnificent colt by Bletchingly out of Verdi and decided they'd buy him and create history at the same time. Carefully they hatched their plan. They approached Inglis staff before the auction and said "We've got a million dollars to buy this colt, so take the bidding up and when it reaches a million as we expect it to, call it out loud and clear who the buyer is." So the bidding went as expected. It got to a mil and the bidding was with the Doc and Denoon. "Going once, going twice. Last time for a million dollars…" It was their's. In the bag. Then Bart struck. D'Arcy says Bart Cummings has an unusual way of bidding that few people are aware of. "He looks at the bid spotter and unlike most bidders who throw an arm up with exaggerated gusto, Bart merely raises those great bushy eyebrows of his a fraction to signify a bid." D'Arcy recalls Bart's eyebrow's gave a flicker that sealed the bid for $1.1 million and walked away with the horse. Jonathon said he'd never seen a more deflated pair of under bidders! They'd had a speech prepared for the press and all, but it was not to be. Of course, some take a losing bid worse than others. D'Arcy's seen some buyers throw their catalogues down in disgust when they are left as the under bidder. And some just plain don't like to lose out on a biding duel, period. D'Arcy always smiled when he saw the late Laurie Connell at the sales ring. "Now there was one very aggressive bidder." He recalls. "Laurie usually walked away with what he wanted. And in recent times, international horse player Charles Laird is one buyer who always wants to get what he's bidding for." But for every buyer that wants to be noticed, there are quite a few major buyers who wish to remain anonymous and actually purchase under a non de plume. D'Arcy's career in bloodstock goes back to the early 1980's. After gaining experience in various studs and stables in Queensland and NSW, he attended Glenormiston College in Victoria to further his studies in Horse Management. After completing his course, he got a six week placing at Inglis in Sydney and was offered a permanent placing. He's been there ever since. He recalls the pre- computer era. "Back then, they had to write all the pedigrees by hand. You used to start with last year's catalogue or even with one three years prior, depending on what you could find! But it was a great way to find out how to research and learn." He also did a lot of yearling inspections in those early days with Reg and John Inglis, which was invaluable in learning the various conformational aspects of thoroughbreds. Jonathon got his big break in auctioneering when Reg Inglis decided to stop selling. He started out auctioneering poddy calves at Camden before graduating to selling horses at Scone. Then when he was good enough, he eventually started auctioneering under the fig tree at Easter time. So what are the attributes of a good auctioneer? D'Arcy offers several pointers to aspiring auctioneers.
One sale that still stands out in Jonathon's mind is the ill fated 1989 Easter sale. It was a crazy time. Interest rates were north of 17%, the stock market crash had caught out many investors and the recession we had to have was just around the corner. But at that time, people were still spending like there was no tomorrow, queuing up to be part of questionable tax driven schemes which drove prices through the roof. The average for that sale jumped to $106K up from the previous year's average of $61K. After that record breaking sale, Jonathon recalls Reg Inglis having a drink with the staff after the sale. He said; "We've had a great sale, but now we have to go and collect it."  Bart's famous bushy eyebrows. Useful for
bidding… Photo Credit: Steve Hart The past dozen years has seen excellent growth, particularly the last three years where the sale has grown from $76M in 2004 to $116M in 2006. D'Arcy attributes this partly to the globalisation of the breeding industry and the international money being spent at the sales now. There is also the investment by Australian breeders who are purchasing top quality mares overseas and are now getting very good results for the progeny when they sell them here. He says "Shuttle stallions have been one of the main reasons for the growth in the Australian racing product. They attract international buyers and the prices these horses fetch in Australia are far less than what they would pay overseas. Then, when these buyers are down here, they are impressed by some of our local stallions." Australia is seen as an attractive and safe buying environment, especially by cautious US buyers. "We're not just in competition with Magic Millions and NZ Bloodstock, but with Tattersalls, Goffs and Keeneland, particularly for the high end buyers." D'Arcy thinks that there is scope for them to buy horses here, leave them as two years olds to race and then and possibly take them back to the States as 3 year olds.  Sales results, Inglis Easter Sales
Source Inglis 2007 The Classic sale held in Sydney in February is the first of these. Historically, it's been a sale which sees good horses sold at good value. Choisir and Silent Witness, two of the best sprinters in the world are Classic graduates. D'Arcy says "The types that sell well here are athletic types whom may lack that little bit of pedigree which would see them sold at Easter. Breeders know you can bring a horse here and it will stand out better than at other sales." The Melbourne Premier sale in March is the third biggest in Australia. "There is a lot of major buying power down there with the likes of Lee Freedman, Mick Price, Aquanita, Lloyd Williams etc. There's also a very good, wide base of trainers." says D'Arcy. Results were good for this year with total sales of $27.7M at an average of $60,206. Melbourne is also home to their Breeze Up sales, which Inglis have been conducting now for 16 years. They've experimented with this concept over the years by galloping horses at Randwick, Flemington and Moonee Valley prior to the sales, but now they have their own permanent track at Oaklands. Have these sales been successful in Australia? "We've sold some good G1 horses like Planet Ruler and Dignity Dancer, but one of the things holding this type of sale back is the psyche of the Australian buyer who doesn't wish to look foolish by paying way over what the pin hooker paid initially. Whereas overseas buyers don't mind paying a lot for a promising youngster. They see it as a great opportunity to buy and race a horse within a month or so, unlike a yearling which won't surface until the following year. In America and Europe, it's another industry aside from the traditional yearling sales. We're hoping it will continue to grow and see a future for it. But we need to attract more South East Asian and locals buyers." And looking ahead to this year's Easter sales, D'Arcy's eagerly anticipating them. "Buyers know they've selected the very best on offer when they buy here. Colts have great stallion potential, more so than any other sale. And fillies… there's great strength in residual value in fillies, who all have great pedigrees. There's also a great number of horses who go for under a $100K." D'Arcy says Inglis aren't about increasing the numbers sold at their premium sale. "We're restricted to numbers as we only have 620 boxes here in Sydney. We don't try and fill every box. We don't want this to be a Keeneland in July sale. We like to see a horse sold to its maximum price and like to develop strong relationships with our clients. Some of them have been selling with us for decades." The Newmarket saleyards certainly has a history and character all of its own. It's the only open arena in the world allowing strappers and millionaire owners to mix together under the giant Moreton Bay fig tree. Originally Newmarket was the first stop for Cobb and Co out of Sydney for coach drivers. Over the years, the complex has been remodelled. But stable three is the same as it was fifty years ago and Widden Stud have been selling from there for over fifty years. The movie Phar Lap was filmed there and of course Big Red himself was stabled at the old stable they call 'Newmarket' which is heritage listed now. In the old days, John Inglis would conduct all the auctioneering himself. He'd break for lunch and have the buyers and breeders around the house for a sandwich and a chat. Then he'd resume selling again in the afternoon session.  Under the fig tree at Inglis
Photo Credit: Inglis If you are at the sales over Easter, watch the man swinging the gavel closely. But don't raise your eyebrows too high, you may just walk away with a yearling. Written by Peter Klein - Business Manager Racing, AAP
2007 Golden Slipper PreviewAAP's Scott Gooley and Peter Klein give their preview of the 2007 Golden Slipper.PK: Scott, what can we make of the fillies that raced on Saturday? If you look at the Riesling Stakes it was a blanket finish. If you ran it again 3 times you might get 3 different winners. SG: That's right. It didn't provide too many answers or give us a stand out winner. PK: Can Press The Button improve on her win? SG: I think so. Glen Boss has stuck with her all the way through and she is trained by the master two year old trainer in David Hayes, who of course won the Slipper last year with Miss Finland. She's a definite chance. PK: What about his other runner, Sleek Chassis? She was three wide all the way and still found the line. SG: Absolutely. Nothing wrong with her run either. She's yet to run a bad race but Blue Diamond winners do not have a great record in the Slipper. I think it will get down to barrier positions on the day. PK: Danehill Smile would have to have doubts about starting, given her well documented problems last week. SG: You'd think so - the last thing you need are fitness problems or setbacks so close to the Slipper. But she's still $8 in today's markets, so she's being kept safe. PK: Has the bubble burst on Hawke's filly Forensics? SG: I think so. Forensics would have to improve on what we saw in the Reisling if she were to go on and win the Slipper. PK: OK, lets talk about the colts. The main lead up race on Saturday was the Todman Stakes won by Meurice. Wasn't he a big improver? SG: Yep, I really liked the way this bloke won on Saturday. First up for Gai. First start in Sydney. Got strong early form via Husson Lightning/Press the Button. Really went to the line well, can sit off the pace and finish the race off. PK: What about Shaft - is there any improvement left in him? SG: I don't think so, he was beaten fair and square. And he's going to have to take another big step up in a fortnight's time which worries me. I reckon Meurice will improve more from his first up run. PK: Warhead had a big wrap on it going into the race, but didn't seem to quite show enough. SG: Hard to see him turning the tables inside of two weeks. Seemed to have his chance in the Todman. PK: And Haye's colt Zizou, hasn't Haye's got some depth in his team? SG: Sure has. Zizou ran 2nd and was right in the finish of the Blue Diamond as well. He's a real little pro and if he draws well, he's right in the mix. PK: We haven't talked about a horse that was home in his stable on Saturday - Murtajill. I've been a fan of his since he won the Breeders Plate back in the Spring. He's the Slipper fave at $4.40. SG: He's the whole package isn't he? Got the looks, the trainer and the form. Deserves to hold the favourite tag. PK: The times on Saturday may be a little confusing. The fillies ran 1.10.50 for their 1200M race whilst the colts clocked 1.11.08. But we had that rain come down after the fillies race, which affected the rest of the meeting. SG: That's right. And Murtajill did run 1.9.63 to win The Skyline Stakes last start at Randwick. So we're probably none the wiser. PK: OK, down to business. We're still 10 days out, but what's your pick? SG: 1.) Meurice 2.) Murtajill 3.) Press the Button. Barriers and luck in running always play a big part in the Slipper but this year they'll be vital. PK: I agree, if you're drawn out it's just about curtains. I'm going: 1.) Murtajill 2.) Meurice and 3.) Sleek Chassis. 2007 NRLWith the 2007 NRL season set to commence on the 16th, Sportingbet Australia's Bill Richmond, talks about market activity leading into the start of the competition.The NRL season kicks off with defending Premiers, Brisbane Broncos taking on their QLD counterparts in the Cowboys. Fittingly, the Broncos have been well supported by the punting public according to Richmond. "We've taken $10,000 on them and cut their odds from $7.50 to $7.00. The $10,000 has rolled in during the past few days since their narrow loss to St Helens in the World Cup Challenge but we've written a stack of smaller bets since the market went up in September" The Broncos pulled off successive premierships wins in 1992-93 and again in 1997-98. They are the only side to successfully defend their title since 1990. "They're very popular with rank and file punters and they've got the runs on the board having gone back-to-back twice in the last 15 years." Another positive according to Richmond is the stability within the Broncos when compared to many of the other NRL clubs. Brisbane will hit the field with virtually the same side that beat Melbourne last year whereas many other teams are christening new head coaches and players in pivotal positions. But punters are taking a far more cautious attitude when it comes to NRL debutants, Gold Coast Titans. "If anything, their popularity is more for the wooden spoon than the premiership" said Richmond. "We offered the best price of $34 about the Titans when the first markets went up but there's been little support for them at this stage."  SportingBet Australia  *Prices quoted as of 12th March 2007 and subject to change.
For the latest odds, please visit -
www.sportingbet.com.au
Racing Review & Preview: Australian Cup and Newmarket HcpCan anyone remember The Australian Cup or Newmarket being run anywhere but Flemington? Neither can this scribe. But it didn't stop the meeting from going ahead at Caulfield due to the temporary closure of Flemington. 'Headquarters' is undergoing a new makeover comprising of a new grass surface and drainage system. The new pumping system will take away the threat of the Maribyrnong River tidal flows which have played havoc with Flemington's big floods over the years. Pompeii Ruler wins the 2007 Australian Cup
Photo Credit: What can you say about the others? Tawqeet ran a great race to finish 3rd. He too was booked to compete in Dubai but reports this week suggest the Caulfield Cup winner has an off-fore tendon injury and is under a cloud. El Segundo was disappointing and seemed to get a long way out of his ground. Perhaps he performs best fresh, with only two or three runs under his belt. Aqua D'Amore ran her usual honest race to finish 4th, while Perth galloper, Marasco, finished yet another luckless second. That was his third consecutive second placing in Melbourne in Group company in the Autumn. His trainer would be entitled to think he's run over a black cat. Marasco has certainly proved he's up to the grade. Perhaps his turn will come in the spring time.  Miss Andretti breaks the Newmarket record
Photo Credit: Crossword
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