Cover image courtesy of Inglis
The inaugural catalogue for Inglis Digital USA, with the sale to be held on July 17, will be headlined by two stakes winning mares, Canadian champion sprinter Hazelbrook (USA) (Bayern {USA}) and multiple stakes winner Lucky Girl (Ire) (Exceed And Excel).
“We are excited to feature these two impressive entries in our inaugural sale as Inglis Digital USA,” said CEO Liza Hendriks. “The global demand for both buying and selling has been substantial, highlighting the international appeal of these two mares. They are the first of many high-quality listings to come, and we look forward to showcasing more in our July Sale and future sales.”
Liza Hendricks | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
SF keen to continue Inglis association
“We have a good working relationship with Inglis in Australia. Their brand has longstanding global reach, and a dynamic team heading up this American venture," said Tom Ryan, managing partner of SF Bloodstock who is consigning Hazelbrook.
Hazelbrook (USA) | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
“I have always been a big proponent of the digital market. It is well-launched in the USA, and I believe it will become a more significant part of our commercial market. If Inglis concentrates on attracting the right buyers for this first sale, the product will continue to flow. America has a vast market, and I believe there's room for more than one player.”
“If Inglis concentrates on attracting the right buyers for this first (Inglis USA) sale, the product will continue to flow. America has a vast market, and I believe there's room for more than one player.” - Tom Ryan
“Like every business, the consumer needs confidence in your technology and your team. Kyle (Wilson) and his team must work hard to secure a foothold in the USA, but the timing is right. There is clear proof of concept and global acceptance.
Ryan is keen for these digital sales to continue to evolve and adopt advancements in technology.
“I would like to see these digital markets implement advanced order-matching algorithms. If I knew there was a market for a particular product, I would likely try to fill that order. The anonymity of the digital process can be appealing to some buyers. A reward-for-effort program offering incentives for active buying and selling trading might be an interesting tactic.”
Tom Ryan, Gavin Murphy and Henry Field | Image courtesy of SF Bloodstock
“It's also great to see increased trading of stallion shares globally, allowing people to take instant advantage of recent results and create instant liquidity to reinvest.”
From Storm Cat’s family, Hazelbrook is in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) which is her first mating. She ran third on debut as a 2-year-old, then at three she won two in succession. At four, she developed nicely winning four of her six starts including the G3 Hendrie S. and G3 Ontario Fashion S. as well as running second in her other two starts that year.
She was crowned Canada’s Champion Older Female Sprinter for 2022 based on those efforts, and she won again at five before heading to the breeding barn with a career record of seven wins from 15 starts.
A half-sister to G3 Red Carpet H. winner Zuzanna (USA) (Wilburn {USA}), Hazelbrook’s fourth dam, Listed winner Alydariel (USA) (Alydar {USA}) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Royal Academy (USA), Group 2 winner Pancho Villa (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) and to Group 2 winner Terlingua (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) who is the dam of Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Storm Cat (USA).
“Hazelbrook is a very commercial physical, balanced, and strong. Looking deeper into her race record, you will see that she had tremendous raw ability; she was a champion sprinter. She ran a 5 1/2 Ragozin, which would match many Grade 1 horses,” said Ryan, referring to the Ragozin number system frequently used in America to assess form.
“Breeding a mare of her ability to a stallion with no limitations in Justify made perfect sense to me. Speed and versatility crossed with the high-cruising speed that Justify possessed and is reproducing globally.”
Lucky Girl
Grovendale’s Chance Timm was also keen to use Inglis Digital USA with their offering, Lucky Girl.
“With this horse it made sense to go to Inglis with the success of Exceed And Excel combined with American mares being successful in Australia. So we thought she’d garner a lot of attention from Inglis’ Australian base.
Lucky Girl (Ire) | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
“They have a huge presence in Australia and a loyal following and hopefully we’ll get her in front of their customer base. American form is specifically successful at translating into the commercial Australia breeding market,” said Timm.
Grovendale is a specialist sales preparation property run by James Keogh and Chance Timm, and they have made the news recently as the yearling vendors of G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (USA) (Fast Anna {USA}).
“Digital is quite new in America, it’s a very dynamic market. Through COVID it forced people to have a greater presence online and to handle their bidding remotely, and now even in person sales have digital bidding and remote bidding.
Chance Timm and James Keogh | Image courtesy of Grovendale Sales
“It’s a little too soon to know the long term balance between digital and in person sales. It’s ever changing. There’ll always be a place for in person sales, and it’s our job as consignors to place horses at the sale that will maximise their value.
Timm pointed out that digital is another placement option for them to consider for their clients.
“All horses have to meet certain criteria to be successful in different formats and digital is no different.”
“There’ll always be a place for in person sales, and it’s our job as consignors to place horses at the sale that will maximise their value.” - Chance Timm
“A sale like this is advantageous for a filly like Lucky Girl. Most serious buyers aren’t going to miss a filly like that at a traditional platform, but the beauty of a digital platform is that she’s got a broader market and the transparency of information boosts buyers’ confidence.”
Placed on debut at two in Ireland, Lucky Girl moved to America where she won her first two starts as a 3-year-old, both in Listed races, before adding a third Listed win in October 2023. Being sold as a racing and breeding prospect, Lucky Girl has won three of her 18 starts and holds a nomination to the Osunitas S. at Del Mar on July 21.
Exceed And Excel needs no introduction to Australian readers and as a broodmare sire, he’s already produced fifteen Group 1 winners in that role, led by Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, Ten Sovereigns, and emerging sire Astern.
Lucky Girl is out of four race winner Abbey Angel (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Listed winner Dusky Queen (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), dam of G3 Sheepshead Bay S. winner Royalty Interest (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}).
Entries for the Inglis Digital USA July Sale remain open through to July 8. Bidding will open July 12 at 2 pm ET (Tuesday July 13 4am AEST) and will close July 17 at 2 pm ET (Sunday July 18 4am AEST).
