Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
Ten yearlings broke the million-dollar barrier on day one of the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (compared to four on Day 1 last year) led by Lot 158 who made $3 million to the bid of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds near the end of the day. The Home Affairs colt from Group 1 winner Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) was sold by Coolmore Stud.
The first day of selling benefited from the smaller, more selective catalogue with both the average and median up on 2024, however, the clearance rate was down from 82 per cent in 2024 at 79 per cent in 2025.
Vendors gained in 2025 with the average price moving to $488,798 (up from $373,415 for day one in 2024), while the median on the first day rose to $375,000 (up from $300,000 in 2024).
With less lots catalogued on day one of 2025 compared to 2024, the gross for the first session was slightly down at $63,055,000 for 129 lots sold. Day 1 2024 saw 183 lots sell for a gross of $68,335,000.
The leading buyer by gross on the first day was Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds who bought seven yearlings for $5.4 million at an average of $776,400. They also purchased the most horses on Day 1, with Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock purchasing four, a figure matched by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing. B2B Thoroughbreds purchased three lots in their own name and another in partnership.
Arrowfield Stud was the leading vendor on the first day selling 16 yearlings for $10.48 million, with Coolmore Stud coming in second selling 13 yearlings for $9 million. Coolmore led on average at $714,000.
The top 10 lots were spread across seven different stallions, but it was no surprise to see Snitzel as the leading stallion with two of the top three sales. On day one, 12 of his progeny sold for $9 million at an impressive average of $822,000; while I Am Invincible was close behind with nine yearlings sold for an average of $739,000.
At the end of Day 1, first season sire Home Affairs has the impressive achievement of having had the sale topper at both Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025.
With the sale topping yearling, Home Affairs leads the first season sires after the first day with nine lots sold for $4.7 million, averaging $528,000.
#1. A hot 30 minutes at Riverside
After a roaring day's trade, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale became frantic as the progeny of mares beginning with S walked into the ring. The sale topping colt by Home Affairs, sold for $3 million, is the first foal of Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt), but the colt wasn’t the only focus of a thrilling few minutes in the ring with two other million plus lots selling in the three lots prior to him.
“Obviously it’s a sale where you’ve got to be very strong on the horses that you have selected. We have been very selective at this sale and he stood out from early stages,” Bott said.
Lot 158 - Home Affairs x Shout the Bar (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
This was followed by Lot 154, a filly by Snitzel from Group 3 winner Sexy Eyes (Written Tycoon) selling to James Harron Bloodstock for $700,000, followed by Lot 155 a stunning grey colt by Extreme Choice from Shadow (Medaglia D’Oro {Jpn}) who was bought by B2B Thoroughbreds for $1.7 million.
Next up, Lot 156 was the Maurice (Jpn) filly from Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock) who made $1.4 million to Dean Hawthorne. Ringside then had a small breather with Lot 157, the Too Darn Hot (GB) from Shosha (Deep Impact {Jpn}) selling for $330,000 before the sale topper stepped into the ring.
People keen to see what the first foal of dual Group 1 winner Shout The Bar would bring as Lot 158, and they weren’t disappointed as Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds went to $3 million.
Coolmore team with sale topper, Lot 158 - Home Affairs x Shout The Bar colt | Image courtesy of Coolmore
The thrills didn’t end there with two big prices a few lots later with Lot 161, a Snitzel colt from Sierra (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) who made $900,000 and Lot 162, an I Am Invincible filly from Group 1 winner Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) made $850,000.
#2. Success never sleeps
Coolmore went back to the source of past success when buying the full brother to their G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland (Snitzel). Lot 76 lit up the ring on Day 1, selling for $2.7 million to become the fifth highest sale at Easter since 2020. Coolmore also sold the sale topping $3 million colt by Home Affairs from Group 1 winner Shout The Bar to Gai Waterhouse and partners.
Lot 76 - Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior (Can) (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Overnight, Coolmore had two Group 1 winners with Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) winning the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Dubai’s World Cup meeting, justifying Coolmore (in partnership with Resolute Racing)'s 3 million gns (AU$6.67 million) investment at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
A few hours later, 3-year-old colt Journalism (USA) (Curlin {USA}) proved he was the real deal in winning the G1 Santa Anita Derby and is favourite for the G1 Kentucky Derby. Coolmore bought into him earlier in the week, and will stand him when he retires. The lads were back buying the second top lot at Inglis on Sunday which just emphasises the global reach of the organisation.
Offered by Arrowfield Stud, who sold Switzerland for $1.5 million to Tom Magnier, there was spirited bidding between Coolmore’s Tom Magnier and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, with Magnier coming out on top after a lengthy battle. As the auctioneer, Brett Gilding said, “you could’ve won the Golden Slipper in the time he’s been in the ring.”
“We have had a lot of luck buying horses at this sale from Arrowfield. They have done a great job with their horses again and they’re smart breeders,” said Magnier.
Paul Messara and Tom Magnier | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He was a lovely type. Those Messaras they know how to do it, so we have to go where you find oil drilled before. When there’s a nice horse, all the good people are on them, it sometimes gives you the confidence to kick on as well.”
“He (Lot 76) was a lovely type. Those Messaras they know how to do it, so we have to go where you find oil drilled before.” - Tom Magnier
Since 2020, only three yearlings have surpassed $2.7 million at Easter, obviously led by Quinceanera (Pierro) out of Champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) who made $10 million last year, while Ernaux (I Am Invincible) a filly from Group 1 winner Booker (Written Tycoon) was purchased by Resolute Racing for $3 million at the same sale. In 2022, Kandinsky Abstract (Zoustar) also sold for $3 million. They are joined by this year's sale topper.
#3. Metrics up across the board
Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch was effusive in his praise of vendors and his team in creating an environment of success on Day 1.
“It’s far more fulfilling day than any of us would’ve envisaged at any stage in the last 11 months. We had a fantastic sale here last year and we were really proud of it and genuinely felt that it would have been very difficult to live up to,” said Hutch.
“Even allowed for the fact that sentiment (around the grounds) felt very positive, for it to have played out the way it did was quite extraordinary.”
“Even allowed for the fact that sentiment (around the grounds) felt very positive, for it to have played out the way it did was quite extraordinary.” - Sebastian Hutch
With the median and average both up on 2024, the smaller catalogue likely played a part too with a tighter selection process around the horses in the sale.
“It would be a mistake not to look at today in the context of all the sales all year. In isolation, you could interpret the sale in one way, but in the context of all the sales it was a fantastic day. Clearance will get to 80 per cent for the day, and that’s before we get our teeth into selling the passed in lots.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
“The growth in the metrics has been mind blowing. And that’s been due to the tremendous support we have had from our vendors and the efforts our team is putting in to making sure no stone is left unturned.”
#4. Top 10 lots by seven different stallions
With all the expectations being that the three heavy hitting big sales stallions, Snitzel, I Am Invincible, and Zoustar would dominate, the top 10 lots were spread between seven different stallions. Colts were the top four lots and made up six of the top 10.
In the end the predictions were nearly correct with Snitzel, Extreme Choice, and I Am Invincible each having two lots in the top 10. Home Affairs led with the sale topping colt, Lot 158 at $3 million.
Snitzel had the second and third top lots with Lot 76, the full brother to Switzerland making $2.7 million and Lot 16 from La Mexicana (I Am Invincible) making $1.7 million.
Lot 16 - Snitzel x La Mexicana (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Extreme Choice, who had just three lots through the ring on Day 1, sold two in the top 10 with Lot 155 being equal third at $1.7 million for the grey colt from unraced mare Shadow (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). His other colt, Lot 91 made $1.15 million to YLP Racing, who said, “I think he will be our next Blue Diamond or Golden Slipper winner, like Devil Night, and he’s from a stallion family and he’s from a farm we respect. He’s already a winner in our hearts,” said Jun Zhang.
Maurice (Jpn), Zoustar, and So You Think (NZ) made the rest of the top 10 lots on Day 1.
#5. Angus Robertson steps up like a pro
Inglis auctioneer Angus Robertson stepped up for his first Easter Sale and was thrilled with the vibe of Day 1. “It’s my first time at Easter. My actual first sale was the Highway Session of the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Like anything, you do get a bit of nerves but as Jonathan D’Arcy said, ‘I’d be worried if you didn’t get nervous.’ Lots of people around the ring before the sale were very reassuring in offering good luck,” said Robertson.
“I’ve been getting to know the vendors over the last few years which helps, and getting those words of assurance from them is comforting. There’s pressure, of course, it’s our headline sale and ultimately every horse is important. When you can get a big result in the ring, well beyond reserve, it’s satisfying to get reward for the practice we’ve put in.
“There’s pressure, of course, it’s our headline sale and ultimately every horse is important. When you can get a big result in the ring, well beyond reserve, it’s satisfying to get reward for the practice we’ve put in.” - Angus Robertson
“When you have an average close to $500,000, you’ve got to be on the ball. The other three auctioneers have been good to me in terms of mentoring, watching video and reviewing, until I could get my skills to this level. And to have D’Arcy clerk me, looking over my shoulder gives you confidence too.
“Whilst there are challenges in every market, it’s satisfying to see a set of metrics like this given all the pre-market sentiment. Having one of our biggest days in history gives us faith in our systems, and makes us appreciate the support from vendors, if they didn’t do this, we couldn’t do what we do. To get to the end of Day 1 and put up those metrics, we are reciprocating what the vendors have done.
Angus Robertson | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Auctioneering is only a small part of it. It takes the bloodstock staff, people following up passed in lots, media team, the finance and accounts team, it’s a big team with lots of moving parts and it takes a herculean effort from everyone to make it run like today.”
#6. The last two Deep Fields to sell as yearlings
With only seven foals in successful sire Deep Field's final crop, two of them were catalogued at Easter and both sold on the first day for an average of $425,000.
Deep Field was sensationally fast as a racehorse and that translated to his progeny with 39 stakes winners and four at Group 1 level, being Portland Sky, Sky Field, Voyage Bubble, and Al Muthana. His sons Cosmic Force and Portland Sky both look to have bright futures.
Sold by Yulong, Lot 38 is the second foal of Snitzel mare Macroua who won the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes and is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris (Invader). She sold to Kia Ora Stud for $550,000.
Lot 38 - Deep Field x Macroura (filly) | Image courtesy of Inglis
“She was our pick of the fillies of the sale, the most beautiful athletic sort of filly you’d come across. Loved the pedigree, obviously Deep Field over Snitzel and the dam herself is a group winning three-quarter sister to Sunshine In Paris," said Shane Wright of Kia Ora Stud.
"She has so much going for her. This is the sort of filly who can make her own pedigree even if it wasn’t there, and luckily enough she has this pedigree behind her. She looks ready to go and we are very excited about her."
Lot 23 - Deep Field x Lashes (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
The colt, Lot 23, offered by HP Thoroughbreds sold to Matthew Smith Racing for $300,000. He is the first foal of Lashes (I Am Invincible) who won five races, four in the city, and over $300,000. She also ran fourth in the G3 Geoffery Bellmaine Stakes behind Group 1 winner Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
Top lots
| 158 | B. | Colt | Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | Home Affairs | Shout the Bar | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds | $3,000,000 |
| 76 | B. | Colt | Arrowfield Stud, Scone | Snitzel | Ms Bad Behavior (CAN) | Tom Magnier | $2,700,000 |
| 16 | B. | Colt | Segenhoe Stud, Scone | Snitzel | La Mexicana | James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership / Tony Fung Colts / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing | $1,700,000 |
| 155 | Gr. | Colt | Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | Extreme Choice | Shadow | B2B Thoroughbreds | $1,700,000 |
| 108 | B. | Filly | Cressfield, Scone | I Am Invincible | Pippie | Champions Farm / Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA) | $1,400,000 |
| 156 | B. | Filly | Arrowfield Stud, Scone | Maurice (JPN) | Shoals | Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock | $1,400,000 |
| 70 | B. | Filly | Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | I Am Invincible | Missile Mantra | Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock | $1,200,000 |
| 19 | B. | Colt | Widden Stud, Widden Valley | Zoustar | Lady Lupino | Lucky Owners Pty Ltd | $1,150,000 |
| 91 | B. | Colt | Gilgai Farm, Nagambie, Vic | Extreme Choice | Ocean Jewel | YLP Racing | $1,150,000 |
| 105 | Br. or Blk. | Filly | Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | So You Think (NZ) | Personal | Glentree Thoroughbreds / Badgers Bloodstock | $1,150,000 |
Buyers by aggregate
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 7 | $5,435,000 | $776,429 |
| Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock | 4 | $3,750,000 | $937,500 |
| B2B Thoroughbreds | 3 | $2,825,000 | $941,667 |
| Tom Magnier | 1 | $2,700,000 | $2,700,000 |
| YLP Racing | 3 | $2,075,000 | $691,667 |
| James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership / Tony Fung Colts / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing | 1 | $1,700,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Shane McGrath Bloodstock / Clinton McDonald Racing | 4 | $1,650,000 | $412,500 |
| Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock | 2 | $1,500,000 | $750,000 |
| Champions Farm / Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 |
| KPW Bloodstock | 3 | $1,275,000 | $425,000 |
Buyers by average (2 or more bought)
| B2B Thoroughbreds | 3 | $2,825,000 | $941,667 |
| Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock | 4 | $3,750,000 | $937,500 |
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 7 | $5,435,000 | $776,429 |
| Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock | 2 | $1,500,000 | $750,000 |
| YLP Racing | 3 | $2,075,000 | $691,667 |
| Hong Kong Bloodstock / NPC | 2 | $1,250,000 | $625,000 |
| China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock & Partners | 2 | $1,225,000 | $612,500 |
| John Singleton Group | 2 | $975,000 | $487,500 |
| Triple Crown Syndications | 1 | $475,000 | $475,000 |
| Hong Kong Jockey Club | 2 | $910,000 | $455,000 |
| Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 2 | $910,000 | $455,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone | 18 | 2 | 16 | $10,480,000 | $655,000 | |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | 14 | 1 | 13 | $9,280,000 | $713,846 | |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley | 10 | 2 | 8 | $4,650,000 | $581,250 | |
| Vinery Stud, Scone | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | $4,600,000 | $657,143 |
| Cressfield, Scone | 7 | 1 | 6 | $3,380,000 | $563,333 | |
| Segenhoe Stud, Scone | 6 | 2 | 4 | $2,460,000 | $615,000 | |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | 5 | 1 | 4 | $2,460,000 | $615,000 | |
| Gilgai Farm, Nagambie, Vic | 4 | 4 | $2,110,000 | $527,500 | ||
| Sledmere Stud, Scone | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | $2,085,000 | $297,857 |
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca | 6 | 2 | 4 | $1,910,000 | $477,500 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | 14 | 1 | 13 | $9,280,000 | $713,846 | |
| Vinery Stud, Scone | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | $4,600,000 | $657,143 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone | 18 | 2 | 16 | $10,480,000 | $655,000 | |
| Segenhoe Stud, Scone | 6 | 2 | 4 | $2,460,000 | $615,000 | |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone | 5 | 1 | 4 | $2,460,000 | $615,000 | |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley | 10 | 2 | 8 | $4,650,000 | $581,250 | |
| Cressfield, Scone | 7 | 1 | 6 | $3,380,000 | $563,333 | |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow | 2 | 2 | $1,100,000 | $550,000 | ||
| Gilgai Farm, Nagambie, Vic | 4 | 4 | $2,110,000 | $527,500 | ||
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca | 6 | 2 | 4 | $1,910,000 | $477,500 |
Sires by aggregate
| Snitzel | 23 | 7 | 4 | 12 | $9,865,000 | $822,083 |
| I Am Invincible | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $6,650,000 | $738,889 |
| Zoustar | 14 | 3 | 11 | $6,270,000 | $570,000 | |
| Home Affairs | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $4,760,000 | $528,889 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 11 | 2 | 9 | $4,450,000 | $494,444 | |
| Extreme Choice | 4 | 1 | 3 | $3,300,000 | $1,100,000 | |
| So You Think (NZ) | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | $3,290,000 | $365,556 |
| The Autumn Sun | 6 | 1 | 5 | $2,025,000 | $405,000 | |
| Wootton Bassett (GB) | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | $1,990,000 | $331,667 |
| Per Incanto (USA) | 4 | 4 | $1,700,000 | $425,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Extreme Choice | 4 | 1 | 3 | $3,300,000 | $1,100,000 | |
| Maurice (JPN) | 3 | 1 | 2 | $1,650,000 | $825,000 | |
| Snitzel | 23 | 7 | 4 | 12 | $9,865,000 | $822,083 |
| I Am Invincible | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $6,650,000 | $738,889 |
| Zoustar | 14 | 3 | 11 | $6,270,000 | $570,000 | |
| Home Affairs | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | $4,760,000 | $528,889 |
| Toronado (IRE) | 3 | 3 | $1,550,000 | $516,667 | ||
| Written Tycoon | 4 | 2 | 2 | $1,010,000 | $505,000 | |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 11 | 2 | 9 | $4,450,000 | $494,444 | |
| Gun Runner (USA) | 2 | 2 | $875,000 | $437,500 |
