March 4, 2025Newhaven to the fore at Melbourne Premier
Book 1 of the 2025 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale saw Newhaven Park very much to the fore, selling sizable six-figure colts and fillies on the two days of trading, and the draft generally proving to be well received by the strong buying bench in attendance.
Offered as Lot 433, a bay son of Wootton Bassett (GB) from Sancta proved to be one of the outstanding colts of the sale when selling to Legend Racing for $400,000. The price-tag was the highest amount paid for a member of the high-flying breed at Oaklands Junction and it will be a thrill for everyone associated with the youngster to see him race in the prominent racing colours of Bon Ho down the track.
Lot 55 of the quality catalogue ended-up the top-priced filly sold by the Newhaven Park team. A first crop daughter of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside produced by the US stakes placed Medaglia d’Oro (USA) racemare Backflash (USA), she was knocked-down to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $340,000.
The Melbourne Premier surfaced as another successful auction for Newhaven Park resident sire Xtravagant (NZ) in the 2025 sales series. Following on from eight of his progeny all being sold for six-figure sums at the Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Classic combined, a further two members of his 2023 foal crop went for $100,000-plus in Melbourne.
Firstly, Lot 108 (Xtravagant [NZ]-Chloebell) brought $120,000 when purchased by Flemington-based trainer Nick Ryan who said on his Social Media channels soon afterwards: “Thrilled to be taking lot 108 home today. An absolute standout for us at the sale.”
Also on Day 1, an Xtravagant (NZ) filly ex Disbelieve (GB) realised $160,000 when secured by Shane McGrath Bloodstock & Clinton McDonald Racing — notably, the second biggest buyers of yearlings offered in Book 1.
In addition to the aforementioned, Newhaven Park also sold six-figure colts by Nicconi and Capitalist to DC Ellis & Te Akau Racing Australia & Fortuna Racing and Woburn Farm NZ for $200,000 and $150,000 respectively, as well as another Xtravagant (NZ) filly (ex Disco Queen) to Lindsay Park Racing & Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for $90,000.
When Book 1 of the 2025 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale concluded late on Monday afternoon, 13 of the 15 yearlings Newhaven Park offered had sold for an aggregate of $1,780,000 and an average of $136,923.