The 2022 Capricornia Yearling Sale hosted at the Rockhampton Showgrounds has produced a 34-year record with a sales gross of more than $1.5 million on Sunday afternoon.
The three-day carnival in the nation’s beef capital saw two quality days of racing run and won across Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, headlined by the $125,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic 2YO Plate (1200m) and the $75,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale 3&4YO Handicap.
The locals shared the spoils in both feature races, with the Jamie McConachy-trained Sammiballerina proving too good for Zipping Irish and Street Glory in the 2YO Classic, while Jared Wehlow’s Courtesy Bus edged out 2021 3&4YO Classic winner Natural Emperor in the 2022 edition.
Attention turned to the sales ring on Sunday, where 119 lots pass through at a clearance rate of 78% and an average sale price of approximately $16,800.
Jorson Farm produced the top lot – a filly by Better Than Ready out of Umanova – with Glen Donnellan purchasing the filly for $55,000, while the hammer dropped at $50,000 for a further three yearlings.
Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant, Ben Culham, went to Rockhampton for the sales, saying it was a “fantastic sale”.
“It was great to be involved – it was a fantastic sale,” Culham said on the Rockhampton Jockey Club’s Facebook page.
“There was a lot of competition on every horse, the vendors supported it with bringing good product, and what’s really exciting up here is the number of young trainers and young participants involved in the industry and really investing and trying to get involved with the raceday.
“Raceday yesterday, there was great energy with it, there was a lot of interaction with it and now all of a sudden everyone’s coming here (the sales) to try and get involved for next year, so onwards and upwards.”
While the high figures spoke for themselves in what was a record-breaking sale, another key indicator was the fact that arguably Australia’s most prevalent thoroughbred stable, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, purchased a yearling on Sunday afternoon.
Previously, Ciaron Maher Racing had been active at every yearling sale in the country apart from the Capricornia Yearling Sales, but they can now tick the Central Queensland event off their list, thanks to the purchase of a Denman filly which they paid $40,000 for.
All eyes will once again be on Rockhampton – and Callaghan Park especially – on May 7 with the running of the inaugural $440,000 The Archer (1300m).
The slot race has already attracted some big names, with the likes of Group 1 winners Tyzone and Streets Of Avalon set to head there, along with other confirmed starters Gem Song, Apache Chase, Emerald Kingdom and Holyfield.
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