Deep Field colt tops Classic sale so far

A Deep Field colt is the sale topper so far at the Inglis Classic sale, fetching $380,000 on the second of three selling days.

Consigned by Torryburn Stud, the colt out of Raheights will head to leading Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu’s stable.

Despite wild weather and localised flooding in south western Sydney, Tuesday’s auction was strong with 10 of the top 12 lots sold so far going through the ring.

“I didn’t expect him to go for that much. I thought maybe half of that figure but obviously the stallion is doing a good job and the horse has been brilliant the whole time here,” Torryburn’s Mel Copelin said.

“The sale has been brilliant. Despite the weather our inspection rates are up and our vet inspection rates are up.”

Yiu is a fan of Deep Field and said the stallion was popular in Hong Kong as he is in Australia.

“They are a very versatile kind of a horse. This one is a very nice individual, very athletic and I really liked him,’ he said.

The second top lot went to Caulfield trainer Andrew Noblet with the Newhaven Park colt by Nicconi out of Poison Ivy fetching $370,000.

Day Two ended with an average of $89,339 and a gross of $36,450,500.

Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith is the leading buyer with 11 lots so far on behalf of his clients.

At the end of the second session, 137 lots have sold for $100,000 or more, compared with 107 at an equivalent stage last year.

The sale continues on Tuesday with the final session of Book One followed by the Book Two Highway session.

The sale is usually held in conjunction with the rich Inglis race day at Warwick Farm but the main races, the $2 million Millennium and $1 million Sprint have been rescheduled to Wednesday after Saturday was washed out.