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26.
$1.4 million Colt Fails X-Ray Test
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08/04/2002 |
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The x-ray debate in last week's William Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale has taken a bad twist with one of the four million dollar sales being cancelled.
The Danehill colt out of Verocative who was knocked down to Gooree Stud on Thursday for $1.4 million but the deal was terminated after unsatisfactory x-rays were returned.
Inglis Marketing Manager Melissa O'Gorman said the sale cancellation was a huge disappointment for everyone involved.
She also praised Ron Gilbert of Highgrove Stud, the vendor of the yearling, in the way he dealt with the situation.
"Ron told everybody when they were inspecting the yearling that he would stand by the sale and would allow x-rays," O'Gorman said.
"The whole issue was handled very, very well and it was very amicable."
"Obviously it is a huge blow for Highgrove," O'Gorman added.
The whole x-ray debate at the sale hit the headlines when Inglis refused to make the practice compulsory when required by buyers.
In a late semi-compromise Inglis allowed the x-rays to be taken if approved by the individual vendor.
"Many of the vendors allowed x-rays to be taken following each sale," O'Gorman confirmed.
The $1.4 million colt will now be returned to Highgrove Stud's base at Westbrook in Queensland's Darling Downs region.
Andrew Baddock the Australian representative for Gooree said at the time of the hammer falling the youngster was "the star colt of the sale."
Baddock added the youngster appeared to be a "real slipper type."
At the time of the sale, the all time Highgrove yearling sale record of $525,000, set at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January had been close to tripled.
Ron Gilbert, the man behind Highgrove Stud, said he was obviously disappointed the sale fell through but he was still upbeat today.
"We still own a very well bred horse who was regarded to be one of the best in a great catalogue," Gilbert said.
"The money is irrelevant," he added. "It would have been nice for it to all end like a fairytale, but perhaps it will and it could be a great bonus for us."
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