The opening session of the 2003 Classic Yearling Sale attracted a great crowd at Newmarket this afternoon, in what has been a new initiative in selling 100 lots on the Sunday afternoon. A total of 61 yearlings were sold this afternoon at an average price of $30,657, an increase of 6.5% on last year and an overall gross of $1,900,750.

A half brother to this year’s Merson Cooper S. L winner Miss Terrain was the top lot of the first session. Slade Bloodstock of Victoria had to outlay $100,000 for lot 67, a Snippets colt out of Belle Banne after a keen bidding contest.

Trainers from throughout Australia were very active in the opening day including purchases by Bart Cummings, Gai Waterhouse, Tim Martin, John Symons, Mick Price, Lee Freedman, Paul Perry, Noel Mayfield-Smith, Graeme Rogerson, Gary Portelli, John Morrisey, Robbie Laing and Greg Hickman.

"Vendors who offered well conformed and well presented yearlings were handsomely rewarded. Buyers were very conscious of selecting on type this afternoon and weren’t afraid to back their judgement on the nicer individuals" commented Reg Inglis, Managing Director.

The Top Lots (session one)

The sale continues on Tuesday at 10.30am.