The 2025 sales season is set to kick off with the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, followed by other significant events including the New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale at Karaka and the Inglis Classic offering at Riverside Stables in Sydney. According to Inglis' Bloodstock CEO, Sebastian Hutch, the enthusiasm among breeders to offer yearlings at select sales remains high, ensuring a competitive landscape for places at premier Thoroughbred auctions across Australasia.
Market Dynamics and Vendor Opportunities
Hutch's early insights suggest that the volume of stock for sale in 2025 will reflect the matings planned back in 2022, with no significant changes anticipated. He emphasises the competitive nature of securing places in sales across Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the efforts of sales companies to accommodate as many vendors as possible.
“The yearlings that people are selling in 2025 are the product of matings that were considered in 2022, so I don't expect to see a significant change in the volume of stock being put forward for sale," Hutch explained to ANZ Bloodstock News. "As ever, it'll be hugely competitive for people to try and find places in sales across Australia and New Zealand."
Hutch also expressed confidence in the auction houses' ability to service vendors effectively and achieve positive results, ensuring a fair opportunity for all participants.
Trends and Expectations for 2025
Reflecting on recent trends, Hutch notes that the year-on-year figures for 2024 compare favourably with those of 2023, though they don't match the record-breaking turnover of 2022. He acknowledges that vendors had to work harder to sell their stock in 2024 but believes the market held up well overall.
“There was some concern about the depth and the strength of the domestic market and, as it turned out, it held up well," Hutch said. "We really did work hard to try and identify international investors in our sales series, and that bore fruit."
International Investment and Market Appeal
A key feature of the 2024 market was the level of international investment, which Inglis aims to build upon in 2025. The Australian racing product continues to appeal to global investors, with significant interest from regions including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the US. Notably, the Inglis Easter sale set a $10 million record for a yearling sold at auction, highlighting the international appeal.
“There were major investors from Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and the US,” Hutch noted. “That's something we're looking to develop and grow. The Australian racing product really appeals to people across the world in principle.”
As the entries for the Inglis yearling sales open and close on August 16, the anticipation and excitement for the 2025 sales season are palpable. With robust competition, significant international interest, and efforts to ensure fair opportunities for vendors, the upcoming year promises to be dynamic and successful for the Thoroughbred auction market in Australasia.