Averages up, turnover and clearance rates down at Sydney Yearling Sales

An increase in average price and decreases in the number of lots sold, gross turnover and clearance rates and a demand for colts over fillies were the aftermath of this year’s round of yearling sales in Sydney. 

Nutrien Equine showed a significant 21 percent increase in average compared to the 2025 sale with colts jumping by a massive 39 percent. The average for fillies was up three percent. 

The gross turnover for this year’s sale was $4.8 million for 107 lots sold, down from $5.2 million for 140 head sold the previous year. 

The clearance rate dropped slightly from 74 percent to 71 percent. 

Australian Pacing Gold showed an increase of $100,000 from the previous year with the number of horses sold jumping from 41 to 48.  

The average price for colts rose by 11 percent compared to the 2025 sale, but fillies averaged 38 percent lower with the overall average dropping five percent. 

A total of 11 yearlings fetched six figures across the two sales, the same amount as the 2025 auctions. 

The highest price paid was $180,000 for the Captaintreacherous-Ah La Vitesse NZ colt at Nutrien Equine and the Bettor’s Delight-Maajida colt at APG. Another colt, by Sweet Lou out of Bang Bang Molly realised $160,000, while the top priced filly was the Captaintreacherous-Queen Of Pop miss at $160,000. 

A pair of Bettor’s Delight yearlings – a filly and a colt – fetched $150,000 and $140,000 respectively at the Nutrien auction. 

However, the middle to lower market was a tough sell with a number of vendors left to either meet the market and accept lower returns or pass-in their entries. There were 42 passed-in lots from 149 horses to enter the ring at the Nutrien sale and 30 passed-in from 78 offered at APG. 

Among the sires Bettor’s Delight topped the averages with 13 head sold across both sales at an average price of $88,461. Captaintreacherous averaged $87,692 for 13 lots, Somebeachsomewhere $65,833 (3), Sweet Lou $58,937 (16), Downbytheseaside $40,333 (6), Art Major $34,375 (12), Always B Miki $34,000 (5), American Ideal $28,166 (6) and Captain Crunch $25,187 (8). 

Bulldog Hanover was the leading first crop sire on average with $50,000 for three lots, while Pebble Beach’s eight head sold averaged out at $33,437. 

by Peter Wharton, for Harnesslink