Commemorating its golden anniversary, the annual Australian Stock Horse Sale in Dalby shocked attendees after throwing an outstanding camp draft competition and a record-breaking auction of the top-priced horse, mare and gelding.
Previous records for the top-priced horse, mare and gelding were left in the dust after bidders from across the nation competed for the 279 lots of Australian stock horses that entered the arena.
The five-day event sold 258 lots, leaving a 92 per cent clearance rate.
The average sale price was $23,162, and the gross was $5,976,000.
Westlake Corina, lot 148, offered by Cameron Parker, Westwood, sold as the top-priced horse and mare of the sale, selling for $130,000 to RA Linneth, Tansey.
Matt Moffart, Kabra, presented the five-year-old black mare on behalf of Cameron.
“It’s a great achievement for Cameron, he will be very happy,” Matt said.
“It does get a bit nerve-racking when it gets to the pointy end of the stick, but she is a beautiful black mare and everyone would want to own one.
“When you enter a sale like this, I suppose you’re never really sure what people are willing to pay for them, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“When people see a great animal like this and want to pay for it they will, and that’s what happened. It’s a great story to be a part of.”
The second top-priced mare, Stareen Confetti, lot 145, was also purchased by the Linneth family for $80,000, offered by Nick Stark, Johnstown.
History was made in the gelding section after Westlake Collusion, lot 291, a four-year-old gelding sired by Hazelwood Conman sold for $70,000.
Local vendors Peter and Jess Turich said it was a terrific result.
“We couldn’t be more proud of him and happy with the home he’s gone to,” Jess said.
This marks the second time Peter and Jess have successfully topped the gelding section.
“We are pretty excited because we sold the top-priced gelding at last year’s sale for $62,000,” Peter said.
“We also bred the mare Westlake Corina, who set the record on day one, so we are on a high at the moment.”
Purchaser Kate Southern, Saint George, shared what features in Westlake Collusion stood out for her.
“He’s just a beautiful horse who has perfect conformation,” she said.
“Everyone in the stock horse industry knows Peter and Jess and their incredible operation, so to take one of their horses home is very pleasing.”
Say No Moore, lot 116 and Concealer, lot 293, both sold for $62,000 each, leaving them tied for the second top-priced gelding.
Say No Moore, an eight-year-old Chestnut was offered by the Curtin family, Ben Lomond New South Wales, and purchased via Auctionsplus by Ken Knudsen, Chinchilla.
Shannon Maguire, Dingo, offered Concealer, a four-year-old black horse, which Mick and Hayley Hughes purchased.
The top-priced stallion, Warregold Rainmaker, lot 243, a three-year-old grey horse offered by vendors Steve and Ursula Keating, Chinchilla, sold for $20,000 to Garth Christiansen, Taroom.
The Keating family have continued their success for the second time, having sold the top-priced stallion for now two years in a row.
Ray White Dalby principal David Felsch said although he felt tired come the event’s conclusion, he and his team were over the moon with the terrific result.
“Holding this event is a credit to everyone involved and the stock horse society. Achieving this fantastic result is really pleasing and humbling for us,” he said.
“From the ladies in the office to the auctioneers, the bid spotters and the whole team – everyone put in a huge effort across the board.
“I’d also like to extend a special thanks to Arubial Wagyu for their unbelievable 650 Wagyu heifers.
“This is the second year they’ve been with us and their cattle received great feedback from competitors.”
FACT FILE
Overall sale results
Out of the 279 lots offered, 258 were sold resulting in a 92 per cent clearance.
Sale gross: $5,976,000
Sale averages: $23,162
Top-priced sale horse: Westlake Corina, lot 148, sold for $130,000
Mares
Out of the 113 offered, 106 were sold
Average price: $27,495
Top-priced mare: $130,000
Geldings
Out of the 162 offered, 149 were sold.
Average price: $20,177
Top-priced gelding: $70,000
Stallions
Three of the four offered were sold.
Average price: $18,333
Top-priced stallion: $20,000
