The excellent results for the 2016 Toomba Horse Sale held at the Indoor Equestrian Centre in Charters Towers on Sunday made the events 25th birthday milestone one for the record books.
Sale coordinator for Landmark Stud Stock Mark Scholes said the sale average and top price are new records.
“Also the total gross is definitely the best we’ve had since taking control of the sale in 2013,” Mr Scholes said.
He attributed the cracking result to the superb quality of the sale draft and the spirited bidding that ensued.
“I was very impressed with quality, breeding and genetics throughout the catalogue, the entire draft was of a very high standard,” he said.
“The amount of work that the vendors put into the preparing their horses for the sale was excellent and was reflected in the the results.
“On the other side of the equation we had 151 registered buyers for the sale, and the genuine inquiry leading up to the day was very strong, which showed in the bidding.
“We had buyers from as far down as southern New South Wales, all through North Queensland up to the Northern Territory and west to Kununurra.”
In total 89 horses were sold to average $7093, topping at $33,000 for a sale gross of $631,250 and an 89 percent clearance.
Two ridden stallions sold at the sale to average $19,000, with the record price reached in Lot 23 when Blair and Josie Angus, Angus Pastoral Co, Clermont, purchased quarter horse Rhondhu Excite N Acres for $33,000 from Barry and Liz Miller, Rhondhu Stud, Mingela.
Mrs Angus said she was attracted to Excite N Acres as he comes out of a “very nice mare family” running back to draft winner Doc’s Spinifex (IMP).
“He was also beautifully presented, he’s a real credit to his vendors,” she said.
“He’ll come home to Clermont where we’ll train him up and hopefully bring him back to compete at the Horse of the North Challenge.”
Mrs Miller said the 14.3 hands high, two and a half year-old will provide a perfect starting point to build a new stud.
“He’s one of those freakishly talented colts that only come around once in a while,” she said.
The stallion’s trainer Harvey Wakeford said he’s an exceptional colt that’s “well worth the money”.
The second top price of the sale came when Australian Stock ridden mare Laroona Gretchin Two from vendors the Glenwright Family, Laroona Pastoral Co, Charters Towers, was purchased for $26,000 by Terry and Robyn Hanigan, Hollywood Pastoral Co, Coonamble, NSW.
Mr Hanigan said he was impressed by her quiet gentle nature making her ideal for the whole family to ride.
“She was nursed along by a very capable trainer in Jess Hoffmann who has done an excellent job getting her ready for the sale,” he said.
“We’ll be using her for campdraft events and mustering work on the station.”
In total the 33 ridden mares/fillies sold during the sale averaged $7,970.
In other categories one led colt made $12,000; nine led fillies peaked at $15,000 to average $6,222; 14 led geldings hit $7000 to average $3661; and 30 ridden geldings topped at $20,000 to average $7033.
In all 20 horses cracked the $10,000 barrier which was a testament to the excellent work done by the vendors leading up to the sale and the enthusiasm for the sale draft exhibited by bidders.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the vendors, the Toomba Sale Committee, and our excellent panel of buyers for making the this year’s sale such a success,” Mr Scholes said after bidding concluded.