An Australian-bred son of I Am Invincible (pic: HKJC) topped Friday’s Hong Kong International Sale (July) at Sha Tin when selling for HK$7.2 million (US$928,996/£745,519/€826,2 38).
The gelding, which sold for A$1 million at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale, is a half-brother to Gr1 South Australian Derby winner Volatile Mix out of the Gr3-placed Utopia (High Chaparral) and was purchased by Sze-To Kin Sun.
The next highest price as for a HK$6.5 million (US$838,677/£673,038/€745,909) Zoustar gelding out of a half-sister to multiple G1-winning New Zealand champion Volkstok’n’barrell, selling to Wong Kwong Miu.
All 19 lots sold at an average of HK$3.91 million while the median came in at HK$4 million.
“This was a very good sale, it exceeded our expectations,” Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Director of Racing Business and Operations, Bill Nader, said in a statement.
“Overall, we have to be pleased with the results and it might be a good sign for the economy in Hong Kong that things could be rebounding, because the money was with us tonight.
“The horses presented well and I don’t think anyone was surprised by the sale-topper. There was a good mix of pedigrees, I think the buyers had a lot of variety and hopefully there’s some value there for our owners.
“Last year we sold 20 lots at the July Sale averaging HK$2.4 million and this year we had 19 lots averaging over HK$3.9 million, so this sale was very healthy and we’re pleased with the results.”