Records smashed at Nutrien Classic as sales top $17 million
It’s being described as a new age for performance horse breeding in Australia, with the 2022 Nutrien Classic in Tamworth grossing more than $17 million, making it the most valuable event in the auction's 15-year history.
With a 92% clearance rate and average sale result of $27,000, the Nutrien Classic has been cemented as Australia’s leading campdraft competition and performance horse sale.
PHOTO: Holly Clayden with Bad in Black.
Three-year-old filly Bad in Black fetched the highest price of $550,000, breaking all Australasian sale records for a performance horse. It was the first time selling at the Nutrien Classic for vendor Holly Claydon of Loomberah Lodge Performance Horses.
“I have been wanting to get a foot in the door at the Nutrien Classic so I thought I’d bring my best one here to showcase what I have,” said Holly.
“The result is incredible, it’s surreal and hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
The Stevie Rey Von mare, out of Spinies Bad Girl was purchased by Willinga Park.
PHOTO: Yaven Champagne Romance.
The second top price of the sale and top priced four-year-old mare was Hazelwood Country Blues, sold on account of Terry and Chris Hall for $300,000. The third record broken was the two-year-old mare, Yaven Champagne Romance, selling for $260,000.
Top results for mares, geldings and stallions can be found here.
PHOTO: Wyatt Young with Fleetmaster
In addition to smashing sales records, six former harness racing horses were auctioned at the Classic for the first time, as part of a partnership between Nutrien Equine and the NSW Harness Racing Industry Standardbred Re-Homing Company.
“Each of the trainers who have introduced these harness racing horses to their new life as a saddle horse have done a remarkable job” said Peter Nugent, Chairman of the Standardbred Re-Homing Company.
“The capability to show the potential for not just these six horses but for any standardbred after racing through the Nutrien Classic was a wonderful opportunity.”
After the sale, each of these have found their new lives away from the racetrack. Some are heading north to become working horses on a major cattle station, some have gone to the Wollongong area to enjoy riding school activities and others will remain in the Tamworth region.
PHOTO: Ben Hall with Hunter View Conmaze.
Outside of the sale, the Nutrien Classic Campdraft saw Muttaburra’s Ben Hall take first and second place on board Hunter View Conmaze and Lealukas Kitty. Ben also won the Dalgety Animal Health Stallion Shootout with Sheros Traditional Acres and was awarded the NCCA Champion Rider on Chismus Cash. Full results for the 2022 Nutrien Classic Campdraft and Challenge can be found here.
PHOTO: Bronte Austen, Lauren Emmerton, Phoebe Boydell, Kylie Henry, Rob Clayton, Margaret Quinn, Maree Rogan and Tracey McClurg
Nutrien Ag Solutions Managing Director Rob Clayton congratulated the organisers on the successful event.
“The Nutrien Classic is a combined effort from the Tamworth Branch, led by Branch Manager Mark Witherdin, as well as the Nutrien Equine and Livestock teams,” said Mr Clayton.
“This year’s sale has raised the bar yet again, and it’s a credit to everyone involved.”
Visit Nutrien Equine for more information.