NORMALLY when lot numbers and sales are down at a sale it's a cause for disappointment, but sometimes organisers are just happy an auction could proceed.
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That was the case for Sunday's Gold Crown Yearling Sales at Bathurst Paceway, which were still able to go ahead in the midst of coronavirus concerns thanks to strict measures and competent organisation.
Numbers of attendees coming in and out of the sales were closely monitored throughout the day as vendors kept a keen eye out for the yearling who might be the next big thing.
Dubbo-based auctioneer Graeme Board said while numbers were down there was still reason to be pleased with how the day unfolded.
"Numbers were down a little bit and I put that down to try drought, so we were short of what we usually have, but we catalogued 92 horses and sold 71," he said.
"Twelve were withdrawn, which we couldn't sell anyway, and our gross sales were a little over $700,000, while our colts averaged $10,000 and the fillies at $9,600.
"I think we were fortunate enough to get the sale down, especially with what's been said by the government. If it was to be run on the Monday then we probably wouldn't have been able to run it."
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With numbers carefully monitored for the event the Bathurst club provided a livestream for the sales and required participants to sign up beforehand if they wanted to attend in person.
Board was thankful for the help provided by the Bathurst Harness Racing Club for helping the sales run smoothly at a challenging time.
"We said to NSW Harness Racing that whatever's got to happen we'll do it," he said.
"We had security guards and people needed to be registered but people were very aware of social distancing and it was monitored all the time
"It culminated in the sale being quite successful, under the circumstances. Danny and Marianne at the club did everything they could to make sure it worked."
The largest sale of the day was a $34,000 purchase by Emilio Rosati of a Bettors Delight out of Diamond Like filly.
The filly is the second foal out of Diamond Like, who foaled another Bettors Delight filly, Delightful Gem, in September 2018.
Rosati is no stranger to spending big at the sales. Orchid Stride was a $50,000 purchase last year and already looks the goods on her return to Bathurst, winning her recent Gold Tiara heat.
Peter Berrell made a $30,000 purchase of lot 75, the fifth foal out of New Zealand broodmare Inevitable.
Glenn Schiller's $21,000 purchase of a Roll With Joe x Macrandra colt was the third largest of the day.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
