July 2024
- Philip Bishop
- Jul 1, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 23
Happy Friday Owners and friends,
I hope this update finds you well and surviving the cooler, winter conditions.
This month's edition covers:
Brief horse updates
Upcoming events
Last season sales stats.
Future opportunities
With the winter season and generally quieter time of the year (outside carnival time) the majority of our horses are in the spelling paddocks. This has also given me the opportunity to undergo minor surgery on my foot restricting me for the past and the upcoming week. This has proven to be successful and look forward to hitting the dance floor in the near future, as well as the farm and track next week.
As the horses all approach their non biological birthdays on August 1st, we have a very exciting period coming up, which in the current economic environment is very much something to look forward to.
However, given this, Equicom is not intending to replace the horses that have recently moved on to the next stage of their careers. There's definitely no sugar coating the financial concerns which i believe will tighten further in coming months and would be negligent of me to encourage others into high-risk investments at this time. I'm just being honest.....
I have faith that the horses currently under ownership are well placed to give every opportunity to pay their way and is under constant review in the interests of all owners, including scrutiny of costs, horse trainers and other third-party services / invoices.
*Please note that these are just my personal opinions, duty of care and not to be considered as financial advice.
On a brighter note, I am currently in the process of finalising details for Bong Bong this year on FRIDAY 22nd November (Save the date) and other family fun events. Stay tuned
Note: End of year stats and facts will be in next months edition.
Brief Horse Updates: Further to regular, individual owner WhatsApp messages.
Flying Crazy - Inglis 5yo Gelding trained by Team Hawkes, Rosehill - Summary: 33-5:1:5 Prizemoney incl. Bonus: $597,340
Crazy had a prep that had a bit of everything, trip to Melbourne, race abandonments (due to weather) and indifferent rides, all cuminating in a disjoined program. His highlight was beaten a nose at Randwick into second. We did however and a good point for all horses keep learning about him. Establishing finally his pet distance 1300m (1200 - 1400) and that he does handle heavier conditions, yet still not preferred. He will be back racing by mid October and look forward to a more specific race plan given our findings.
Lady Brulee, MM 4yo Filly - trained by Jake Hull - Gosford - Summary: 11-1:0:2 Prizemoney: $30,875
LB is back racing after a trial and a race as a second trial recently. She has been a bit off her food subsequently (possibly ulcers) and will be monitored over the coming days as to how the medication has worked. Blood tests were taken as a precaution and no negative findings detected. Once back to herself she will build up in distance and head toward her 2000m favoured distance. We do expect her to start to peak during this spell, health dependant.
Altair I AM - MM 3yo Gelding trained by Team Hawkes, Rosehill - 3 starts 0 placings
Altair made his well awaited return to the track all beit in his less favoured heavy conditions (theres no getting away from it) at Kensingtron and Newcastle. He ran 2 very credible races (close up 5th both times) and looks to reward the confidence shown in him by the team as he progresses. He has been given a freshner (short break) to allow the tracks to dry towards the Spring. He looks like 1400m - 1600m will be his desired distance in the short - Meduium term.
Allapercanto (Swifty) - Inglis 3yo Filly - Trained by Team Hawkes, Rosehill- Summary: 10-3:2:2 Prizemoney: $104,900
Swifty had a great preparation starting with an educational trip to Melbourne, another metropolitan placing and a luckless run in the Bendigo Guineas. Upon her return she ran very consistently with 2 wins at Hawkesbury and Canterbury back to back before striking, yes you guessed it a very heavy track at Randwick. Hence, she is currently enjoying a very well deserved spell and looks set to return to Rosehill in early September.
Lady Savannah - MM 2yo Filly - Trained by Team Hawkes, Rosehill - Unraced
Lady Sav, has commenced pre training at the farm with the first week completed on the water walker. She will now have 3 weeks under saddle getting her into shape ready for the return to Rosehill early August. After a sound foundation culminating in 2 excellent trials we expect her to get to the races this time in.
Mrs Bigglesworth 4yo filly Trained by Jake Hull (small Equicom ownership group)
Mrs B, has unfortunately succome to a shoulder injury and the decision has been made to send her to the breeding barn. Given her breeding she has been booked in to be served by Artorious. Its always dissapointing when carrers are cut short especially with gifted horses that didn't reach their potential, she will however make the most wonderful mum. Race record: 10 starts 1 win 3 placings.
Adeel It's a Steal (Dundeel x Stroak) - 2yo gelding Trained by Team Hawkes - Unraced
Adeel or "Lachie" as he's known amongst the owners (Lock Stock and 2 smoking barrels famous quote) is currently in training at Rosehill. He hasn't put a hoof wrong so far and looks an absolute picture. We look forward to seeing him likely make the track in this coming preparation. Hoping to trial by mid August.
Thanks again to our devoted and attentive team of trainers and pre trainers (Farm) that give our horses every opportunity to succeed.
Just a quick reminder that if you see a horse racing that you are not in the ownership of and would like to come out and support, please contact me direct and I will organise tickets for you (subject to availability). It's the more the merrier
Aushorse and Stable Stats
Some interesting stats I thought worth sharing C/- Aushorse and Stable Connect for the 2024 sales season.
Overall yearling sales in Australia (11) – 2024 compared to 2023
Overall spend of $568.2 million fell $9.82 million year-on-year (-1.7 per cent)
Overall yearlings sold fell to 4096, down from 4252 (-3.7 per cent)
Overall horses passed in rose to 930 from 789 (up 17.9 per cent)
Overall horses offered dropped from 5041 to 5026 (down 0.3 per cent)
Horses catalogued rose from 5603 to 5649, up 46 (0.8 per cent)
Clearance rate dropped to 81.5 per cent from 84.3 per cent
Average price rose to $138,728 from $135,950 (up 2 per cent)
Median $70,000, same as 2023
Price points:
41 million-dollar lots, down six on 2023
203 at $500,000-plus, down three on 2023
664 at $250,000-plus, one up on last year
1650 at $100,000-plus, down from 1701 last year
2446 at less than $100,000, down from 2551 last year
1756 at $50,000 or less, compared to 1770 last year
921 at $25,000 or less, compared to 958 last year
355 at $10,000 or less, compared to 421 last year
Price point averages:
Average price of a horse which cost less than $100,000 was $38,593, compared to $ to $39,444 last year
Average price of a horse which cost $100,000 or more was $287,147, compared to $280,635 last year
Sale by sale:
Nine of the 11 sales recorded a fall in aggregate spend, Most impacted Melbourne Gold (down 35.7 per cent), Inglis May (down 33.2 per cent) and Tasmania (down 29.1 per cent). Best result: Easter up 9 per cent
7 of 11 featured a drop in average, most impacted Tasmania (down 16.2 per cent) and Gold Coast January (down 11.6 per cent). Biggest rise was Melbourne Gold at 31.5 per cent.
9 of the 11 featured a drop in clearance, most impacted Tasmania (down 15.5 per cent)
Sale with highest aggregate rise was Easter at $12.6 million, biggest drop Melbourne Premier $6 million and Classic $5.8 million
Perth was the only sale to sell more yearlings in 2024 than 2023
The final three sales of season, Melbourne Gold, Inglis May and National were the only three to pass in fewer horses than 2023
Regards,
Bish
Director
Equicom Syndications
