QUALITY mares with a proven camp drafting background attracted premium prices after seasoned campaigner Ashwood Rumour topped the GDL Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale on Sunday at $30,500.
Ashwood Rumour, a 10-year-old bay mare by Willalee Rattler which traces back to Warrenbri Romeo and Abbey and has been placed in numerous maiden and novice campdrafts was offered by Peter and Vicki Howard, Duckponds, Emerald.
She was bought by Wayne Knudsen and family, Kilbeggan, Chinchilla.
Dalby Stockhorse committee members, Wendy Maguire, Jim Ryan with Marley, Gary Maguire, Lance Abraham, and Rick Young. Click on this image to see more pics in our online gallery.
It was a big day of selling with 152 horses changing hands - out of 214 offered - for a $7717 overall average which was a very similar result to last year when the sale averaged $7783.
This time around 81 mares averaged $8651 and 67 geldings averaged $6235 - up $735 on last year - driven mainly by the improved incentives for 2013.
The four stallions sold to a top of $20,000 and averaged $13,625.GDL stud stock manager Harvey Weyman-Jones said some vendor expectations on the better end of the catalogue were over market values and failed to sell.
"Another factor restricting our market was the tighter general economy, yet despite this it was a solid sale and on par with our expectations," said Mr Weyman-Jones.