A classy, superbly bred, six-year-old bay mare, Coolum Nutmeg, took prices to a record $34,000 at the AgGrow Premier Horse Sale, Emerald last Saturday.
This daughter of high profile sire One Moore Daddy, offered by Wayne and Trudy Berry, Koumala, featured in a strong bidding duel before being knocked down to Ian and Judy Schafferius, Dandilla Pastoral Co who travelled up from Kumbia in southern Queensland for the sale.
Sale agents GDL and McCaffrey’s Australian Livestock Marketing were disappointed in the sale clearance of 65 per cent stating the sale’s usual strong support from graziers looking for a few mustering and cattle work mounts for their properties, did not materialise this year.
“The poorer season and lighter cattle prices this year compared to last year perhaps resulted in them standing over any horse purchases to next year,” auctioneer Ken McCaffrey, McCaffrey’s Australian Livestock Marketing said.
“Also, we feel a major annual community race meeting at Alpha on sale day also affected our attendance from that area.”
Nevertheless, there were highlights at the sale with the healthy average of $7240 bettering last year’s record.
A total of 11 horses sold in the five figure range, $10,000 and over, and another six made $8000 to $9500.
Two mares made $14,000 with the first an impressive One Time Tequila mare, a red roan four-year-old by One Time Stan offered by the Black family, Alpha, that was purchased by local horseman Brett Sullivan, Emerald.
Jordan and Tammy Smith of Blackall took home two excellent chestnut mares from the sale, both from the draft of Rockhampton horseman Jason Lindley. The two horses were Cat Niner, a five-year-old, smart working daughter of Intricatolena that was their top purchase at $14,000.
Alan Acton, Wilpeena Cattle Company, Dingo invested in four horses for use on his Central Queensland cattle stations. Topping his purchases at $11,000 was a bay, four-year-old mare offered by Steve and Louise Comiskey of Capella.
North Queensland buyer Ryan Rogers of Prairie selected at $12,500 an experienced, quality mustering mare of high appeal from the Jason Lindley team, while Skye Cattle Company, Alpha bid to $12,000 to secure the sale’s top price gelding, Double O Destiny. This smart, well presented, seven-year-old son of Destinys Mr Chic was offered by Sam and Ellise Galea of Nebo. The Donaldson family, Medway Grazing Co, Capella snapped up a stylish AQHA four-year-old gelding, Duramax for $10,000, the sole sale lot offered by Olivia Lindley of Limestone Creek.
Sale agents: GDL and McCaffrey’s Australian Livestock Marketing.
