NEW RECORD AT SALES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31332, 31 March 1967, Page 5

NEW RECORD AT SALES

19,000 gns For Wilkes Colt CIV.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. In a sensational bidding spree, the record price of a yearling was shattered at the annual Newmarket Sales at Randwick yesterday. The leading Sydney trainer, T. J. Smith, went to 19,000 guineas to buy a colt by Wilkes from the New Zealand-bred mare. Blooming, a daughter of Summertime and the Auckland Cup winner, Francis. This topped the previous record of 16,000 guineas, given by Smith for Jupiter last year. Bidding on behalf of the former Queenslanders, Messrs J. and L. Foyster, Smith opened his bidding with a 5000 guineas shout. But he was then matched in a breathtaking bidding duel with a young man unknown in racing circles. The bidding went up in thousands and It was obvious that Smith was trying to rattle his opponent by sheer weight of his finance.

At 19,000 guineas Smith had his way—the colt was his. The Foyster Brothers, for whom he bought the yearling, first made their Impression in racing at the last New Zealand Yearling Sales. They were formerly in the mining business—not gold, but sand—in Surfer’s Paradise. Now they are content with running a few properties around Mudgee (New South Wales) and racing for a hobby. The “mystery’' under-bidder, who refused to give reporters his name, later was identified as Mr J. Fleming, of the Fleming food-store family. Later he went to 8500 guineas for a Wilkes—Born Lucky colt.

This meant that five colts by Wilkes from J. Kelly s Newhaven stud were sold for 50,750 guineas. The sale of this batch began when the Adelaide trainer, J. B. Cummings, offered a surprisingly unchallenged 8000 guineas for a Wilkes—Anna Rose colt. Anna Rose is a sister of Cummings’ outstanding filly. Storm Queen. The next lot, a colt by WilkesMerry Polly, also went to Smith. For this youngster he paid 6000 guineas—again for the Foyster Bros.

After his record buy Smith paid 3500 guineas for a Wilkes— Sirlklt colt for Mr S. Fox.

To make up the six in the batch, Mr R. Whelan paid 5750 guineas for a good type of chestnut by Wilkes—Frigid.