The current Inglis February (Early) Digital Sale that opened for bidding on Friday is dominated by a quality selection of bloodstock that makes up the Scenic Lodge Unreserved Dispersal.
The final countdown for bidding begins this Wednesday morning, February 7.
Scenic Lodge has catalogued 46 lots comprising broodmares (29), yearlings (9), weanlings (6) and racehorses (2). The dispersal follows the retirement of the farm’s founder David Smith. His son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Sarah will assume ownership as from March 1. (Photo / Western Racepix).
“In a lot of ways, it’s sad to see them go but it’s also a rare opportunity for buyers to access so much commercial bloodstock,” Jeremy said. “We will scale back with a handful of mares and they will be covered by Universal Ruler. Our manager Kirsty Clarke will stay but seeing the rest of the staff move on will be a wrench.”
Jeremy Smith has managed the stud since it opened for business in 1996 and, in that time, orchestrated 21 WA sires’ premierships in a row with Scenic (9) and Blackfriars (12).
A half-dozen Group 1 winners also emerged from the Muchea property headed by Australian Horse of the Year Scenic Blast, Black Heart Bart and Playing God who claimed his first WA sires’ premiership last season.
“We will go from being a major player to a smaller operation, then hopefully in time we will build back up again. The whole industry has changed a lot over the years and it’s become very top-end. It’s more about having quality over quantity these days.
“Dad built a top-class line-up of stakes-winning and stakes-producing mares over time and the majority are in-foal to Universal Ruler while others are in foal to stallions like Aysar and Safeguard.”
Among the highlights are Star In The East (Secret Savings), a half-sister to Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars); Fast As The Wind (Blackfriars), a sister to Group 1 winner Come Play With Me; and Diamond Card (Blackfriars), a half-sister to stakes-winning racemare Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt).
“The weanlings are mainly by Universal Ruler plus the final crop by Snippetson, There’s also foals by Smart Missile, Rich Enuff, Rebel Dane, Awesome Rock and Dash For Cash.”
They include a half-sister to the G1 SAJC Derby runner-up Yaphet (Blackfriars), a three-quarter brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Trophy winner Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) and the first foal from Miss Voodoo (Blackfriars) who is a three-quarter sister to Playing God.
Yearlings include a half-sister by Universal Ruler to G2 WATC Derby winner Mystic Prince (Reset), and a half-sister by War Chant (USA) to the stakes-placed, city winner Malkar Pindari (Gingerbread Man).
The Inglis February (Early) Digital Sale catalogue can be viewed here.
