Top priced mare, Penwood Creations, sold for $170,000
The 51st Annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale re-set records across multiple categories over the past few days, cementing the event’s standing as the world’s premier Stock Horse sale.
Sale proceeds exceeded $8 million for the first time in the event’s history, underpinned by strong seasonal conditions and cattle prices, and underlying confidence across the cattle industry.
Held from Wednesday to Sunday at the Dalby Showgrounds, this year’s sale saw 333 horses offered with 297 selling under the hammer, clearing 89 percent.
The sale average of $27,170 represented an eight-fold growth over five years, demonstrating the explosive strength of the Australian Stock Horse market.
The legacy of legendary sire Hazelwood Conman continued to dominate, with his progeny commanding top prices across multiple categories. The sale made history on day one when McNamara Conbrace, a nine-year-old mare by Hazelwood Conman out of McNamara Embrace, emerged as the sale topper, selling for $170,000 to Kirkbys Stud Stock Horses.
Offered by the Curtin Family from Ben Lomond, New South Wales, the mare sparked spirited bidding that brought the grandstands alive. Kirkbys Stud Stock Horses has been a cornerstone of the sale since the 1970s.
Eight-year-old gelding Peelvale Trucet, by Conductor out of Oaks River Queen, sold for a record-breaking $110,000 in the ring, equaling the Australian record for the highest price ever paid for an ASH gelding.
Offered by Rob Leach Equine from Attunga, NSW, the exceptional gelding was purchased by Adam and Hayley Rae.
Top priced gelding Peelvale Trucet, by Conductor out of Oaks River Queen, sold for a record-breaking $110,000, equaling the Australian record for the highest price ever paid for an ASH gelding.
The top priced stallion, Mt Oweenee Quba, also hit the six-figure mark when secured for $100,000. The seven-year-old stallion by Hazelwood Conman, out of the legendary Toomba Quarry mare line that produced campdraft champions, was offered by Miss I O’Neill and purchased by Triple C Performance Horses.
The sale achieved several remarkable milestones, with five horses exceeding $100,000.
Bulla Ariel, an eight-year-old mare by Bulla Forrest, achieved $115,000 for Bulla Lyn ASH Stud from Diggers Rest, Victoria, selling online through Stocklive.
Gheart Zarlow, a six-year-old mare on the account of Boonara Stock Horses, sired by Ropeley Park Briglow out of Vey School Zara, sold for $110,000 on day two of the sale.
Coolest, a four-year-old stallion by Smith Family Just Jack out of Cooldust, opened the stallion category with a strong $80,000 result for vendor Ben Tapp from Wandoan, Queensland.
The top priced stallion, Mt Oweenee Quba, also hit the six-figure mark when secured for $100,000.
“It’s seriously unbelievable. I did not anticipate these amazing results, and I’m glad we could deliver,” said David Felsch, Principal of Ray White Livestock Dalby.
“The number of people who came through the gates over the week was remarkable. It’s about recognising the event as a whole – from the campdraft run by the Darling Downs ASH Society, to the sale itself, and through to the day and evening entertainment.”
“When Amy and I took this sale on in 2020, we had 189 horses selling for roughly $3.5 million. To be sitting here now with 333 horses and over $8 million in sales is a testament to the effort everyone puts in. This result belongs to the entire team and community that makes this event possible.”
“The quality and standard of Australian Stock Horses coming through this sale is outstanding – whether they’re heading to work or ready for the show ring,” said Rick Young, President of the Darling Downs Australian Stock Horse Society.
“It’s a pleasure to watch them return year after year for the incentive drafts.
Sale topper McNamara Conbrace, a nine-year-old mare by Hazelwood Conman out of McNamara Embrace, sold for $170,000 to Kirkbys Stud Stock Horses.
“The Ray White Rural network support this weekend has been incredible to witness, with members traveling from as far as Bendigo, Victoria to help out,” said Matt White, CEO of Ray White Rural.
“Having so many people from different offices come together so seamlessly is the true beauty of the rural network.” “It has also been fantastic to see so many young agents coming through with great energy. Events like this offer them valuable exposure to how Ray White Rural Livestock manages major sales and provides an excellent opportunity to progress their careers.”
Results:
- Horses Offered: 334
- Horses Sold: 299
- Sale Gross: $8.124m
- Sale Average: $27,170
- Clearance Rate: 89.5pc
Source: RWR