“Yes, colts are more valuable than fillies, significancy,” says Dr Kevin Doyle, “for at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale colts on average were between 13-22% more valuable than fillies.”
An exponent of Equine Foetal Sex Testing, Dr Kevin J Doyle MVB MRCVS, states that Foetal Sex Determination is one of the ‘hottest’ topics throughout the equine productive world.
“At the Magic Millions Gold Coast 565 colts and 448 fillies were sold, at a ratio of 55% colts and 45% fillies, with colts $28,000 more valuable than fillies,” stated Dr Doyle.
Dr Doyle emphasised that in the top 90% of yearlings sold, the colts were $31,000 more valuable, while they were $36,000 more valuable in the top 80% of yearlings sold.
In the top 70% of yearlings sold, colts were $40,000 more valuable, with the top 60% being $46,000 more valuable, the top 50% being $53,000 more valuable, and 40% of colts being $64,000.
Also at the Magic Millions the top 30% of colts sold represented $83,000, with 20% sold being $110,000 more valuable. An average $170,000 valuation represented the top 10% of colts sold.
In decile ranking, the 91-100%, the 57 colts grossed $43.9m at an average of $770,263 with the top 45 fillies grossing $27.1m at an average of $602,889, a 22% $167,374 average difference.
In the 81-90% decile, the 57 colts sold for $22.5m at an average of $395,000, with the top 45 fillies for $15.9m at an average of $344,222, a 13% or $50,778 average difference.
At 71-80%, the 57 colts grossed $16.1m at an average of $283,421, with the top 45 fillies brining $11.4m at an average of $255,111, an average difference of 10% or $28,310.
In 61-70%, 57 colts totalled $11.6m at an average of $203,860, with 45 fillies grossing $8.8m at an average of $196,444, being a $7,416 average difference of 4%.
At 51-60% decile, the 57 colts grossed $9.3m at an average of $163,421 with the top 45 fillies bringing $6.9m at an average of $155,111, a 5% or $8,310 average difference.
In the 41-50% range, the 56 colts sold for $7.5m at an average of $134,286 with the top 45 fillies bringing $5.6m at a $125,333 average, a 7% or $8,953 average difference.
Dropping down to 1-10% decile, the 56 colts grossed $1.2m at an average of $22,866 with the top 44 fillies grossing $989,000 at an average of $22,477, at 2% or $389 average difference.
In total it was 565 colts selling for $124.9m at an average of $221,118, and 448 fillies for a total of $86.4m with an $192,966 average, a13% average difference of $28,152.
“Clearly, colts are more valuable than fillies,” expresses Dr Doyle. “Knowing Foetal Sex helps to plan and budget to have more money in your pocket in the breeding industry.”
Again the 2020 MM Gold Coast Yearling figures clearly showed that 487 colts sold for $114.1m at an average of $234,460 and the 379 fillies for $73.9m at an average of $195,156.
In the 91-100% decile, the 49 colts grossed $38.6m at an average of $778,469. The top 38 fillies grossed $21.7m at an average of $572,368, a 27% or $216,100 average difference.
“Many breeders who never thought they would have a runner in The Everest, are now forking out large sums of money for their participation in this stallion making event,” said Dr Doyle.
“With The Everest’s $14 million prizemoney, and $20 million over the next five years, it’s become important for them to know the foetal sex of the foal their mare is carrying, well in advance.”
‘It’s an advantage in pre-managing decisions to maximise their potential of future stallion prospects well in advance of yearling sales where colts are significantly more valuable than fillies.”
“The outcomes can sill be enormous if they elect to keep their fillies, race their progeny, and end up breeding and winning The Everest – all because you know the Foetal Sex your mare is carrying.”
“It’s about choosing a stallion to cover their mare for the up-coming season, weather to sell or keep a weanling or yearling, to increase or decrease the insurance premium during pregnancy, or to manage estimated cash flow for the following season.
