A mainland selling venture has paid handsome dividends for Tasmania’s Armidale Stud, with a colt by boom sire Home Affairs topping the opening session of the Great Southern Weanling Sale at Oaklands Junction.
The second-crop colt realised $330,000 on Thursday, making him the highest-priced lot of the day at the Inglis complex.
He was one of four weanlings by Home Affairs to sell for $120,000 or more during the opening session, highlighting the extraordinary demand for the young stallion’s progeny.
Home Affairs is on track to be crowned Australia’s champion first-season sire after producing Golden Slipper winner Guest House along with 11 other juvenile winners from his first crop this season.
His strong racetrack results have driven significant commercial demand, with the Coolmore stallion set to stand at a service fee of $176,000 including GST in 2026.
The session-topping colt was bred by Ken Breese in partnership with Armidale Stud principal Dave Whishaw.
He was purchased by bloodstock agent James Carolan, who secured the youngster with the assistance of Mel O’Gorman.
The result represents a strong return for the Tasmanian breeders and further reinforces Home Affairs’ position as one of the most sought-after young stallions in the Australian breeding industry.
With another day of selling remaining, the Great Southern Weanling Sale has already delivered encouraging signs for vendors offering progeny by the country’s leading emerging sires.
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