Vale a giant of the gavel, Peter Heagney | Tails
Peter Heagney - a "giant of the gavel" for over 53 years who died in Melbourne last month of cancer, was farewelled by a large crowd at a memorial at Inglis' Oaklands Junction selling-complex last week.
My industry involvement led me to cross his path many times, Peter always sparing a few minutes for a chat.
While Thoroughbreds became dominant, Peter also auctioned other livestock including Standardbreds, Brumbies, cattle, sheep, pigs, donkeys, chooks, ostriches, as well as saddlery, art, books, and paintings.
Peter had an excellent industry grounding in Adelaide, following his Adelaide-based trainer and Australian Hall of Famer Dad, Grahame Heagney.
Auctioneering firstly in Adelaide, then Perth, Peter moved to Melbourne in the mid-1970s, transferring to Dalgety Bloodstock, which in 1994 - was bought by William Inglis and Son.
Peter became an integral component at Inglis, not only as an auctioneer, but highly valued mentoring younger generations.
Auctioneering in four other countries including the first "outside" person to take the gavel at England's famous Tattersalls Sales in Newmarket, Peter sold some memorable horses including two then record holders for the highest priced lots sold via public auction; broodmare Milanova in foal to Encosta de Lago (in 2008) and Black Caviar's Redoute's Choice yearling half-brother (2013) each fetching $5 million in Sydney. He also sold Black Caviar herself at the 2008 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, and well as Racing To Win, which made $40,000 and landed $3.7m when racing.
Country champs up
Port Macquarie Race Club - included in the Mid North Coast Racing Association, will host the first of the State's qualifying events in this year's Newhaven Park's Country Championships on February 16.
Launched in 2015 (its Final won by Artlee), the Country Championships' $150,000 qualifying races will be conducted in each racing region over the following weeks.
While prominent Dubbo trained, Gallant Star will be among the favourites for this year's event, the Brett Robb stable's other in-form galloper, Wilbury, is also making headlines after taking the TAB Highway Handicap win at the city Wyong meet recently.
Wilbury's win came just days after his famous half-brother and Coolmore Stud-based sire Home Affairs was responsible for the $3.2m record top for his first crop daughter (from Sunlight) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. February 22, Northern Rivers will see its Country Championship Qualifier at Lismore, followed by the South-East Racing Association's at Nowra the next day.
The Central Districts follow, its qualifier at Orange on February 28, then at Wagga Wagga for the Southern Districts event the next day, while Tamworth hosts the Hunter and North West's event on March 9, and Coonamble - the Western division on March 16.
The "second chance" races will follow, the "Northern Wild Card" held at Scone on March 21, then the "Southern Wild Card" run at Goulburn March 23, with the $1m Final to be included on the Randwick program on April 5.
Bivouac begins
He may have sired his first winner in New Zealand last month, however Darley homebred Bivouac has come up with two recent first crop Australian city debut winners when Luana Miss won at Ascot and Cavalry Girl won at Flemington.
Trained by one of Perth's leading trainer's Trevor Andrews, Luana Miss was knocked down to her conditioner for $110,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale last year. Cavalry Girl fetched the same price, but at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Bivouac's first winner was Intention, the filly winning the Wakefield Challenge Stakes-G2 at Trentham.
By Exceed And Excel, Bivouac was an exceptional racehorse winning the VRC Newmarket Handicap-G1, and Sprint Classic-G1 in Melbourne, and the ATC Golden Rose-G1 in Sydney, earning $5.6m.
Ole's winning ways
Connections of Vinery Stud are rejoicing following the brilliant victory by O'Ole in the $3m Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic at the Gold Coast last Friday night.
Only for graduates of last year's Magic Millions' Yearling Sales, the filly fetched $325,000, and belongs to the first crop of juveniles by Vinery Stud's Written Tycoon young stallion Ole Kirk.
