Northern performance horse sale equals 2025 top as quality bloodlines dominate

The 2026 Nutrien Northern Performance Horse Sale was stronger than the previous year, according to Nutrien's Sam Moy.

The annual event held in Charters Towers on Saturday, May 23, alongside the Horse of the North challenge, saw 64 lots on offer, an increase of 30 from the previous year.

The overall clearance rate was lower than the previous year, going from 88 per cent to 74pc.

Across the board, results reflected growing demand for quality performance horses, with lots sold right across Queensland, as well as in Victoria.

Boonara Celine was the highest priced horse of the day, making $50,000 to equal last year's top price.

The seven-year-old chestnut ridden mare from D & J Condon Partnership in Greenvale, was sold to Thomas and Teagan Wells, Star Grazing Pty Ltd, Vuna Station, Hughenden.

Sired by One Stylish Pepto 02 and out of the dam Boonara Serene, this mare's pedigree was a clear standout.

"She was a standout lot, a really high quality mare that will go on and do great things, and at the end of it all will make a terrific broodmare," Mr Moy said.

"She had a wealth of pedigree, by a very good sire out of a very good mare ... it is breeding that's worked well and she's a champion herself."

Dan Condon said he knew whoever purchased her would be happy with her performance.

"I bought her as a young horse and we just - I had a plan for her to sell her and just waited until she was right, and now I think she's right and whoever buys her I think can be happy with her," he said.

In the catalogue, Boonara Celine was described as a quick-footed, cowy mare and great to handle in every way.

Mr Condon said she was a good horse because of the way she had been handled.

"The mare probably made what she's worth," he said. "It can be hard to buy a good horse and I think that she is that."

Mr Condon was happy for Mr and Mrs Wells to purchase his mare as he would get to see it around campdrafts.

"They do a lot of campdraft and ... hopefully we will see her get around a lot more," he said.

Another horse from the Condon family that performed well was Kinarra Starbucks, a four-year-old bay ridden gelding, claiming the top price for geldings on the day.

Selling for $40,000, Mr Condon said what made the horse special was the way it was put through training.

"I bought him from Tamworth [from] Andrew Chapman and his daughter put him through," he said. "You could trust him with anyone ... he is a kid's horse, a young girl broke him in so he's well tempered."

Sired by Kydras Acres Mercury and out of the dam Koolewong Acres Peppi, Mr Condon said Kinarra Starbucks had a good pedigree.

"I've got a few from the family of the same horse and they've all been good," he said. "When you are trying to sell a horse you need good bloodlines and it to be a nice horse, which is what he has."

The Condons sold another three horses, all of which were two years old.

"I think the sale here is a sale where people are happy to pay the money as long as the horse is doing what needs to be done," he said. "If you buy a young horse, you buy yourself a job so you don't want to pay a lot for it."

The second top priced horse of the day was Rowes Mink, a three-year-old black ridden mare from PG and CM Rowe, which was sold to J and L Davidson, Charters Towers for $42,500.

The last lot of the day did not disappoint with Simms Platinum, a five-year-old chestnut ridden mare from Danielle Simms, Somerset Station, Charters Towers, selling for $41,000.

Mt Oweenee Jamaica, a three-year-old black ridden mare from D.Z. O'Neill Family Investments, Mt Oweenee Station, Charters Towers sold for $40,000.

Also selling for $40,000 was Kinloch Tune, a five-year-old black ridden mare from M and J Hoffman, Laroona Station, Charters Towers.

• Selling agent - Nutrien