RECORDS tumbled as the rain fell over AELEC with the hammer falling on one of the biggest horse sales in Tamworth's history.
The Nutrien Classic campdraft and sale came to a close on Sunday with auctioneers reporting a record gross turnover of $7,457,000 at this year's sale.
Auctioneer Scott Cooper said 467 horses were sold across the weekend with an average price of $15,968.
It bettered the 2018 record average of $15,068 and $7.3 million gross.
At the conclusion of the event an updated average of $15,869 was achieved for 478 of 568 sold lots that grossed $7,585,500.
"It was the best average in the event's history," Mr Cooper said.
"I don't think anyone would have expected to break records coming out of the drought.
"It just shows how solid this performance horse industry is."
Mr Cooper said the wet weather brought some big smiles back to the classic as well as some buying confidence.
"The classic is a prestige event which keeps building in momentum," he said.
"These are some of the best horses in the country."
The top priced horse belonged to lot 564.
Two-year-old stallion Branchvale Metal Alloy sold for $126,000 on account of Emdee Enterprises to Koobah Performance Horses, Kingswood.
The horse, by Metallic Cat out of Reys Little Hottie, was one of 25 stallions which sold for an average of $31,300.
Auctioneers sold 182 geldings across the four days, for a top of $44,000 with an average price of $11,892.
There was 260 mares sold for an average of $17,346 and a topping-out at $77,500.
Auctioneers cleared 80 per cent of the performance horses on offer at this year's sale.
Mr Copper said this was a "very good rate" and comparable with previous years.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
