3 minute read
Leading consignors to advance in online auction space.
Glenesk Thoroughbreds are set to advance their consigning business into the online sphere.
Glenesk have enjoyed some memorable results in the sales ring in the past few years, including selling Invincibella (I Am Invincible) to Coolmore's Tom Magnier for $1.3 million at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, but Brett Howard believes launching into the online sphere will only help the farm's growing reputation.
"In 2021 we will be looking to better our 2020 results at these two prestigious broodmare auctions," said Howard. "Obviously, you cannot better a 100 per cent clearance rate, however we will look to continue to upgrade the quality of our consignments, along with the quantity.
"Now that we have the public auction space covered, we want to advance into the online auction space. We want to become the first farm in Australia's to specialise in online auction consignment.
"Owners do not always have the luxury of being able to wait for the next public auction, so an online auction is the most convenient and cost-effective avenue of selling your horse.
"In many instances a horse will be located on a spelling farm, stud or a racing stable. It is up to the owners or staff at these premises to take good quality photos and videos of the horse so they can post to the horse's online listing.
"As many an online buyer would attest, some of the photos and videos uploaded are of a poor standard and fail to show a horse in the best possible light. Also, the sales spiel or pitch in the horse's listing can be non-existent, ineffectual, inaccurate, or even misleading at times. Plus, the listing might be missing a necessary vet certificate for breeding soundness or an injury report. All of these things go to provide a disincentive to a prospective purchaser to either bid in the first instance and/or bid higher on a horse."
Howard explained the new concept would include Glenesk arranging all the online footage and vet reports prior to a horse selling online.
"If owners and trainers want to take the hassle out of arranging all of this and to give themselves the best chance of maximising their online sale price, we want to them to send their horse to us. Once on our farm we will take high quality photos and video, write a well-researched comprehensive and accurate sales spiel, carry out the necessary veterinary inspections and post the certificates online. Plus, if the seller wishes, we can handle all pre-auction calls and emails. If people want to personally inspect the horse before it sells, our farm is perfectly positioned being exactly half-way between Sydney and Scone, making it easily accessible to these two jurisdictions where most of NSW's racehorse owners and breeders reside. And if someone did want to fly from interstate, we are only forty minutes' drive from Newcastle Airport.
"By utilising our services both Rachael and I are of the strong belief we will help sellers get a better price for their horse.
"As a minimum, if we can squeeze an extra few thousand dollars out of the market, our sellers are going to be financially better off every time. Additionally, our sellers can rest easy with the knowledge that throughout the sales process no stone was left unturned to provide them with the best possible outcome. And our buyers will also be happy because we were able to supply them with all the necessary material for them to make an informed decision on their purchase."
