By Tony McMahon
Rockhampton’s Tony Fenlon, the man who orchestrated Australia’s first fully online yearling sale in 2020, has been appointed convener for the 2022 Capricornia Yearling Sales.
The announcement was made yesterday by Ian Mill - the CEO of the Rockhampton Jockey Club - the organisation that conducts the sale each April.
Fenlon is no stranger to the Sale, as he was in the driver’s seat for the last three years as part of his role as the RJC CEO which he vacated last July.
The sale, the only one of its kind in provincial Queensland, dates back to 1988 when first conducted by Elders Pastoral.
The Capricornia Yearling Sale now with Magic Millions as selling agents, plays a pivotal role in the supply chain of young thoroughbreds’ stocks,
Not only so in Central Queensland, as graduates have gone on to win throughout Australia and internationally.
As well, the CYS plays a huge role in boosting the local economy with an influx of industry visiting players.
Yearlings sold through the annual sale at the Robert Schwarten Pavilion at the Rockhampton Showgrounds are exclusively eligible for a rich 2YO Classic and 3&4YO Classic race series.
These races are held at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park racecourse on a gala carnival race day on the Saturday preceding the sale
“I’m more than happy to be back involved,’’ Fenlon said about the Sale, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2022.
“I really enjoyed my role with the past three sales which involved a great deal of organisation in many diversified aspects from promoting and working with vendors and studs from throughout Queensland.
“I am keen to physically touch base with as many stud masters and likely vendors on a physical basis as soon as possible.
“The sale can only grow and become even more professional and I wish to source as many top-class yearlings as possible.”
Fenlon said the experience of getting a successful outcome from the online CYS in April 2020 when COVID outbreaks prevented it being staged publicly under the normal format was very testing.
“I can tell you I had some sleepless nights leading into it as it was very much in jeopardy at one stage,” Fenlon said.
“It was a major relief that that first Australian online yearling sale went off so successfully.
“It was not only great for Rockhampton but racing in general; the yearlings sold well and we had the pool for the CYS Classic races the following year.”
The results from this year’s sale only added another string to Fenlon’s bow with receipts topping $1.45 million with a record average of around $20,000.
“I am currently canvassing entries for the 2022 CYS and these will close off in late January. Hopefully the catalogue will be capped at around 110 yearlings,” Fenlon said.
RJC CEO Ian Mill said the club had welcomed back Fenlon with open arms and was delighted to have him at the helm again on the basis of his past successful record.
“It is fantastic to have Tony back on board as he is very passionate about the CYS and we along with him are anxious to build upon its success’’, Mill said.
Basil Nolan, the president of Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland and proprietor of Raheen Stud Warwick, warmly endorsed Fenlon’s new appointment.
“I think it is a marvellous idea to have Tony involved in that capacity,” he said.
“He did a great job this year running the show; he knows the breeders and vendors and the buyers and that is very important.
“Very sound move and we look forward to supporting the sale again next year.”