The Mitchell family run Yarraman Park is a name synonymous with quality at the top end yearling sales and with a crackerjack draft for the upcoming 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale there is much to look forward to despite the prospect of a buyers market.

“The sale will be down, it has to be given the economy, but in saying that there are always buyers for good horses, so you have to keep that in mind as a vendor and present the very best quality draft you can,” said Harry Mitchell.

With three withdrawals, the final consignment from Yarraman features 15 yearlings by champion sires Redoute’s Choice, Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur, as well as youngsters by Commands. Elusive Quality (USA), Fastnet Rock, Keep the Faith and Starcraft (NZ).

An obvious highlight for Yarraman Park is the Redoute’s Choice colt from stellar producer Oceanfast that will hit the sale ring as Lot 136 on the first day of the sale.

The dam of four winners led by champion filly Alinghi and stakes-placed fillies Slice of Paradise and Perfect Persuasion, Oceanfast has been one of the most profitable broodmares in recent history.

Yarraman Park have sold yearlings at the last four Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales from Oceanfast, so there is understandable expectation surrounding her colt for this year by champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

“It’s the first time the mare has been to anything other than Encosta de Lago in recent times and he’s a lovely colt that we’re very happy with,” said Mitchell.

“He’s probably got more scope than the others and has a great length of rein. He’s not too heavy for a colt and is a lovely mover.”

One colt winning plenty of admirers at the recent on farm inspections has been Lot 409, the Encosta de Lago colt from former smart racemare Charmview, winner of the Group Three Qld Tatts Winter Stakes, a race now upgraded to Group One status.

“He is a very nice horse that has done particularly well since he came to us and does appeal as a two year-old type,” said Mitchell.

An eye-catching grey colt is the half-brother by Encosta de Lago to dual Group One winner Virage de Fortune that will be offered as Lot 305.

“He’s a cracking type of colt and there is an update to the pedigree as the two year-old from the mare Avenue won brilliantly on debut and looks well above average,” said Mitchell.

One colt that is a bit light on pedigree but sells himself on type is Lot 428, the Fastnet Rock colt from Crazy Fling (USA).

“The dam has had six to race all winners, but nothing of any real note and yet this colt has been one of the most popular at inspections,” said Mitchell.

“We have a lot of faith in Fastnet Rock as a sire and you can’t help but think he’s going to make it on what he’s done so far, given they should be far better three year-olds and so many have that sensible temperament that makes them easy to train.”

A colt with an interesting pedigree is Lot 253, by Flying Spur from the unraced Dixieland Band mare Star Band (USA).

“He’s a lighter style of colt and very well balanced,” said Mitchell.

“He’s also line-bred to Fanfreluche which has been successful in the past producing a couple of stakes-winners for Flying Spur in French Braids and Krupt.”

One filly that has the potential for a pedigree update before Easter is Lot 141, by Encosta de Lago from the Marscay mare Orderly, the full sister to Group One winner Excellerator.

“She’s a nice filly and is a half-sister to that smart mare Disciplined, who has won again since the catalogue went to print,” said Mitchell.

The Peter Snowden trained Disciplined was brilliant when resuming from a spell for an easy win at Rosehill on February 28 and was then found to have gotten her tongue over the bit when midfield in the Group Two AJC Challenge Stakes, so with a tongue tie added to her gear next start could easily claim Black Type.

Click on the link to see the entire Easter draft for Yarraman Park.