Campbell family’s final Premier sale at Blue Gum a successful one

A $400,000 Pierro filly helped bring down the curtain on what was an emotional sale for a family that has been a mainstay of the Victorian breeding industry when the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale wrapped up on Tuesday.

Phil and Patti Campbell played their part in what is their final Premier draft with Blue Gum and, fittingly, ended the day with the equal highest-priced lot of session three, which helped them to leading vendor by aggregate honours in Book 1.

Twenty-seven of Blue Gum's 28 lots offered sold for a total of $4,610,000 at an average of $164,643.

The Euroa operation is now overseen by Trilogy Racing following a change of hands late last year, but the Campbells remained involved through until Premier.

Founded by Campbell's father Graham, Blue Gum has been involved at every sale at the Oaklands Junction property under the Blue Gum banner, having sold the likes of Alinghi, September Run, Behemoth, Umrum, Rancho Ruler and Raveneaux.

"It is an emotional time, this is my 44th Premier Yearling Sale and 42nd here at Oaklands and my last time in the [Blue Gum] shirt," Campbell said.

"I've been having a ball with the new owners with the draft this year, but it's definitely emotional."

Blue Gum bowed out with one of the top lots of the abbreviated final session in Book 1, with Robert Hickmott snapping up the Pierro filly, who is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Now Now, which makes her a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1 Flight Stakes runner-up Fiesta.

She was Blue Gum's highest-priced filly of the week, and second highest-priced lot, behind Day 2's $500,000 Zoustar colt bound for Annabel Neasham's Sydney stable that Campbell considers one out of the box.

"We've been lucky enough to sell a lot of good horses for a lot of money over the years and many have gone on to win bloody good races, but I've never sold a horse like this," Campbell said.

"As far as a physical being, a horse with the right mental attitude, I honestly think he's the best.

"I'm delighted Annabel has bought him, I'm rapt she had the confidence in the colt that I did.

"He was very well found from day one, even from the parades on the farm, he's just a magnificent looking animal and he's got all the ingredients to be successful.''