It was an extra strong showing for riders across the country as they competed in the 2024 Nutrien Classic and made some strong bids at the sale
It was a positive outcome for the band of determined riders that amassed at Tamworth’s AELEC as the heat and dust on day one gave way to rain on day 10 for the 2024 Nutrien Classic Campdraft and Sale.
Organisers Nutrien Equine were delighted with the overall event rider competition and the subsequent 17th Nutrien Classic Sale results, which were in line with current economic markets and a reduction in horse numbers due to wet conditions preventing numerous vendors from attending the 2024 event.
The strength in statistics is a true testament to the commitment and resilience of the industry and its members.
The level of competition at the Nutrien Classic is undoubtedly improving every year, with 2024 seeing some of the best performances from hundreds of competitors and horses throughout the week.
Monday night saw the first final, the Prydes Easifeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge with the 10th trophy trailer donated by long-term sponsors Peel and Jody Tribe of Navaho Trailers. Warming up with the annual Happy Hour sponsored by Coverdrive Promotions, spectators were full of anticipation as they prepared for a showcase of some of the best hands in the industry.
It was, as always, excruciatingly close in the end – with the wet work element of runs proving a true leaderboard decider – but it was the quality combination of Leah Read and LETHAL KING COLE that were positioned as the leaders as the field headed into the final.
Eventually, the duo claimed victory with a stunning 174-point performance, a breathtaking 90-point Dry Work showcase and 84 for Wet Work. They topped the scoreboard with an Aggregate score of 341.5.
The Young Sire by NRR Cat King Cole, out of Tassas Lethal Spin, owned by the “Challenge Syndicate”– a powerhouse partnership between Peter Shakespeare, Matthew Crane & Leah – was described by Peter Shakespeare as a “legend in the making”. An accurate description for the young sire who was purchased back in 2021 as a 2-year-old colt for $80,000 from breeder and vendor Brydie Hughes.
On Tuesday it was a full house for the final round of the Prydes Easifeed Champion Rider Title –the National Campdraft Council of Australia (NCCA) event hotly contested by some of the most competitive Campdrafters from around Australia.
It was a nervous wait until the last rider in the draw – legendary Ben Hall on CHISUMS CASH, who would determine the team to win the Aggregate and the major cash prize for their chosen charity.
Ben and his roan RS Chisum mare put in a round of 82 points, enough to bring home the win for the Australian Campdraft Association (ACA) team whose charity of choice is the Common Ground Foundation. Congratulations to all member organisations and competitors, this event provided another three rounds of excellent Campdraft viewing and for a great cause.
The rain did not deter a crowd gathering on the hill for the first of numerous Campdraft event finals on Wednesday afternoon, where the Coverdrive Gelding Incentive kicked things off at 6pm. This feature event exhibited the top 15 geldings from the Classic Campdraft, who competed for a total prize pool of over $8,000.
It was a tightly contested final but, in the end, came down to a run-off between Mitchell Hoy on Mick and Lenore Cole’s SALTWATER GROOVA (Saltwater Sonic x Toomba Kelly) and Will Durkin on Bezuma Pastoral’s STEWARTS FLIGHT CONTROL (Hazelwood Flight Command x Stewarts Felina).
However, it was the Guyra competitor Mitchell who claimed victory, with another 88-point run guaranteeing the $5,000 winner cheque provided by Coverdrive Promotions who operate the popular bar services at AELEC.
The Campdraft arena feats continued in the hotly contested 4CYTE Charlie Maher Young Guns final running as the last event of Day six. Always a popular occasion, the final did not disappoint spectators with 33 young talents demonstrating some of the best Campdrafting of the week yet.
There were a phenomenal three scores each of 90 and 91 through the field, but it was a spectacular 92-point run from Fergus Friend, a competitor from Mt Garnett Queensland, which clinched the title with a fine show of horsemanship. Riding the family-owned YARRAWA CLASSIC (Kneipps Conray x Yarrawa Cadillac), Fergus added to a 90 from Round one to claim victory with an Aggregate of 182.
Fergus and YARRAWA CLASSIC are continuing an extremely successful partnership and the 8-year-old Novice mare is a Nutrien Classic Sale graduate, purchased by Codie and Natalie Law of Yarrawa Stock Horses at the 2019 sale for $15,000.
Fergus also impressed on his second finalist ride – another Nutrien Classic graduate in ERVINES VENUS (Kirkbys Stud Contender x Ervines Eclipse), placing fifth. This mare was purchased at the 2020 Nutrien Classic from Craig Ervine and Sue Kirkby, the Tarraway Partnership, for $17,000. Congratulations on an amazing achievement and fantastic to see the Friend family achieving such great results with their Classic purchases.
Another afternoon of Campdraft finals excitement kicked off on Thursday with the Jimmy Matthews Memorial Ladies Dash for Cash, featuring the top lady riders from the event competing for an impressive prize pool. The winner was a popular one, in the Walcha horsewoman Laura McNaughton who rode her husband Ben’s ALWAYS AGAIN for 89-points, a beautiful run.
The Martins Stock Haulage Open Campdraft Final was also an exciting viewing, with the top five combinations coming into the final with only 3 points between them.
It came down to a run-off, but reigning champion Will Durkin held all the cards competing on the Evan and Kim Acton’s talented mare HAZELWOOD CONSPIRACY (Hazelwood Conman x Spin N Acres) continued an absolute trail blaze of big scores throughout each stage of this event to claim the title.
Another incredible 91-point run secured the win, with a total of 364. Across three rounds, their scores were 92-91-91. Spectacular Campdrafting and a great result for long-term Classic supporters Evan and Kim, from Millungera Station in north-west Queensland.
The last and most anticipated event of Thursday night was the Nutrien Classic Campdraft Final – the main incentive event and one that all buyers come to win. The crowd was in all-electric mode positioned up on the hill, as they watched some of the most exciting young Australian performance horses at work.
It was a fantastic spectacle throughout the competition, and it was one of the industry’s best in Mark Buttsworth aboard HARD CURRENCY (Hard Hat Henry x Yulgilbar Bails Cachet) owned by Dave Kennedy of Copabella Quarter Horses, who claimed victory with a spectacular 91-point run.
The win was a special one for Dave, who enjoyed watching his gelding compete in both the Classic and Challenge finals – under two riders, Mark Buttsworth and his protégé Paxton Pulford.
HARD CURRENCY was a sentimental, and somewhat surprise purchase at last year’s sale – as Dave claims he did not expect to buy a horse last year. The gelding’s sire in HARD HAT HENRY was owned by Dave and sadly lost prematurely in 2016, and he couldn’t resist taking home one of his progenies and bringing it back for the 2024 incentive events. A worthwhile decision.
HARD CURRENCY was sold by Dave in this year’s Classic Sale, fetching $40,000 in the sale ring on Thursday morning – one of the highest-priced geldings of the day. He heads to the McClymonts of Hughenden Queensland, to continue his Campdraft career – which is quickly proving illustrious.
Nutrien Classic Sale results 2024
With sales negotiations still underway, the 2024 Nutrien Classic Sale has generated over $12 million for the Australian performance horse industry. From 554 horses offered for sale, 87.73% sold for an overall average of $25,067.
There was good demand for proven female lines again this year, with a range of quality mares and fillies bringing an average of $32,563.
Lot 496 HAZELWOOD CON OAK (Hazelwood Conman x Oaks Prospect) was the star of the show as top price mare and lot of the sale, selling for $180,000 to Ben and Rae Hill from Thallon Queensland. She was presented by the talented horseman Will Durkin on behalf of Terry and Christine Hall, who have been returning vendors at the Nutrien Classic Sale since its inception in 2008.
Terry and Christine also celebrated an Australian-first milestone during this year’s event, with their sire “Hazelwood Conman” reaching a remarkable $10 million in progeny sold through the Nutrien Classic and Masters Sales.
Amongst these have been more than 10 progeny winners of events at the Nutrien Classic, from Campdrafts to Challenges. An amazing achievement for a sire who has certainly cemented himself as a legend of the industry.
Conman genetics were a common theme amongst other top prices of the 2024 sale, with Lot 292, the 3-year-old filly DURKINS TEMPEST – HSH on account of Will Durkin the runner-up sale topper. The black mare by Hazelwood Conman out of Toomba Tempo (Stanton Stud Black Breeze) boasts proven genetics on both sides and was purchased by the Trustee for the Moy family for $160,000.
Geldings and Stallions were in demand
The gelding market grossed more than $4.4 million and averaged over $17,807, with 251 notable lots sold. The top-priced gelding was sold on Sunday at Lot 538 – HALO SPRINGS ROMERO on account of Tsidkenu Pty Ltd. The beautifully presented 4-year-old BC Gigolo x Chickasha Julia gelding sold for $92,500 to Sasha Mylrea.
There were 22 stallions sold at an average of $35,318, topped by Lot 285 CALL ME DADDY – an impressive 2-year-old colt sold by a local vendor who has had a lot of success at the Nutrien Classic in Holly Clayden.
CALL ME DADDY is one of the first Call Me Mitch progeny in Australia and out of open winning mare Moore Park One Moore Rose. He sold to WEC Industries Pty Ltd for $80,000 and was well presented by trainer Ben O’Reilly.
This year’s Nutrien Classic was attended by competitors, vendors, purchasers and spectators from every corner of Australia and beyond. The livestream was viewed from countries including the US, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and Hong Kong. Over 1200 bid cards were registered, one of the highest levels of interest ever seen from buyers.
Nutrien Equine would like to extend thanks to staff, sponsors, cattle donors and vendors for their hard work in preparation for the sale along with traders, spectators, AELEC staff, contractors and volunteers for their ongoing support.
Congratulations must also go to the Classic Ladies Foundation, who this year celebrated over $1 million in funds raised at the event since their inception in 2016 – a tremendous effort from all involved. The Classic Ladies Foundation have generously supported 24 organisations with all proceeds raised going directly to annual charities of choice.
The strength of the Australian Performance Horse industry is evident despite current economic conditions and Nutrien Equine is extremely proud to be at the forefront of its future growth and success in the future.
Buyers are reminded that lots passed in can be viewed in the online catalogue here and their incentive eligibility will remain if sold according to due process in the coming days following the 2024 Sale.
