Encosta de Lago progeny become hot property for sale

An amazing weekend of success for champion stallion Encosta de Lago could not have been timed more perfectly as far as buyers are concerned, with four of that horse's progeny to go under the hammer at part two of the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) on Saturday.

Encosta de Lago flew to the top of the Australian champion sires' table as a result of the win by Sirmeone in Saturday's Australian Cup (Group 1) at Flemington. The Coolmore-controlled stallion also had two other Group winners in Racing To Win and Von Costa de Hero on the same day, as well as the top New Zealand filly Princess Coup, who was runner-up to Sirmeone.

Normally, all the Jockey Club's purchases for the HKIS are sold on the day before the Cathay Pacific International Races. But this year, due to the knock-on effects of equine influenza, the youngsters who were being prepared in Australia could not be moved as the equine population was in lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Jockey Club, with no real alternative, sold the horses sourced from other jurisdictions in December and the youngsters of Australian origins will be offered on Saturday at a special unique edition of this boutique event.

Last Saturday at Sha Tin, the two-year-olds breezed down the straight on the main turf track and impressed as a high-quality consignment of royally bred horseflesh.

One of the leading contenders to attract the big money is Lot 13, a colt by Encosta de Lago from Lane's End, making him a three-quarter brother to multiple Group winner Chong Tong.