First weanlings for In the Congo, Artorius and State of Rest (IRE) proved popular at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale this week.

Artorius had a huge result with the Alma Vale Thoroughbreds consigned colt from I Am Invincible mare Californiasurprise selling for $200,000 to X Bloodstock, NZ

The colt is a half-brother to this season’s Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude winner Field of Play and his dam has had three foals to race all winners.

A dual Group I winner by Flying Artie, Artorius stood at a fee of $27,500 first season and has a tick over 100 foals with his fee this spring dropped to $22,000.

It was Alma Vale Thoroughbreds again producing the top seller for In the Congo, who was the busiest first season sire in 2023 covering 169 mares to produce 100 foals at a fee of $33,000.

They sold a cracking bay colt from Chipanda to another great pinhook judge in Newgate Farm’s Jim Carey. He is the third third foal of Group III placed Chipanda, a half-sister by Sepoy to stakes-winners Handfast and Rusambo.

A Group I winning three-quarter brother to unbeaten superstar filly Autumn Glow, In The Congo stands at $27,500 this spring.

Cox Plate winner State of Rest (IRE) has a first crop of around 80 foals conceived off a $44,000 fee and did best with a Kia Ora Stud bred and consigned colt from Matronymic that sold for $80,000 to Jim Carey.

The colt is the first foal of Matronymic, a winning Russian Revolution daughter of Kiwi stakes-winner Fascination Street.

The best son of Starspangledbanner, State of Rest shuttles from Rathbarry Stud in Ireland with his fee this year dropped back to $22,000.

All three stallions have representation at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on May 25.