Mark Buttsworth and Metal Alloy.

Results from the 2023 Nutrien Classic to date

Following results from the first day of sales, the 2023 Nutrien Classic is on track to surpass last year’s record-breaking success. The event is now well underway after kicking off last Friday 27 January, sticking to a jam-packed program of events.

In its 16th year, the Nutrien Classic continues to position itself as the event of the year in the Performance Horse industry. Held at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, the event attracts the Country’s leading trainers and offers a share of $420,000 in cash and prizes.

The first four days showcased some outstanding displays of horsemanship in the Open, Classic and Young Guns Campdrafts. Not only was talent on display in the campdraft ring, but the field of horses in the Classic Challenge upped the stakes and resulted in an exciting Final that was held on Monday evening.

The competition results to-date are:

·         Prydes EasiFeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge Winner: Mark Buttsworth from Kingaroy QLD, on Branchvale Metal Alloy, Owned by Rodger Grant of Koobah Performance Horses, 350 points

·         2023 Dalgety Stallion Shootout Round 1 Winner: Troy Clarke from Narrabri NSW, on Eagle Hustler, 90 points

·         2023 Dalgety Stallion Shootout Round 2 Winner: Wyatt Young from Tamworth NSW, on Metallic Storm (Metallic Storm Syndicate), 93 points

·         2023 Charlie Maher Memorial Young Guns Campdraft Final Winner: James Moorehead from Ben Lomond, on Style N Blues, owned by EM & TL Moorhead, 181 points

·         2023 Jimmy Matthews Memorial Ladies Campdraft, sponsored by CM Pastoral, Winner: Jess Hoffmann from Charters Towers QLD, on Amrosi, 90 points

·         2023 Nutrien Equine Classic Campdraft Final Winner: Robert Leach from Attunga NSW, on Peelvale Truce, owned by Lowly Pastoral, 267 points

·         AELEC Bar Gelding DASH for Cash: Jason Comiskey from Alpha QLD, on Metallic Dash, 171 points (63points ahead of the second placegetter)

·         2023 Martins Stock Haulage Open Campdraft Winner: Will Durkin from Charters Towers QLD, on Durkins Jewel, owned by Robert Durkin, 271 points

Nutrien Equine’s Mark Barton said: “We’ve seen a fantastic start to The Classic. The competition has been strong, and the quality of sale horses is second to none.”

In addition to the events at AELEC, The Classic delivered a store cattle sale on Wednesday 1 February 2023 at the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange (TRLX), with a total yarding of 3,305 head. The sale grossed approximately $5.2Million, with the top priced cow and calf unit fetching 783 c/kg.

“We saw a top-quality yarding on Wednesday. The recent rain we’ve had instilled confidence in our vendors and buyers, which led to some strong results,” says Selling Agent and Auctioneer at Nutrien Tamworth, Tim Hollis.

The final few days of The Classic will be the drawcard performance horse sale and round 3 of the Stallion Shootout.

“Yesterday, lots 1-160 of the sale received some exciting results and we’re looking forward to seeing the results over the next three days,” said Mr Barton.

The standout from day one of the sale was the mare of Lot 73, Ducktacular on account of K & M Vivers, who was purchased for a whopping $400,000 by Nutrien Tamworth, on behalf of a client.

For more information about the 2023 Nutrien Classic, visit www.nutrienequine.com.au.