The 2025 Nutrien Equine Classic Sale marked another successful year of sales with the cornerstone event grossing $13.6 million across 533 lots at Tamworth’s Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.
AuctionsPlus played a key role in the sale’s success, providing the online bidding platform and facilitating a record number of bids across the four-day event.
A total of $1.95 million in sales was transacted through the platform, with 1,550 bids placed on 415 horses. Online buyers secured 87 lots, with purchases recorded across all states.
The highest-priced online purchase was Lot 468, ‘Metallic Spin’, a Metallic Cat filly that sold for $140,000 to a buyer in Clermont, Queensland.
Metallic Spin was offered by R & R Livestock and trained by Russell Bradley. Pic: Supplied
The filly was described as a “Classy Metallic Cat filly they don’t come any better. Full sister to 2017 Classic Sale topper. Fully trained cutter ready for NCHA Derby or to start her campdraft career. Pure horse power with a performance pedigree to match.”
In total, 486 of 533 mares, colts, and geldings sold, achieved a 93% clearance rate. The sale peaked at $180,000, with an average price of $27,498.
The top-priced lot, A Sandie Blonde, a four-year-old mare, was offered by Jason and Rachel Leitch, Springsure, Queensland, and sold to Mac and Gayle Shann, Cantaur Park, Clermont, Queensland.
Queensland-based buyers dominated online purchases, accounting for almost 50% of all transactions made through AuctionsPlus. However, buyers from all seven states participated, reinforcing the national reach of the Classic.
AuctionsPlus Market Operator Coordinator, Toby Pitts, who returned for his third Nutrien Classic Sale, said this year’s results were among the strongest he had seen for AuctionsPlus equine sales.
“It’s good to see buyer confidence well-up this year,” Mr Pitts said.
“The demand for quality performance horses continues to grow, and the competitive bidding we saw—both in person and online—reflected that.
"AuctionsPlus recorded strong engagement across the sale, with more buyers willing to invest in top-tier genetics and well-trained horses.
"This year’s results prove that the digital marketplace is a critical part of sales like the Nutrien Classic, offering greater accessibility for buyers and delivering strong competition for vendors," Mr Pitts said.
In addition to the successful sales, Nutrien announced that the Master's Sale and Graduate Campdraft, traditionally held in September, will now be incorporated into next year’s Classic.
With a strong clearance rate, record online engagement, and growing buyer confidence, the 2025 Nutrien Classic once again reinforced its status as a premier equine sale in Australia.
