Antony Thompson from Widden Stud waits for a lot to go through the ring so he can pass a framed photograph of the yearling to its new owner.

Alice Minter (left), Vin Cox (right) and Stuart Boman, Arrowfield Racing Manager (centre) inspect yearlings.

Trevor Alexander from Myall Lodge at Chinchilla in Qld. Asked if he wanted me to email him the photo he retorted with a laugh and the comment "I don't even trust those adding machines! What would I do with a computer?!"

Greg Kennedy, trainer from Sunshine Racing Stables (Caloundra). In the recently completed 2004/2005 racing season Greg won the inaugural Sunshine Coast Trainers Strike Rate competition with a strike rate of better than one winner every four starters. Phil Purser wrote a recent article on Greg that appears on the Just Racing site.

Geoff Scholes (co-owner of Access Bloodstock with Doug Newberry) ponders the successful sale of the company's first yearling to be sold at auction - the chestnut filly by General Nediym ex Wings of Courage who was sold to Graeme Rogerson for 155K.

Scott McAlpine from Eureka Stud. Eureka lost 28yo stallion Semipalatinsk at 4.30am on Sunday morning. Scott was philosophical about the loss: "When they get to 28 every day is a bonus," he said. Scott had driven back to the property the afternoon before 'Semi' died. "I wasn't going to go home as the sales were on but I had to go back and pick something up," Scott commented. "I saw him gallop up the side of his paddock when I got home - 12 hours later he was dead." If you wish to read the story of Eureka Stud - and the role Semipalatinsk has played in the last quarter century, I wrote an article about the McAlpines in 2004. It can be accessed at the following URL. As an aside, Scott said the stud shirts "aren't pink ... they are some other colour, yes that's it - puce" (!)

Paringa Park stud manager Tim Breadmore.

Mark (I never did catch his surname) who was the only person who handled the magnificently bred Rock of Gibraltar/Ruby Clipper colt on account of Strawberry Hills Stud. The colt ("son of two world champions" Mark explained gravely) sold for $1,025,000 to the bid of leading South African trainer Charles Laird on Saturday evening.

Auctioneer Steve Davis takes a rest from the rostrum and bid spots instead.

AAP journalist Grant Morgan.

Bloodstock agent Anton Koolman. Anton has been instrumental in organising the purchase of horses that have won 12 Group One races. Horses he has selected/purchased include Let's Elope, Stony Bay, Richfield Lady, Look's Who's Talking, Hula Flight, In Joyment and Dr. More (HK).

... and just in case you feel a bit overwhelmed by some of the names just remember this - they all started out just like this child I captured on film when I went for a walk on the beach early on Sunday evening.