STAY ANOTHER DAY, EXPLORE GOLD COAST
Queensland’s most incredible holiday destinations are ready to welcome you. There are so many places to explore on the Gold Coast, so say hello to new adventures.
PURLING BROOK FALLS NINETEEN AT THE STAR
GOLD COAST
HELI TOURS
BURLEIGH PAVILION
Where Greatness is Created
Arrowfield Sale Graduates since 1 January 2024
GROUP 1 WINNERS
Autumn Angel, Celestial Legend, Lady Shenandoah , Private Life & Switzerland
STAKESWINNERS
Althoff, Bar aqiel, Bittercreek, Estriella, Lady In Pink, Lazzura, Makarena, Ostraka, Sans Doute, Sky Lab, Wee Ness y, Whizz Kid & Willinga Beast
STAKES PERFORMERS
Bank Maur, Cap Ferrat, Comanche Miss, Daggers, Dominetta, Duvana, Jennilala, Know Thyself, Love Poem, Madame Magic, Manos, Matcha Latte, Muramasa, Noisy Boy, Private Legacy, Roselyn’s Star, Tutta La Vita, Very Sewreel & Williamsburg
arrowfield.com.au
TROPICAL SQUALL
G1 Flight Stakes
G1 Surround Stakes
MANZOICE
G1 Victoria Derby
IMPERATRIZ
Champion 3YO in NZ 2021-22
Champion Sprinter/Miler in NZ 2022-23
G1 Levin Classic
G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes
G1 Waikato Railway Stakes
G1 Waikato Sprint
G1 William Reid Stakes
G1 AJ Moir Stakes
G1 Manikato Stakes
G1 Champions Sprint
G1 Lightning Stakes
MILITARIZE
G1 Golden Rose
G1 Champagne Stakes
G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes
Who will be next?
GLINT OF HOPE
G1 Australasian Oaks
FORBIDDEN LOVE
G1 Surround Stakes
G1 George Ryder Stakes
G1 Canterbury Stakes
871
INDIVIDUAL HORSES
WON BONUSES INCLUDING BOBS EXTRA
$11.28
IN BOBS BONUSES AND DOUBLE-UPS THIS IS ON TOP OF RECORD PRIZEMONEY PAID IN NSW MILLION
BONUSES CAN BE WON ON OVER
PUBLISHER
Andrew Reichard
ADVERTISING:
Andrew Reichard
Mobile: 0415 464 904 andrew@bluebloods.com.au
Warren Wruck 0414 385 216 warren@bluebloods.com.au
EDITORIAL
Renee Geelen
Glen Latham
Kristen Manning
Trevor Marshallsea
Jessica Ower
Paul Vettise
Andrew Reichard
Bianca Trathen
BLUEBLOODS would like to thank all the participating vendors who provided their own photos.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Val Hayward
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Margaret Reichard
PRODUCTION
Ignite Design & Creative
David Reichard
Alicia Anderson
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Magic Millions Photographers:
Bruno Cannatelli
Sharon Chapman
Sarah Ebbett
Ashley Grant
Lisa Grimm
Bronwen Healy
Dean Johnson
Makoto Kaneko
Luke Marsden
Simon Merritt
Michael McInally
Katrina Partridge
Flash Pony Photography
Darren Tindale
Bluebloods Photographers:
Bradley Photos
Bruno Cannatelli
Mark Gatt
Lisa Grimm
Steve Hart
Katrina Partridge
Darryl Sherer
See Infinity
Tyreel Stud – Nina Boyle
Visual Productions
Unit 10/3 William Banks Drive, Burleigh Heads Qld 4220
• PO Box 2864, Burleigh BC, Burleigh, Qld 4220
• Phone: (07) 5658 1950
• Email: accounts@bluebloods.com.au
Established 1982 by Brian Russell as The Australian Bloodhorse Review website: www.bluebloods.com.au
PUBLISHED BY BADRANAD PTY LTD - ABN 98 002 825 069
Printed by Southern Impact, VIC • southernimpact.com.au. Typeset by Bluebloods. While every care is taken in the compilation of this magazine, neither BlueBloods nor any of its agents will be held liable for any errors or omissions contained herein or their consequences either in original material or in any material (including advertisements) supplied.
MAGIC MILLIONS
Head Office
28 Ascot Court, Bundall, QLD 4217
• PO Box 5246, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD 9726
• Phone: +61 (0) 7 5504 1200
• Email: info@magicmillions.com.au
• Website: www.magicmillions.com.au
MM welcome
Katie Page-Harvey, Gerry Harvey and Barry Bowditch welcome you to the Magic Millions Carnival, Sales and Raceday.
Government welcome
Message from the Mayor and Minister.
of
Your guide to an action packed week of events on the Gold Coast.
FEATURES
20
Good Knight & Good Luck
Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice was a Magic Millions graduate before he dazzled the world in November. He was a small yearling but, as we found out from his breeder, size wasn’t everything.
38
Won in a Million
It’s been a long time between drinks for racing author Jessica Owers, her last book released in 2013. But a chat with David Chester, our international sales director, started a chain of events that will lead to the 2025 release of her new book… the complete and untold story of Magic Millions.
58
Mac on Track
Stage and screen star
Daniel MacPherson has been a hit since joining the Channel 7 racing team, but when Jessica Owers sat down with him, she discovered a genuine industry die-hard.
74
Sophie Baker Behind the Scenes
At Chris Waller Racing, it’s a matter of pride that in a sport once so maledominated, there’s a team of women playing a vital role in keeping the machine humming behind the scenes.
82
It’s a Sign
Behind every event at the Magic Millions carnival is signage, and behind the signage is the Gold Coast-based ABS Signs. Jessica Owers goes behind the scenes of one of the carnival’s most critical components.
100
Lars Bar & Grill
The Gold Coast’s dining scene just received a major glow-up with the arrival of Lars Bar & Grill, nestled in Nobby Beach’s buzzing Oxley 1823 precinct.
108
A huge milestone for
The Star Gold Coast
The Gold Coast skyline is set to shine brighter than ever with the addition of Epsilon Tower 2 at The Star Gold Coast, a monumental addition to Broadbeach Island, due to open the first quarter of 2025.
114
Pick of the Pics
We asked our photographers to submit their favourite Magic Millions related images and here are the standouts.
120
Ridgemont Takes Off
Swapping the security of an ‘office’ flying at 30,000 feet and the bustling lifestyle of Hong Kong for the Hunter Valley and lush paddocks replete with mares and gambolling foals sounds very much like a quantum leap fraught with peril. But for Ridgmont’s Mitch Cunningham, wife Stephanie and their four children, their question is ‘why didn’t we do it earlier?’.
128
Too Darn Fast
Arabian Summer might be small, in fact it is the first thing mentioned by everyone associated with the filly who around the sales company’s office is known as “the Magic Millions pin-up girl,” but here’s the thing... she doesn’t know it.
136
Culinary Hideaways
The Star Gold Coast’s exclusive private dining
Led by Magic Millions Culinary Ambassador, Executive Chef Dan Fox, The Star Gold Coast is redefining intimate, luxury dining with six exclusive private dining spaces.
WELCOME
We are delighted to extend you and your family a very warm welcome to Queensland for the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
The 2025 edition of the Gold Coast Yearling Sale presents to you Australasia’s finest yearlings from our most influential breeders.
We invite you to our shores to experience the sale that has produced more Group One winners than any other including 34 individual Group One winners from the last five editions of the sale.
Bring in the new year on the glorious Gold Coast and join us from 1 January for the commencement of inspections for the southern hemisphere’s largest yearling sale. The auction of 1401 outstanding equine athletes will be offered from 10am AEST, Tuesday 7 January.
For the first time the conclusion of Book One selling will take place at our new Super Session on Friday 10 January. There will be colour, fun, great food and entertainment as the auction extends into the early evening amidst a super-charged atmosphere on the eve of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday.
This January we are proud to deliver the final phase of our expansion of the world’s best and richest Magic Millions Race Series.
With a world class training and racing facility at the Gold Coast Turf Club, we introduce the inaugural Magic Millions Gold twilight racemeeting on Saturday 4 January.
$6.05 million in prizemoney will be on offer over an exciting ten-race program that sees the features conducted under lights including the new $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight slot race for three-year-olds, $1 million TAB Magic Millions The Syndicate and $500,000 Magic Millions The Wave. Six of the ten races are exclusive to Magic Millions Race Series nominated horses.
Our Carnival is all about sharing our love of the horse and our love of the spectacular Gold Coast region.
There is no better example of this perfect combination than the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping. Get yourself to Doug Jennings Park, Main Beach on Sunday 5 January to take in a full day of equestrian action with
coastal style. Witness polo royalty as well as the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup for retired thoroughbreds. The best showjumpers from around Australia will vie for a $1.45 million prize pool in the hotly contested senior teams competition.
The grand final of the 2024/25 Queensland Summer Racing Carnival takes centre stage on Saturday 11 January. The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday showcases $14.5 million in prizemoney over ten races including $750,000 in Racing Women’s Bonuses.
Alongside the renowned $3 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic and $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, the high quality Magic Millions Cup has doubled in prizemoney and will be run for $2 million for the first time whilst the Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open has increased to offer $1.5 million prizemoney.
Across the Magic Millions Gold twilight racemeeting and The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday, there will be 20 races and a phenomenal $20.55 million in prizemoney returned to participants.
The delivery of our incredible Carnival would not be possible without the support of our partners.
We gratefully acknowledge our extraordinary naming rights partner in The Star Gold Coast, our strategic partner Tourism and Events Queensland and our long-term valued principal partner Racing Queensland.
We also acknowledge the significant support of TAB, our official wagering partner and supporting partner for Magic Millions Racing Women, along with esteemed major sponsors Pacific Fair, Seven West Media, Sky Racing Active and champagne partner Pommery.
On behalf of the Magic Millions family we welcome you to our home on the Gold Coast this summer. We invite you to experience the magic and start your 2025 at The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
Gerry Harvey, Katie Page-Harvey & Barry Bowditch
The Honourable Andrew Powell MP
Minister for Environment and Tourism and the Minister for Science and Innovation
I’m delighted to welcome you to The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival 2025.
The Queensland Government is proud to support this event through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events program, a key driver of our outstanding $850 million Queensland Events Calendar for 2024. This event offers a true taste of Queensland’s vibrant spirit and contributes to our growing reputation as the premier destination for world-class entertainment and unforgettable visitor experiences.
If you’re here for the event, make sure you get out explore everything this stunning region has to offerfrom its natural beauty to its unique attractions.
TOM TATE Gold Coast Mayor
There’s something Magic about The Millions as people from across the world come together trackside for this incredible racing carnival.
This year, the event has two 10-race cards, boosting the on-track excitement and broadening its appeal to the public.
As mayor, I know the value this event delivers to our city through visitor nights and across our smallbusiness economy. Equally, the brand exposure for the Gold Coast is remarkable as the city is showcased nationally and internationally. We can always trust Katie and Gerry to put on a great event!
In many ways, the real ‘magic’ is how this carnival reinvents itself, attracting new sponsors, fans and punters from across the world.
Building on success means understanding the audience and we all know that adding show jumping and polo has been a winner.
Congratulations to The Star Gold Coast and Pacific Fair for your support as major sponsors in 2025.
My message to those heading our way for the Magic Millions is: make it a one-way airfare as you won’t want to go back too early.
We are a city famous our beaches, the hinterland, waterways and world-class dining and entertainment precincts. It’s time to stay a little longer and party a little harder in Australia’s favourite playground.
See you trackside.
Wednesday 1stMonday 13th
Gold Coast Yearling Sale Inspections
About: From Wednesday 1 January the Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogued lots are available for inspection at the Magic Millions Sales Complex.
The public is welcome to the Bundall complex to get a first-hand look into the world of Thoroughbred sales and racing.
Where: Magic Millions Complex, Bundall
Time: From 8am to 5pm daily
Tickets: Free Event
Friday 3rd
BMD Northcliffe SLSC Sportsman’s Luncheon
About: The Annual BMD Northcliffe Sportsman’s Luncheon is proudly brought to you by BMD Northcliffe Surf Club and Shaw and Partners Financial Services.
MC: Vince Sorrenti | Panel Host: Pat Welsh | Comedians: Greg Ritchie and Lindsay Webb
Special Guest Panel: Olympic 50m Freestyle Gold Medalist, Cameron McEvoy and K4 500m & K2 500m Kayaking Olympic medalists and Double Paralympic Gold Medalist, Alexa Leary.
Sponsors: Shaw and Partners Financial Services, Carlton & United Breweries, Treasury Wine Estates, Simon George & Sons, Con-sol.
The event will be staffed by BMD Northcliffe Supporters Club staff and Surf Club volunteers.
Cost: $280pp includes full seafood buffet, 5 hour beer, wine & soft drink package (This event is currently sold out with a waiting list).
Email: Lee Vrolyks: info@northcliffesurfclub.com.au for enquiries.
Time: 11am - 4pm
Saturday 4th
$6.05m Magic Millions Gold
About: Kicking off two incredible weekends of racing at Aquis Park, the new Magic Millions Gold features 10 races from 2pm to 8pm including the inaugural running of the $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight (3YO) slot race under lights. The meeting also showcases the $1 million TAB Magic Millions The Syndicate and the $500,000 Magic Millions The Wave over a 10 race card, of which six races are exclusively for horses nominated to the Magic Millions Race Series.
Where: Aquis Park, Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall
Gates open: Members: 11am | General Admission: 11.30am
Tickets and information: https://gctc.com.au/ summer-carnival/#magic-millions-gold-raceday
Sunday 5th
Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping
About: Witness some of the country’s best Junior and Senior Showjumpers, including Off-The-Track
Thoroughbreds vie for a slice of the $1.5 million prize pool. Also watch action-packed, fast-paced Polo games with star players. It’s a full day of events, perfect for the whole family, you won’t want to miss out!
Where: Doug Jennings Park, The Spit
Time: From 8am
Cost:
General Admission: Adults $35pp
Children: $15pp 18 & under (15 and under free)
Concession: $15pp
Family Package: $50 (2 adults & 2 children*)
Pacific Fair Pavilion: $390pp
Ferry Tickets: Adults $10pp | Children $2pp†
Tickets: Available at Ticketek
More information: magicmillionspoloandshowjumping.com.au
*Family Package: children = 15 yrs & under / †Ferry Tickets: children = 18 & under
Monday 6th, Wednesday 8th & Friday 10th
Racing Queensland’s Own The Morning
About: Grab a coffee and meet leading trainers, breeders and industry leaders for a relaxed walk and talk.
Covering a range of topics, these ½ hour information sessions are an opportunity for prospective, current and returning owners to engage with the legends of racing.
Where: Racing Queensland Marquee (Near A Barn), Magic Millions Sales Complex
Time: 9am
Tickets: Free event
Register your interest to attend: https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/ownership/own-the-morning-series
Monday 6th
Carbine Club Luncheon
About: The Carbine Club of Queensland will host Queensland’s biggest Racing Lunch celebrating the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
The event includes a three-course lunch with a four hour drinks package. Vince Sorrenti will host the day and be joined by well known Sports Journalist, Pat Welsh. Special guests include Australian thoroughbred trainer and Hall of Fame
Inductee Lee Freedman, Channel 7 Media Personality Emma Freedman, and Australia’s Premier Racecaller, Darren Flindell.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
Time: 12 noon
Tickets: $250pp
Bookings through TryBooking: https://portal.trybooking.com/au/event/1303596
For enquiries or further details email: Lisa McHarg: admin@carbineclubqld.com.au
Monday 6th
Women In Racing Inc Australia Luncheon
About: Women In Racing Inc Australia’s annual event is being held once again at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.
The “Make 2025 Magic” luncheon includes a three-course luncheon and 2½ hour beverage package, VIP guest speaker, entertainment, raffles, milliners and accessory displays.
Where: Horizons Room, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Main Beach
Time: From 12 noon
Tickets: Members $180 | Non-members $210
Contact: Baslyn Beel 0411 698 484; or Jennifer Bartels 0438 741 242
Tuesday 7th
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw
About: The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw takes centre stage on the Surfers Paradise Foreshore.
Between 6am and 8am be mesmerised by the unique spectacle of Thoroughbreds thundering down the pristine sands of Queensland’s most iconic beach, Surfers Paradise and watch an informative stage show of all things Magic Millions.
The Barrier Draw will follow for the $3 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic and $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3Y0 Guineas. Connections will draw the barrier from which their horse will start on Raceday, Saturday 11 January.
Where: Surfers Paradise Foreshore, Surfers Paradise (opposite Trickett Street)
Time: From 6am, including three exhibition beach runs. Stage show: From 6.45am
Tickets: Free Event
Tuesday 7th – Monday 13th
The Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale
About: The flagship Gold Coast Yearling Sale attracts both national and international buyers for the fun and excitement of the Carnival and the serious business of selecting a champion racehorse.
Over the most recent racing season, the auction house is the number one sales source of Group 1 and black type winners in Australia.
Where: Magic Millions Complex, Bundall
Time:
Tuesday 7th from 10am
Wednesday 8th from 10am
Thursday 9th from 10am
Friday 10th from 10am
Sunday 12th from 3.30pm
Monday 13th from 10am
Tickets: Free Event
Thursday 9th
GCTC 2YO TAB Calcutta Dinner
About: Join racing enthusiasts for a fun and relaxed night with dinner and drinks. This sell-out annual event is a ringside seat not to be missed. Participate in the Calcutta Draw no matter where you are in Australia to win big on the night.
Where: Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall
Time: 6pm
Cost:
Member: $210pp | Non-Member: $230pp
Tickets: https://gctc.com.au/summercarnival/#tab-2yo-calcutta
Saturday 11th
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday
About: Head trackside for the 2025 $14.5 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday featuring the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas exclusively for Magic Millions graduates. With 10 thrilling races at the picturesque Gold Coast Turf Club, including $750,000 in Magic Millions Racing Women’s Bonuses, this Raceday has cemented its reputation on the international racing scene as a must attend event.
Where: Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall
Time: From 9am
Tickets: Visit www.gctc.com.au
Website: https://gctc.com.au/summer-carnival/#the-stargold-coast-magic-millions-raceday
Tuesday 14th
Magic Millions Widden Stud Golf Day
About: One of the racing industry’s favourite pastimes is a relaxing game of golf. Widden Stud Golf Day provides Magic Millions vendors and buyers, trainers, jockeys and industry associates the perfect opportunity to unwind for the day at the RACV Royal Pines Golf Course. The day is open for anyone to join with any singles placed into teams of four to play Ambrose style.
Where: RACV Royal Pines, Benowa
Time: From 11am
Tickets: 4 ball Ambrose $160 per person – includes green fees, electric cart, drink vouchers and a BBQ luncheon.
Contact: Taylor Foley (02) 6549 9999 or email taylor@widden.com
Good Knight
& GOOD LUCK
by Jessica Owers
Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice was a Magic Millions graduate before he dazzled the world in November. He was a small yearling but, as Jessica Owers found out from his breeder, size wasn’t everything.
Knight’s Choice was only ordinary, if traffic was to be believed at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“You know how it goes,” says the horse’s breeder, 76-year-old Norm Bazeley. “The experts come out and they think he’s a bit small, the kind of stuff we’ve all heard before. Once upon a time I’d flare up, but now I just take it on the chin. Oh well, I say, just give it time, and that’s what happened.”
On November 5, Knight’s Choice won the Melbourne Cup in an argument with the Japanese raider Warp Speed. There was a nose in it, a few inches separating the local from the import.
The winner was just the fourth Australian-bred horse this century to prevail in the ‘race that stops a nation’, and the first by an Australian-bred sire since Rogan Josh in 1999. He is the fourth Melbourne Cup-winning graduate for Magic Millions, hot on the heels of Let's Elope in 1991, Subzero in 1992 and Shocking in 2009.
“It’s a story for the battlers,” Bazeley says, and he would know. He’s one of them.
Three hours north of Scone, in the township of Walcha, he has a couple of broodmares on a property called Elswick Park. Two hundred years ago, this was bushranger country. The grass is thick and good on basalt plains over 1000 metres above sea level, and the district has its racing history. The 1905 Melbourne Cup winner, Blue Spec, was bred locally by Augustus Hooke, and
renowned breeder Jill Nivison lives here too.
“It’s good for horses,” Bazeley says. “People go on to me about Scone, but up here it’s hilly basalt country with naturally good pasture. The only issue is that our winter tends to last four to five weeks longer, so the mares are cycling a bit later.”
Walcha is sat along Thunderbolts Way, a remote stretch of road from Gloucester in the south to Uralla in the north. Few people realise it is the fastest route between Sydney and Brisbane because its remoteness, so useful to the scallywag for whom it was named, puts travellers off; they prefer the populated route through Tamworth, Scone and Singleton.
“I am born and bred Walcha,” Bazeley says. “If you see the big house at the end of town there (Langford House, circa 1905) and look down the road a bit, that’s where you’ll find us.”
Bazeley hasn’t spent his whole life in Walcha. As a younger man he worked in civil construction on projects like the Pindari and Toonumbar dams, and later in Brisbane. He lost his first wife to a sudden cerebral haemorrhage when she was 45, and these days he is married to Diane. They bought Elswick Park in 2000.
“It didn’t have a lot on it,” Bazeley says. “It had a bit of infrastructure, some sheds and things, but we added to it.” In the end, the most important addition was the broodmare Midnight Pearl, dam of Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice. ➤
Norm Bazeley, Breeder Knight’s Choice
Lot 1001, Extreme Choice-Midnight Pearl, (Knight’s Choice), 2021 Magic Millions, with John Donnelly
“It’s like a dream,” Bazely says. “It still is and I’m afraid I’ll wake up”
“I got her at a sale for $1000 (in 2013). I knew I’d got a bargain. She was by More Than Ready and I had this idea about going to Not A Single Doubt. So I tried to do that, but it didn’t work out and we ended up going to Extreme Choice, who was still a bit new at Newgate.”
Time may have improved the story, but without a stakes winner in any of her immediate pedigree, Midnight Pearl was knocked back for Not A Single Doubt. At nearby Newgate, his son, Extreme Choice, was a second-season sire in 2018 and Bazeley got in for $22,000. Today, Extreme Choice stands for over 10 times that sum.
“We laugh about it now,” he says. “I understand why they refused the booking; she wasn’t good enough. We all have fun with it now and she’s gone back to Arrowfield since. She’s got a lovely filly at foot by The Autumn Sun.”
Knight’s Choice was foaled at Elswick Park on September 20, 2019, when Midnight Pearl was 14.
In Bazeley’s opinion it was a good bloodline, but it wasn’t a Melbourne Cup bloodline.
“I mainly thought that if Knight’s Choice eventually won a good sprint race, or a middle-distance race, that would be about where he was supposed to be.”
In 2021, Bazeley took three yearlings to the Magic Millions catalogue in January. Knight’s Choice, as Lot 1001, was neat and tidy and small. With the fall of the gavel, he sold for $85,000 to the Queensland training pair of Sheila Laxon and John Symons, and, as so often occurs in horse racing, it proved one of bloodstock’s greatest bargains.
“After the Cup, one of the first guys to ring me was Les Kelly, who had been the underbidder at $80,000,” Bazeley says. “He couldn’t believe it. But I just had that feeling with that horse that he was always going to end up with Sheila and John.”
The Knight’s Choice story has been one of swings and roundabouts.
Both Laxon and Symons knew the pedigree long before the 2021 Magic Millions catalogue; they had trained Midnight Pearl from 2010 to her purchase by Bazeley on the cheap. They had
also trained the mare’s half-brother, Denoninator. Meanwhile, Richard and Kay Waldron, who had bred Midnight Pearl and who had been distressed to sell her for next to nothing in 2013, are now two of the three owners in Knight’s Choice (alongside Cameron Bain).
Sheila Laxon had had big opinions of Denoninator, a horse she had thought could have reckoned with a Melbourne Cup. “So when John saw Knight’s Choice in the Magic Millions catalogue, he really liked what he saw and decided to buy him,” Laxon says, but Symons remembers there wasn’t much of a horse to buy.
“He was only little, but I know the sire was little,” Symons says. “Still, he had all the attributes that I really look for. He was a good walker and had a really big jowl for a little horse. He just appealed to me, and of course we knew the family well.
When Richard and Kay sold that mare, Midnight Pearl, for just $1000, they were devastated, and I mean really devastated, to get that money for her. But I told them not to worry, that we could go and get the best one out of her and race it, so that’s how it all came about.”
Knight’s Choice was above average from the beginning. Just four starts in he posted a fourrace winning streak through Queensland’s 2023 winter carnival. It led to a $2.3 million offer from Hong Kong, which was rejected amid a circus of speculation and public opinion. A year later the horse is a millionaire Melbourne Cup winner, and Norm Bazeley says it is no accident.
“John and Sheila are old-time horse people. They’ve trained that horse to perfection, and I believe they’ve made a stayer out of that bloodline. They educated the horse in a proper manner and I hold my hat up to them.”
Laxon and Symons put their polish on Knight’s Choice at Macedon Lodge, which Laxon had also done in 2001 when sending Ethereal out to win the Melbourne Cup. She might be the only undefeated Cup-winning trainer in history.
“It was a pipeline dream for her to win a second one, and she did it and that is amazing,” Bazeley says. “You’ve got to give it to her. She’s had ➤
two horses in the Melbourne Cup and she’s won both of them. I was so happy when they got that little colt from me because they were small-time trainers and they’ve come out with this result. It’s a credit to them.”
Bazeley watched the race from his living room in Walcha, Diane at bridge club in town. For a moment after Knight’s Choice poked past the post, Bazeley was pale and grave awaiting the photo finish before the greatest thrill he has known. Within the hour, friend John Donnelly was at his door, three years ago just a local kid who led Knight’s Choice around the sale ring at Magic Millions.
“It’s like a dream,” Bazeley says. “It still is and I’m afraid I’ll wake up”, except that the journalists kept calling and the stallion farms kept asking. Midnight Pearl, his 19-year-old broodmare, was an overnight star, no book too good for her now. A week after the Melbourne Cup she went to Hitotsu.
“You can see now how it all came together,” Bazeley says. “The whole story is a close-knit, dedicated group of people, their hearts all in the right place. None of them were looking for glory but they’ve got it. It’s just a wonderful Australian story.” n
SUNSHINE, STYLE AND 400 STORES
12 Months of TTR AusNZ
August 2023 - August 2024
301,295 readers contributed to 759,144 sessions
“TTR AusNZ has very quickly raised the bar for thoroughbred industry news and features in Australasia. It is a fresh approach to the new daily read..”
Barry Bowditch, Magic Millions
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WON
In a Million
by Jessica Owers
It’s been a long time between drinks for racing author
Jessica Owers, her last book released in 2013. But a chat with David Chester, our international sales director, started a chain of events that will lead to the 2025 release of her new book… the complete and untold story of Magic Millions.
Four years ago, on the edge of Covid, I sat with David Chester in his office at Magic Millions. The brief was simple; write a story on Chester, for 40 years a Magic Millions servant, and don’t forget the running and the budgie smugglers. The result was the 2019 magazine feature I Am David, but the real result was a book.
“You should write one on Magic Millions. Honestly,” Chester said, “people wouldn’t believe the stories. They wouldn’t believe how close we were to failing, how it all might have fallen apart if it hadn’t been for Snippets.”
Chester said the stories were disappearing with the old guys. The passing of time, he said, had not been kind to the history of Magic Millions.
“Hardly any of it is recorded. You should write a book on it,” he said, but how many times had I heard that?
Shortly after I Am David was published, Covid-19 dropped its anchors in Australia. Three years passed, and in the spring of 2023 I was frustrated. I was publishing work around the clock, but it had been a decade since I had released a book, and when you’re an author first, journalist second, nothing will do but a manuscript and a promise to publish. I thought back to the afternoon in Chester’s office. The sun had been low, the sliding doors open to the Gold Coast heat. “This used to be a bedroom,” Chester had said as I ran a finger over the 1986 Magic Millions trophy and squinted at the old catalogues on the shelf.
A book about an auction house… how would I write it, and who would read it? Where in god’s
good name would I even start?
A month later, I telephoned Chester to tell him that his book would be written. I had a publisher and I had the faith. Chester, sitting in that sunsoaked, one-time bedroom downstairs, was stunned. “Now begins the hard part,” he said.
I had written big books before, but the calibre of the Magic Millions story kept me up at night. There were dozens of people to interview, from the obvious ones like Gerry Harvey to the less obvious ones like John Grieg, head of Deloitte Australia. There were families to track down with crumbs of history, and land records, deeds of mortgage and newspaper archives to shovel. Used as I was to writing about the dead (my previous books were on 1930s Peter Pan and 1940s Shannon), writing about the living was a new experience.
I hit the road in my old white Land Rover, pointed north from Sydney for Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. I was keeping a list of interviewees and it was growing daily. It grew so quickly that I wondered how I would ever find time to start writing. The only way to tackle it, with just a year to finish it, was chronologically, and so I started in 1978, the year the land was bought at Ascot Court.
I became friends with Roger Waugh, son of Magic Millions founder Carl Waugh, and I telephoned David Chester weekly, sometimes daily. I harassed him in Hong Kong, Penang and Singapore, wherever he was, with questions about prices and the car he drove in 1992. On one occasion he was seated around a table for 20 at the Yulong ➤
homestead in Shanxi. Back in the Magic Millions office at Bundall, I was a similar pest for Val Hayward, the company’s marketing manager who has been on the payroll since 1988.
The stories began to pour; it was like twisting the tap of a flow hive. People found themselves dredging 40-year-old memories and talking about things they had never discussed, or hadn’t discussed for decades, or never wanted to discuss again. Did they remember the weather that day? Could they recall who led that yearling? What were the use-by dates on the pies at Sanctuary Cove?
I had stories from studmasters, the likes of Neville Stewart, Basil Nolan and John Messara,
and people like Andy Augustine and Sally Rogers, who had been involved with Snippets. I spoke to Peter Cameron, Tony Fleiter, Paul Weekes, Terry Catip and Anthony Gow-Gates, men who never expected anyone to telephone them, out of the blue, about their jobs 30 years ago. Some of the best material emerged from people out of the racing industry, like the once billionaire property developer Malcolm Edwards, who I met in downtown Sydney on a cold morning in July.
At the time of writing, I have 56 recorded interviews and dozens more in casual telephone calls. The manuscript, still unfinished, has emerged as plump and fanciful as fiction because Chester was right. People won’t believe the stories. ➤
Carl Waugh, responsible for the original sales complex in 1980 and co-creator of the Magic Millions concept in 1986.
Gerry Harvey and John Singleton, whose Magic Millions era began in 1997.
A crowd of 10,000 people packed the complex for the inaugural Magic Million Yearling Sale in 1986.
Magic Millions rose out of swampland in 1978. Not even the canal at the far end of the complex existed. At the time, there was no dedicated selling facility in Queensland, yearling auctions occurring in the bull ring of the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds.
But into town rolled Carl Waugh, a sweary, brilliant old bushie with an idea and a few quid, and with five founding partners he built the complex that was first the Gold Coast Convention & Sales Centre, and today is Magic Millions.
Not much has changed onsite. New barns have gone up and the place beautified, but it is lined with palm trees as it was for the first sale in 1980. The big tickets, aside from horses, are still the golden beaches, Queensland sun and a holiday spot in January. “We never wanted to look like hicks,” Waugh said, and by 1988 the Magic Millions Yearling Sale was second only to Inglis Easter on the Australian auction calendar. Inglis, remember, had a century-old head start.
In the late 1980s, Magic Millions was the fastestgrowing auction house in the country and introduced the world’s first incentive sale-race concept. With its million-dollar kitty (the ‘Magic Million’), only the Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup were worth more. Criticism of the concept was relentless, and from corners of the industry you would least expect, but the Gold Coast incentive sale, ‘Won in a Million’ so the slogan went, is still blooming 39 years later.
I discovered that Magic Millions, the company, had distinct eras. The first was Waugh, the second under Malcolm Edwards and John Needham, the third when it tumbled into financial chaos, and the fourth when Gerry Harvey emerged with deep pockets and scuffed tennis shoes. Harvey, for a time alongside Singo and the late Rob Ferguson, sailed Magic Millions into what it is today, Katie Page adding the wax and polish. In
between, some of the great episodes in modern bloodstock have occurred; the Bart Cummings fire sale, publicly listed farms and stables, Brian Maher and the ‘Bottom of the Harbour’ scandal, and equine influenza and Covid-19.
Sale graduates have been just as interesting; Snippets, Stylish Century, Tristanagh and Shadea in the early days. The very first Magic Millions catalogue, just 200 yearlings, produced seven stakes winners from Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne. Later on came Subzero, Mahogany, Pierro, Sunlight and Atlantic Jewel until Winx, knocked down for $230,000, put a pen to the history books.
Today, we write about Magic Millions like it has always been there on the landscape. It is one half of the two leviathan auction houses in Australia, but while today it flourishes, and in the last four decades it has flourished, at times it has limped along like a wounded stag. The receivers and liquidators stood over it in the 1990s, and I have written about moments when the future of the company came down to one man’s decision on the 23rd floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Surfers Paradise.
So, in the words of novelist David Morrell, “why is this book worth a year of my life”? I found myself asking this question last year. There are countless stories to tell in horse racing; I’ve told two of the greatest already, so why Magic Millions?
But quickly I learned that this sun-soaked auction house has lived, breathed, failed and succeeded like any human character, and all in an industry as hard and storied and vivid as racing. The story of Magic Millions is not mine to own, but it has been mine to tell, and David Chester is still right. You won’t believe it. n
*The as-yet untitled story of Magic Millions will be released by Penguin Random House in late 2025.
‘…this sun-soaked auction house has lived, breathed, failed and succeeded like any human character, and all in an industry as hard and storied and vivid as racing.’
The
out of the
in
sale crowd spills
auditorium
the early days of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, c. 1987.
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MAGIC MILLIONS | KARAKA | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | SYDNEY
THE HEIR APPARENT
• Only Gr.1 winning son of Deep Field
• Won the Oakleigh Plate as a 3YO –like Fastnet Rock, Snitzel and Starspangledbanner
• Only Gr.1 winner as a 3YO colt in open company from the entire 2017 crop
STORM BOY
Justify-Pelican
$3,000,000 THE STAR GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC
2nd Highness, 3rd Spywire | Margins: 2.5 lengths x 2.3 lengths | Time: 1 minute 8 seconds | Cost: $460,000 at 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale | Vendor: Coolmore Stud (As Agent) | Buyer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel T’breds Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus
Jockey: Robbie Dolan
FLYING TRAPEZE
Alabama Express-Caricature
2nd Trifling | Position past the post: 3rd | Cost: $85,000 at 2022 Gold Coast Yearling Sale | Vendor: Widden
Portelli Jockey: Tyler Schiller
2nd Miss Hellfire, 3rd Maid to Fit
Margins:
length
Vendor: Spendthrift Australia Trainer: Annabel Neasham | Jockey: James McDonald
Am Invincible-Calming
Jockey: Craig Williams
2nd Pasima, 3rd Surreal I Am | Margins: 2.8 lengths x
$450,000 at 2022 Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Vinery Stud | Buyer: TFI
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
BOOM TORQUE
Spirit of Boom-Outback Saga
$1,000,000 RACING QUEENSLAND MAGIC MILLIONS QTIS OPEN
2nd Better Get Set, 3rd Chinny Boom | Margins: 0.2 length x 2.5 lengths | Time: 1 minute
|
Vendor: Glenlogan Park | Buyer: Healey Racing/Furlong B’stock/SJC T’breds | Trainer: Matthew Dunn | Jockey: Michael Dee
Trainer: John O’Shea
Jockey: Craig Williams
KING OF SPARTA
Am Invincible-Octavia
2nd Petronius, 3rd Rose Quartz | Margins: 2 lengths x 1.5 lengths |
Yarraman Park Stud | Buyer: China Horse Club/Newgate B’stock/Starlight Racing | Trainers: Peter &
Kitchwin Hills
Chris Anderson/Neil Werrett/Max Whitby/David Giesemann
Trainer: Chris Anderson
Jockey: Michael Rodd
2nd Froebel Star, 3rd Dominetta
lengths
Gold Coast Yearling Sale | Vendor: Vinery Stud
McKeever
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
MACOn Track
by Jessica Owers
Stage and screen star Daniel MacPherson has been a hit since joining the Channel 7 racing team, but when Jessica Owers sat down with him, she discovered a genuine industry die-hard.
Daniel MacPherson has the face of someone cut for stardom; beardy, blueeyed, teeth as a dentist’s daydream. Since 1998 he has been a star of Australian film, stage and television, from Neighbours to Land Of Bad alongside Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth. But give this man a racehorse because MacPherson is the newest face of 7Racing, the one they’ve nicknamed ‘DMac’, and he’s never been more at home. “I don’t want to say I was dropping hints to get the gig,” he says, but would you blame him when his colleagues include Bruce McAvaney, Jason Richardson and Lizzie Jelfs?
MacPherson, however, isn’t a once-a-year racing stooge. As everyone at the network found out, racehorses were a 25-year pattern for this popular actor. “A lot of people say they know racing, that they’ve been involved in racing, but I’d been in and around it the majority of my career,” he says.
“These days I relax by studying pedigrees and hypotheticals online at night before I go to bed.”
The unlikely obsession began when MacPherson moved to Melbourne for Neighbours. He was little more than 17 years old but, as part of Channel 10’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup carnival, he found himself drawn to the tie-up stalls and mounting yard instead of the colour and cameras of The Birdcage. As a triathlete himself, and a good one, MacPherson was fascinated by the animals, and in no time he was going to trackwork at Flemington, which led to friendships with Lee Freedman and Lindsay Park and, inevitably, racehorse ownership.
“I ended up buying a horse with Lee at Magic Millions, a Sebring filly in about 2011,” he says.
“We missed out on the Sebring filly we wanted, and of course that one ended up earning over $1 million and our one had seven starts for one place and we couldn’t sell her. We gave her a lovely retirement at Kitchwin Hills, and after a few years of writing cheques for service fees and agistment and whatnot, I suddenly thought maybe I should learn a bit more about this.”
MacPherson chose his mentors well…the likes of John and Paul Messara, and Mick Malone. Today he owns three broodmares, has three foals on the ground and three horses in work. One of them is the very smart Saltaire, whom MacPherson named after a building in hometown Cronulla. “I’m determined to keep the ownership number in single digits,” he says, but doesn’t everyone say that?
MacPherson breezed into 7Racing at the same time as the spring carnival last year. He was everywhere, from post-race hookups to the stalls, crooning Mr Brightside on live television. His job was to shoot the breeze, read the tic tac and follow the energy, and he did it like he’d been doing it all his life. “For a racing fan to get that kind of access, it’s just amazing,” he says. “I got to stand at the winning post on a Cox Plate day when Romantic Warrior just noses out Mr Brightside, and Danny Shum is there next to me and JMac is running back. I get to step into a high-calibre, highly credentialled, highly skilled, incredibly well-produced sports production, and none of that is by accident. They have exceptional people at every level in that team, from the onair talent to the research and producers. There is a reason why Channel 7 is doing so many weekends, expanding its coverage.” ➤
Last January, MacPherson followed the 7 team to Magic Millions. For a man with more than 200 hours of live television experience (he presented Dancing With The Stars for seven seasons), the sale ring was different theatre. “It’s another live performance, isn’t it?” he says, a bit like his 7Racing promo. “This place is complete madness and I love it, from the rapid-fire auctioneer to the frantic bid-spotters, to the chinos and pastels…it’s awesome.”
But up and down the barns and around the Gold Coast sale ring, few cast a second glance at MacPherson. He’s the Channel 7 guy, not the movie star, and he isn’t for sale. He’s not a Snitzel filly or a colt by I Am Invincible, which are the real stars here. MacPherson likes that apathy of the yearling crowd because, in show business with its speciality in make-believe, the thoroughbreds and their people are real. “This sport thrives on characters, and I don’t think characters are more on show than at somewhere like Magic Millions,” he says.
MacPherson’s first exposure to racing was in 1983 when Kiwi finished like Bernborough to win the Melbourne Cup. His grandmother Grace had trotted him down to the TAB in Southgate, Sylvania, not far from Cronulla, to place their bets on the big race. MacPherson, just three years old, won $5. “I’ve played golf with Jim Cassidy and his story about that ride on Kiwi, and how significant it was in his life, is amazing because it was similarly significant in my life,” he says as he recalls Grace’s kitchen filled with the chatterbox rhythms of 2KY racing radio.
Today, the actor visits his horses in Scone and talks shop with whoever will listen. He’s in a punters group with Hedley Thomas, the chief crime podcaster of Australia, and he says he’s about due for another “good, dirty, beardy horse role”. While he’s played a bushranger and an elfin prince in previous roles for film and television, his most famous horsey role was playing the late Jason Oliver in the 2011 production The Cup. Though nearly 15 years ago, he doesn’t forget the responsibility of the casting. “It was an exceptional tragedy and a tragic accident, and a triumph of an Australian story,” MacPherson says. “I really had to look under the bonnet as research for that role.” ➤
“This sport thrives on characters, and I don’t think characters are more on show than at somewhere like Magic Millions.”
MacPherson was just 17 when plucked out of a triathlon crowd by a talent scout, and in 1999 he won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent courtesy of Neighbours. He spent three years in the UK, earning a role in long-running drama The Bill before returning to Australia to present The X Factor and, eventually, Dancing With The Stars. At 30, he relocated to Los Angeles, stepping away from Dancing With The Stars and City Homicide, and the timing of that decision weighed on him heavily. “They were the number-one live entertainment show and number-one drama in the country, and I just quit it all to go to America. It took me three years to get my first American lead role, inching and scratching my way, job by job, in the most competitive environment in the world.”
Actors follow the work. When it started to happen for MacPherson in the US, it was relentless. He travelled the world, but five years ago the goalposts shifted with the arrival of his son, Austin, and MacPherson’s focus since has been family, fatherhood and working locally. “I’m getting to the point in my career now where I’m more selective about what I’m doing because everything gets measured against time with my son,” he says. Anyway, fame isn’t the same at 44 as it was when he was 18, mobbed by teenagers outside a shopping centre, his face on the cover of Dolly magazine. “I think that’s where a lot of young performers get stuck,” he says. “They get being famous and being an actor confused, and for me, my hope is that any fame or notoriety comes from being really good at my job.”
MacPherson is good at his job. He learns his lines quickly thanks to something like a photographic memory. In primary school, he was identified by the Mensa organisation, the world’s oldest, largest and most famous high-IQ society. “But we never really did anything with it,” he says. “It’s been more a conversation piece than anything.” In the entertainment business, it’s a valuable man that can act and host on both live and recorded gigs. Throw in film and you’ll understand why MacPherson is never short of work. He recently wrapped a national tour with actor John Waters in the stage production The Woman In Black, and in 2023 he completed a second series of the Apple sci-fi drama Foundation. “They just don’t come any bigger,” he says. “To work on that scale of television is extraordinary.”
But ticking away in the background is the sport of kings. Once a year, usually at the end of the year, celebrities spill onto racecourses with their love of racing sudden and annual. In the case of Dan MacPherson, the passion is as genuine and rich as morning rain. MacPherson can chew the fat with Robbie Williams one day, James Bester the next, then trot the globe with Russell Crowe on big-budget casting. “But you know,” he says, “to have people like David Hayes walk up to you and say ‘great job, loving your coverage on 7, love what you’re bringing to it’, that’s the stuff of legends right there.” n
“to have people like David Hayes walk up to you and say ‘great job, loving your coverage’… that’s the stuff of legends right there.”
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Sophie Baker
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Trevor Marshallsea
At Chris Waller Racing, it's a matter of pride that in a sport once so male-dominated, there's a team of women playing a vital role in keeping the machine humming behind the scenes.
And up among the front-runners is a woman who’s eaten, slept and breathed racing and thoroughbreds most of her life, Sophie Baker.
She’s not only an expat Kiwi like her boss, the pair worked in their early days for the same man, only in surprisingly different roles. Baker, whose uncle and grandfather trained jumpers, worked in the Waverley stable of trainer Bill Thurlow. Her father Nigel Baker, also a keen racing enthusiast, is currently also the president of the Waverley Racing Club. A young Waller had also worked for Thurlow - though not in his stable but at his dairy farm.
Baker studied veterinary nursing at university, but with her true vocation tugging hard eventually turned her part-time stable work into her occupation.
In 2007 a mission to Oakbank, where her uncle Bob Baker’s gelding Blase won the Great Eastern Steeplechase, inspired her move across the Tasman, and after sojourns with a couple of stables she was hired by Waller in an administrative role. That position would soon grow with the stable and its increasing demands. In probably Australia’s busiest racing operation she has one of its busiest roles: executive assistant to the head man himself, while also looking after client and media relations. That’s the quick precis from Baker’s job description, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
It’s hard to believe now, but when she joined two days after Zoustar won the stable the 2013 Golden Rose, Waller didn’t have an executive assistant.
Back then, he had just the 80 boxes at Rosehill. Soon he opened a Flemington stable, and now Chris Waller Racing also incorporates operations at the Gold Coast, Warwick Farm and Mount Macedon, for some 250 boxes in total. This means Waller will spend at least four hours tethered to his computer most days, tending to his horses’ regiments on his intricate computer spreadsheets.
Official records show around 470 horses registered to the stable - not counting those yet without a name. There are also around 100 staff, 70 of whom are at home base Rosehill, where Waller has eight barns of 20 boxes.
“My work varies from day to day,” Baker tells us.
“I’m there as executive assistant to make Chris’s life easier, coordinating his day, arranging staff meetings, stable inspections, client lunches, media commitments, and adapting an everchanging schedule.”
Considering Waller has won the past 14 Sydney trainers’ premierships and 170 Group 1s, and has had horses such as Magic Millions’ most famous product Winx, to Nature Strip, Verry Elleegant, Via Sistina and many, many more, this must be very busy. There can’t be time for much else? ➤
“On Tuesdays I go to trackwork, and assist the team clocking horses and recording feedback from riders,” Baker says. “That’s something I really enjoy - hearing about how they’re working, their traits and their demeanours.
“But probably my favourite parts of the job are racedays - so Saturdays and most Wednesdays. I look after the owners, ensure they have an enjoyable experience regardless of the outcome, make sure they meet Chris and can speak with him and the jockey before and after the race, then helping with the celebrations or commiserations. Thankfully, we’ve had more of the former than the latter lately!”
The meticulous Waller - whose work ethic is so legendary even he says he’s intense - clearly needs someone to cram all of that into her working hours.
But wait, there’s even more.
“I oversee the spellers,” she says, “the breakers and the pre-trainers, when they’re out of the stable, and those coming back frorm injuries who are on specific rehab programs.
“So I make regular farm visits - that’s a part I really enjoy, being out of the office, going to the farms and seeing horses in another environment.
“And from that, I’ve become involved with our rehoming programs for our retired horses.”
Despite the vast size of the stable, it seems none are left behind.
“Whether it’s a Kolding, who won a Golden Eagle and nearly $7 million and is now in the eventing world, or a horse who never won a race, we’re very passionate about finding them new homes,” says Baker, a former avid hunt rider in New Zealand.
“Chris often says, ‘These horses have given us so much; we should give back to them’.
“We have Group 1 winners, who are easy to rehome. Then there are those who’ve had injuries or setbacks, which can take a little longer. We’ve also had horses who are slow, but you still want them to find great homes and enjoy a good life. They’ve all got great personalities, and they’ve been special to the stable in one way or another.”
And finally, you can also see Baker at the Magic Millions and other sales, helping Waller, his chief buyer Guy Mulcaster and clients. ➤
“Chris often says, ‘These horses have given us so much; we should give back to them’.
Waller has an equally individualistic approach to the two-legged members of his all-important team, says Baker, shattering any preconceptions that bigger means less personal.
“Chris is great to work for, very humble and down to earth, wears his heart on this sleeve, and is exactly how he comes across on the TV,” she says.
“He’s the first at the stable every morning. When the staff arrive, he walks through the barns and says hello to every staff member. He knows every single one of their names.
“He’s the first person to pat a strapper on the back or shake their hands after they’ve won a race. He deserves every accolade he gets. He works hard, and he handles the media well - as we saw with Winx, and when Via Sistina threw James McDonald off a few days before the Cox Plate.”
Baker doesn’t much think about the fact she’s a prominent woman in racing. Times have changed since the days when the likes of Pam O’Neil, Beverley Buckingham and Gai Waterhouse were known as trailblazers for the female cause.
But she is delighted to live in an era, and in a sport, where women work and compete with men on an equal footing. And there are many keeping the team running at CWR.
“I’m fortunate to often be seen at the races and sales - as well as being featured in this article,” says Baker, who counts her winning visit to Royal Ascot with Nature Strip as possibly the standout amongst her many highs at the stable.
“But there’s a number of great women involved behind the scenes.
“Clare Heuston has been in the stable a number of years. She not only looks after one of our barns but is also responsible for washing and ironing over 100 sets of colours on a regular basis, ensuring they are looking crisp for each meeting.
“Lizzie Collett is our Flemington assistant trainer, and our office manager Melissa Tyson has been with the stable for over 10 years. Analese Trollope
is a big part of coordinating daily trackwork and of course Stephanie Waller, Chris’s wife, is a big supporter of the entire team.”
A leaning towards the female touch, inspired by Baker, has also proven most lucrative for CWR, after some four years ago she became inspired by the Magic Millions’ Racing Women’s Bonus.
“I discussed with Chris the idea of putting together a ladies’ syndicate. Stephanie was also very supportive and very keen to be involved,” she says.
“Katie Page has been fantastic in promoting it, and I thought it was a great way to involve women in what is often known as a male-dominated sport.”
The move struck gold at the first attempt. Waller Racing and Mulcaster paid $150,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale for a yearling by No Nay Never.
As would be the case with all four of their MM Racing Women’s Bonus buys, she was a filly given a bubbly-sounding name, matched by silks with a champagne glass motif: Madame Pommery.
She would win the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, $867,000 in prize money, and then be sold for $2.7 million at the MM National Broodmare Sale of 2024.
“It’s been amazing,” Baker says. “Our Racing Women’s Bonus horses have seen a number of women become more passionate about racing, sometimes even more so than their husbands.
“We’ve had about 40 women involved, there’s WhatsApp groups with great banter and lots of fun. As Christine Cook - who’s a big supporter of the women’s syndicates that we’ve put together - said, ‘Women used to go to the races as the handbags; now, they’re just as important and just as involved as the men’.”
After such success through its 12 years of operation, the bonus scheme has put women very much front and centre in our game - much like Baker herself. n
It’s been amazing. Our Racing Women’s Bonus horses have seen a number of women become more passionate about racing, sometimes even more so than their husbands.”
IT’S ASign
by Jessica Owers
Behind every event at the Magic Millions carnival is signage, and behind the signage is the Gold Coast-based ABS Signs. Jessica Owers goes behind the scenes of one of the carnival’s most critical components.
Each January, it takes more than thoroughbreds to make a Magic Millions carnival. Think advertising, marketing and promotional signage. From the polo and the races to the Ascot Court sale ring, each of the Magic Millions events is decorated with the fruits of careful branding.
But have you ever wondered about the guy that makes it happen, the man who hangs the signs, mounts the flags and prints the banners? If over half of first impressions in branding are visual, then this guy is important.
Meet Mark Pogson, owner of the locally based ABS Signs. He’s a family guy – wife Kate, three kids, a nice home in Ormeau – and he’s a cog in the carnival wheel from November to late January. Since 2006, when he bought ABS Signs, he has had the signage contract for the Magic Millions carnival. It means everything from the racecourse archway to the owners’ placards at the barrier draw, from the street flags to the sponsors’ banners on the beach.
“It’s our biggest job of the year without a doubt, and it’s such a short space of time too,” Pogson says. “There are the events themselves, but there is so much to do leading up to them. It takes a full week to set up at the racetrack for example, and that’s in the middle of everything else that is going on.”
ABS Signs has a full-time crew of five, but the payroll can swell to 12 in January. Wife Kate works full-time in the business, along with general
manager and “working wife” Meghan Purton, who has been at ABS Signs for over 13 years. The guys that come in annually as subcontractors have been coming back for 10 and more years, a testament to how much they enjoy the job.
“They all do different things,” Pogson says. “Some are carpenters, some are graphic designers, but they all come back for the racing carnival because it’s such a good experience. And because there are so many different things going on, we’re all handling different parts of the job.”
In an event the size of Magic Millions, sponsorship and branding are critical. The success of the events hangs on sponsor support, and if a sign can go here or a flag there, or a rooftop banner can make use of the helicopters overhead, ABS Signs will make it happen. After each carnival, Magic Millions reviews all of the footage to see where an opportunity might exist for the following year, and Pogson works with that. He has come to know what Magic Millions expects.
“We kick off in November with the auditorium signage, working out who is a current sponsor, who is dropping off and who is coming in. They might change the prizemoney for Women In Racing, so we might need to change that banner. We’ve got the Race Series banner which needs to have the winners updated, so we redo that skin, and then we start going to all the barns with those past winners because that signage changes every year. And then there are all the events, and those can be at the casino, at the polo fields, at the beach and at the racecourse.” ➤
Mark Pogson
The Tuesday barrier draw, with its beach gallops, is one of the trickiest events for ABS Signs. At 3am on the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise, too late for the club crowd and too early for the gym junkies, Pogson is there with his crew. They have just three hours before the street is full, the broadcasts begin and the horses are on the sand, and, if they’re lucky, the weather co-operates. If they’re not, it can be a hell of a morning.
“The barrier draw,” and Pogson laughs. “Let’s just say it’s not the ideal time for the majority of the guys to be waking up.”
There have been years when the ABS crew has had to move 150 metres of beach railing with just minutes to spare. They’ve been chased off the beach, they’ve had rain, high winds and high summer, and yet the Tuesday dawn event is one of their best of the job. It’s fast and exciting and the television coverage excellent, so the signage needs to be on-point.
“It’s something really different for us and it’s really enjoyable. The barrier draw is probably one of the reasons why we have the same guys coming back as subcontractors every year.”
From A-frame ‘Toblerone’ signs to clear acrylic flapping from the top of The Darling, ABS Signs does them all for Magic Millions. On-hand are the tools of the trade… concrete blocks, hooks, rigging and zip ties by the hundreds.
‘With all the outside signage, and I’m a chippy by trade, making sure it stays up in the wind is critical,” Pogson says. “To this day, touch wood, we haven’t had one fall down, and we’ve had some wicked winds during that barrier draw on the beach. But we build for those strong winds so that Magic Millions can get through the event without a piece flapping around and causing injuries.”
For the rest of the year, Pogson doesn’t need to account for equine safety. It’s one of the unusual characteristics of the Magic Millions contract. One of the further challenges is the January timing of the carnival.
“It’s hard family-wise, but probably the hardest part is that the suppliers start shutting anywhere from one week ahead of Christmas to two
weeks for some of them. If we can’t purchase the materials for these jobs, it becomes really difficult. We’ll pre-empt things a bit and buy extra corflute or metal sheeting, but sometimes the only good thing is that Bunnings is open every day bar Christmas Day for all the screws and timber, that sort of thing.”
Printing 50 metres of signage overnight has become part of this job for Pogson. Sponsors can come in and out at a moment’s notice, and artwork can be late, printers can go wrong and staff can be sick. Sometimes, they deliver by the skin of their teeth, but there’s a reason why Magic Millions has worked with ABS Signs for 18 years.
“Sponsor relationships are so important and it’s why we have this business,” Pogson says.
“Everyone, at the end of the day, needs to advertise. Magic Millions capitalises massively on promoting all its sponsors and they’re really good at it, and that’s why they get so many of those big names.
“If you look at the Melbourne Cup, it’s very pretty and very heritage, but we’re a different culture up here. It’s bright, it’s bubbly and we’re out in the sunshine, and it’s why Magic Millions is such a different carnival to promote.”
Of all the jobs in the contract, Pogson’s favourite is perfecting the horseshoe archway at the Gold Coast Turf Club. The current one has been brought out and facelifted every year for the last 14 years, and it is iconic. The fact that so much of the Magic Millions signage is reused each year is a point of pride for Pogson who says that the signage business, using mostly plastics, struggles with environmental responsibility.
“So much signage just gets binned at the end of an event, so if we can reuse some of it, that’s our way of doing our bit,” he says. “Some of those Magic Millions signs are used again and again, some of them for up to 10 years.”
Branding is a careful business. Some years ago, a survey of 1000 people discovered that over 70 per cent of respondents believed good signage to be more important than social media. It’s why Mark Pogson has a business, and why that business, ABS Signs, is fundamental to Magic Millions every January. n
“…we’re a different culture up here. It’s bright, it’s bubbly and we’re out in the sunshine, and it’s why Magic Millions is such a different carnival to promote.”
Tom Magnier & David Ellis
Neil Douglas & James Bester
JD & Ben Hayes & Grace Ramage
Chris Lawler
Clem Murphy & Mick Flanagan
James Cummings & Cathryn Carson
James, Jock & Andrew Ferguson
Edwina & Scott Darby & Mark Holland
Ben Gleeson & John Galvin
Adam & Dean Watt
Chris Meagher & James Tzaferis
Lot 900 Buyers
Julia-Rose Hayes, Clare Hawkes, Karyn Fenton-Ellis & Denise Elstob
Will Freedman
Allan Frogley
Hannah Wall Tony Bott
Matt Laurie Clayton Douglas
Matt Houldsworth, Michael Smith, Mr & Mrs Teo
Dean Harvey David Vandyke
Amber & Olly Tait
John Camilleri & Peter O’Brien
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
David Chester, Neville Parnham, Graham Daws, Duran Carter & Kerry & Peter Caporn
Sam Fairgray & Vin Cox
Brad Spicer & Tony Gollan
Dean Hawkes, Austy & Harry Coffey
Clarry Conners
Wayne, John & Michael Hawkes
Wayne Bedggood & Bruce Neill
Graham & Linda Huddy
Sarah & Matt Cumani
Paul & John Messara
Bert & Gai Vieira
Colm Santry
Cherie & Lee Curtis
Mat Becker
Peter Ford, Robbie & Shiranee Griffiths, Mathew De Kock & Corey Smith
Harry Mitchell
Arthur Mitchell
Sheamus Mills Chris Watson
Wylie Dalziel Mark Player
Shane Wright
Toby Liston
Verna Metcalfe
Adrian Hancock
Justin Fung
Hubie de Burgh
Brian & Anna Nutt
Dr Sahu & Bryan Carlson
Emma & Luke Wilkinson
Colin & Janice McKenna
Barry Bowditch & Troy Corstens
Catheryne Bruggeman & Paul Moroney
Peter & Paul Snowden
Bevan Smith
David Azzopardi & Lenny Russo
Billy Slater
Merrick Staunton Matt Smith
Elaine Lawlor & Jessica Harrington
Michael Moran Brett Howard
Gerry Harvey
Duncan Ramage Desleigh Forster
Greg Nash Greg Eurell
Rohan Hughes
Ron Wanless
Stuart Kendrick Stuart Ramsey
Ben Au, David Lui, Nick Vass & Mark Newnham
Mick Price, Dermot Farrington & Michael Kent Jnr
Annie O’Rourke & Dane Robinson
Daiki Chujo & Takahiro Bito
Ben Foote & Jamie Beatson
Caroline & John Moore
Amy Feng, Gu Jia & Livia Wang
Bruce & Rebecca Perry
Phil Wells & Nathan Bennett
Dom Sutton & Johnny McKeever
Michael Christian
David Henderson & Luke Henderson
Gary Diamond & Jimmy Unwala
Ben Vassallo
MV Magnier
Henry Plumptre
Mark Chittick
Michael Sissian
Glenn Burrows
Gary Portelli
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Jeff Simpson & Allan Endresz
Asha Jolly & David Jolly
Rob Archibald & Annabel Neasham
Jamie Lovett & Luke Murrell
Jamie Walter, Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted
John Muir Alan Bell
Jessica & Jennifer Acton
Hou Bo Chan, Manfred Man, Nicky Wong & Willie Leung
Gavin Murphy, Matthew Sandblom, Dan Cobby, Henry Field, Tom Ryan, Leanna Packard & Wilf Mula
Kelly Schweida Lloyd Kennewell
Gerry O’Toole, Chris Munce & Arthur Hoyeau
Angus, Scott & Harry McAlpine
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Graeme & Bart McCulloch
Brett Cavanough
Brendan Lindsay
Mike Fleming
Nick Williams
Shane Nichols Ryan Hill
Steve Grant & Ken Lowe
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Jake, Tony & Tom Noonan
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Jason & Kate Warren
Andrew Bobbin & Andrew Williams
Allison Sedgwick
James & Bill Mitchell
Alberto & Ana Figueiredo
Louis Le Metayer
John O’Neill & Manny Gelagotis
John Jeffs & Max Whitby
Brad Widdup
Billy Healey
Cameron Bennett David Redvers
Dean Hawthorne
Tim Stakemire & Michael Kirwan
Gai Waterhouse, Noel & Maria Greenhalgh
Andy Lau
Lady Carolyn & John Warren
YP Cheng & Kenny Man
Kris Lees & Justin Bahen
Shunsuke & Mayumi Yoshida & family
John Sargent
Josh Hutchins & Craig Rounsefell
Jeremy Rogers
Joseph Choi & Peter Ng
Kerrin, Phillip & Tommy Stokes
Justin, Wally & Madeleine Daly
Matt Harrington, Rob Anderson & Danny O’Brien
Jes Sikura John North
Jo Griffin
John O’Shea
Kellie & Cameron Bond & Letitia Langbecker
Michael & Robert Hickmott
Mike Moroney & Stephen O’Connor
Mick Malone
Ricky Surace
Peter Watson
Ashleigh Dowley & Rochelle Adams
Melanie O’Gorman
Suman Hedge, Ryan McEvoy & Anthony Mithen
Judy Cain & Nick Ryan
Adam Sangster & Will Rowsthorn
Justin & Vivian Li & Patrick Lee
Maree McEwan & John Foote
Joe O’Neill
Bjorn Baker & Jim Clarke
Kathryn Wood-Enriquez & Oliver Enriquez
John McArdle
Brian & Brooke Siemsen & family
Mitch & Gary Cunningham
Louis Mihalyka & Ian Mathieson
Jamie Bayliss
John Kelly
Neil Jenkinson & Mitch Lowe
Archie Alexander Anthony Freedman
Tim Brown, Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
Susie & Grahame Begg
Tim Wilson & Ashleigh Dowley
Anne Kernke & Jane Koch
Padraig Kelly & Debbie Kepitis
Peter & Sam Orton
Peter Carrick & Matt Scown
Ricky Yiu & Kin Yan Lau
Peter & Pattie Tighe
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Sean Driver & George Sexton
Sam Manion, Chris & Michael Ward
Rod Schick & Sam Williams
Julia Ritchie
Bob Rose
Rob Heathcote & Michael Vincent
Rob Norton & Deb Suss
Sarah Ryan & King Cheng
Sally Williams, Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
Neil Werrett & Lena Attebo
Dave Mee Brian McGuire
Peter Walsh Peter Liston
Will Bourne Tony McEvoy
Richard Freedman
Rob & June Harding
Paul Willetts, Mary Lee Trivett & Cameron Ring
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Made in Rural Australia
www.milburncreek.com.au/sales | info@milburncreek.com.au
“I love the way when he (Tremonti, 2-year-old colt) was beaten, he just came again and showed such tenacity. I love that with a horse.” - Gai Waterhouse AO
Bought by Darby Racing
HELLBENT HELLBENT TREMONTI
Winners to runners this season - second highest on the General Sires’ table. %
*at time of print 3 November
Stakes winners in all four crops of racing age, including two G1 winners from his first crop: Benedetta and Magic Time.
PASSION MEETS PLATE AT NOBBY’S NEWEST HOTSPOT
BAR & GRILL
By Bianca Trathen
The Gold Coast’s dining scene just received a major glow-up with the arrival of Lars Bar & Grill, nestled in Nobby Beach’s buzzing Oxley 1823 precinct.
Officially opening its doors in August, this new ‘it girl’ eats and sips spot specialises in fine modern Australian cuisine, with woodfired steaks and fresh seafood taking centre stage. Helmed by owner, head chef and culinary powerhouse, Lars Kollrepp, it’s the new kid on the block everybody is talking about - and for all the right reasons.
Lars, the son of Gold Coast hospitality legend Marty Kollrepp of Oskars on Burleigh fame, is certainly no stranger to the restaurant caper. He brings over 20 years of experience, including his tenure as Executive Chef at some of Simon Gloftis' most celebrated Sunshine-state based establishments, like Fish House, Nineteen at The Star, SK Steak & Oyster, Sunshine and Sushi Room, and Hellenika. Combining his fine dining expertise with a dream to open his very own restaurant, Lars’ menu celebrates the very best local Queensland produce and delivers clean, simple flavours executed to perfection.
Flexing the famous Kollrepp foodie pedigree, his vision was to bring a city-style dining experience to the laid-back atmosphere of the Gold Coast. Cue the applause because he’s done precisely that, creating a neighbourhood spot where locals and visitors feel right at home while indulging in a meticulously crafted high-end meal.
Steak lovers will enjoy plenty of ‘chef’s kiss’ moments, thanks to the custom woodfire grill and in-house dry-aged cool room. Highlights include titillatingly tender 1kg Dry-Aged T-Bone Stockyard Black Angus and the 400g Stockyard New York Strip Wagyu, both flavoursome and
Instagrammable in equal measure. If seafood is more your style, an early fan favourite is the PanFried Knobby Snapper, drizzled with golden burnt butter, tangy capers, and a zesty lemon kick.
Not to be outdone, the snacks and starters section offers decadent treats like hand-picked crab rosti. Pair your dish with the signature Dragonfruit Martini or choose from the carefully curated wine list, designed to complement the robust flavours of the menu.
Lars Bar & Grill’s sophisticated yet simple design was brought to life by Dankav, BDA, and interior stylist Nachaya Kollrepp. The result is a stunning and sophisticated space, merging classic elegance with a warm, welcoming feel. Indoors, it’s all about modern minimalism and a friendly, inviting ambience, ideal for those who appreciate refined simplicity without the pretentious undertones. Outdoors, sun-seeking patrons can set up shop, soaking up the iconic Mermaid Beach relaxedmeets-cool vibes, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the ocean. And for anyone looking to host an event, do-or-die business meeting or any special occasion, the intimate private dining room is contemporary yet timeless.
With its prime location and five-star fare, Lars Bar & Grill serves up an unforgettable premium dining experience, wrapped in warm hospitality and guaranteed good vibes. So, whether you're a Gold Coast local or just passing through, let Lars do what Lars does best; dazzle your palette and elevate your dining game to a whole new level of flavour and flair. n
SOCIALS raceday
SOCIALS raceday
Pacific Fair fashions on the field
A HUGE MILESTONE FOR The Star Gold Coast
The Gold Coast skyline is set to shine brighter than ever with the addition of Epsilon Tower 2 at The Star Gold Coast, a monumental addition to Broadbeach Island, due to open the first quarter of 2025.
This impressive new tower not only expands The Star Residences apartment offering but also introduces the exciting arrival of the Hyatt’s boutique luxury brand Andaz, marking its debut in Australia.
With the completion of Tower 2, The Star Gold Coast will offer over 2,000 rooms across the island, including The Star Grand, The Darling, The Star Residences, Dorsett Gold Coast, and the soon-to-open Andaz Gold Coast. This milestone underscores the precinct's position as one of the most diverse and exciting accommodation hubs in Australia.
Unparalleled Coastal Living
Nestled in the sun-soaked Broadbeach, The Star Residences represents the perfect accommodation option for those seeking a Gold Coast escape, whether for business or pleasure. With a stunning mix of apartment-style living, the offering is nothing short of breathtaking, offering bright and airy rooms and spectacular views.
The residential component within the top 43 levels of Tower 2 offers short stays, long-term letting and permanent residency, with guests and residents enjoying the best of both worlds: the independence of home-style living combined with an expansive entertainment and leisure precinct at their doorstep. Whilst guests of The Star Residences not only have access to exclusive recreation levels, they can also indulge in the best The Star Gold Coast has to offer, whether lounging poolside at Isoletto pool club or accessing the indulgent amenities at Azure Spa and Fitness.
For families and groups, The Star Residences are ideal, with 1, 2 and 3-bedroom, fully equipped apartments offering the perfect blend of comfort and luxury. Whether you're a family looking for a long-term holiday destination or a business traveller needing a base for an extended stay, The Star Residences is the ideal destination.
A Growing Hub for Business and Leisure Travelers
Corporate travellers can make the most of apartments with study areas and private meeting spaces while the proximity to the coastline makes it easy to balance work with relaxation. Need to entertain clients? Choose from five signature restaurants, Kiyomi, Uncle Su, Nineteen at The Star or Cucina Vivo or the more relaxed Harvest Buffet, Garden Kitchen & Bar, M&G Café or Mei Wei Dumplings.
The Star Residences— with Tower 1 and Tower 2 offering close to 900 apartments across both towers—positions it as a major player in accommodating large-scale business events. With the Gold Coast quickly becoming a preferred destination for conferences, movie productions, and business delegations, The Star Residences has become a key hub for both short- and longterm visitors.
Andaz Gold Coast: Hyatt's Iconic Arrival
Adding to the excitement is the highly anticipated opening of Andaz—the boutique luxury brand from Hyatt known for its vibrant, locally-inspired experiences. The Andaz Gold Coast will bring a unique blend of sophistication and relaxed coastal vibes, reflecting the very essence of this famous beachside destination. An expansive outdoor pool deck on level 6, overlooking Broadbeach, will feature a cocktail bar, beach club with private cabanas and al fresco dining and three food and beverage outlets.
As the Gold Coast continues to rise in popularity as a global destination for both leisure and business, the opening of The Star Residences Tower 2 is a significant step in offering visitors and residents alike an elevated way to enjoy everything the region has to offer. With the arrival of Andaz by Hyatt, a dynamic and immersive experience awaits those ready to indulge in the ultimate coastal lifestyle. n
Studying Equine Business Management at Marcus helped put Kate on the right track.
For over 40 years, Marcus Oldham’s Equine Business Management program has been producing future leaders and professionals for the racing, breeding and equestrian industries.
Developed in close consultation with industry, the one-year accelerated program equips graduates with the practical skills and business knowledge necessary to excel in the equine industries.
To learn more about the program and study options for 2025/2026, call (03) 5247 2911 or visit marcusoldham.vic.edu.au/equine today.
Kate Austin - Marcus Graduate
Bloodstock and Client Relations
Ciaron Maher Racing
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PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL
Scott Burgess
CEO
Ray White Robina
Grant Burgess
Ray White Robina
Steve Mutton
Ray White Robina
PICK OF
We asked our photographers to submit their favourite Magic Millions related images and here are the standouts.
“Choosing an all time favourite Magic Millions related photograph is very difficult. Tempting as it was to select a Winx or Imperatriz photo, I settled on an image I took during the 2018 Beach Run. It’s always a busy, crowded event with many photographers and officials the length of the beach and the weather conditions are rarely easy. This particular year my brief was capturing the field ‘head on’. The group of horses was a nice size and Hugh Bowman, who led the charge, came directly towards me, straight as an arrow. It was so fantastic. We actually liked this image better than any of the ones where he was carrying the Commonwealth Game’s Baton, and it’s a quintessentially Hugh salute. Ps - thanks Hugh for riding such a fabulous straight line, so cool! It was before the rules changed as we now have to stand miles away. I always get a bit of a buzz seeing it adorning the many flags along the beach Esplanade as well as along the main highway. The image also ran on the front cover of the 2019 MM Magazine”.
Bronwen Healy, The Image is Everything
“Winx ridden by Hugh Bowman crossing the finish line to win their 25th consecutive race (18 Group 1s) in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick Sydney on 14 April 2018.
The image has captured the mare in a balanced stride, Bowman celebrating with the usual fist pump. Maybe not one his more exuberant salutes. What makes this image standout from many of the under the rails shots captured is the light, beautifully rimming the outline of horse and jockey as they record yet another.
There is an element of luck (or good planning) I’m not sure which. So often the finish can be right on top of your remote camera and out of focus, the light conditions can be unfavourable - especially with many of the feature races being so late in the day.
On this occasion Winx and Bowman rode in the near perfect spot. The light is exquisite, the image is sharp, the stride of the horse is balanced and Bowman complements all these factors with a modest celebration. PS let’s not forget the grandstand is full with many punters standing and applauding the champion mare.”
Darren Tindale, The Image is Everything
“I’ve always liked this photo for something different, makes a nice change from the usual race finish photos of my day-to-day work. It’s from the 1st ever afternoon sales day session at the new Swan Valley sales complex, before the auditorium was built. I had no idea how the lighting as going to work so was just moving around trying different things, and then fluked this one. Being trying to get something similar ever since with no luck haha! “
Simon Merritt, Western Racepix
“It’s actually impossible to pinpoint a favourite sale-related photo after 15 years photographing at Magic Millions; where do you even start with (literally) a million+ photos? There are so many standout and million dollar-plus horses, every sale generates so much emotion both in the lead-up, when the gavel comes down, and when those horses hit the track, and there are endless stories you’re chasing with your lens concerning both people and thoroughbreds. So I had to stand back and say ‘what actually makes this sale unique for me as a photographer and what is the first thing I think about when I think of January and May. That iconic Gold Coast skyline and the weather was what came to mind’.”
Katrina Partridge
Before the barrier draw commences the horses are brought down to the shoreline to get used to their surroundings. If the weather is nice then we get incredible sunrises which is a photographer’s dream. Seeing the horses getting used to the waves and then relaxing and enjoying themselves is why this image is one of my favourites.
Sarah Ebbett
“It was my very first MM raceday for me and I was looking for a spot and an angle away from everyone else and I landed in this area where there is a moment where horses would go through this big MM sign. I particularly like this one because it shows that Storm Boy was far in front of the others enough that he’s the only one in the subframe of the sign and in a good stride.”
Makoto Kaneko, The Rising Sun Photography
“This image depicts the emotions of the connections of every horse who go through the sales ring at Magic Millions. It shows the love, dedication and passion involved in being a part of the horse from the beginning of their life until they move on to their next big chapter. In this picture Sunlight had just broken the all-time highest Sale record for a mare at Magic Millions and Sarah Rutten was there for every step of her journey.’’
Michael McInally
“As the sun sets on the racing career of one of our greatest ever turf champions, this image of the great Winx, after her final race, the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, being given hero status by the tens
of thousands of adoring fans packing the Randwick grandstand, symbolizes what a great horse does for the Racing Industry and how she won the hearts of all who were present that day”
Bruno Cannatelli, Ultimate Racing Photos
“The morning after Winx’s 3rd Cox Plate. I knew the “money shot” was Winx and the city skyline, but I had to venture out way too deep to be on the other side of her, especially for a 5 foot nothing photographer, so it was on tippy toes, trying not to drown myself or the camera.
We survived, but my car keys in my pocket didn’t, which resulted in being towed home 93kms to get my spare key! But hey, I got the shot and it remains one of my most treasured photos.”
Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography
VOBIS SIRES STALLIONS 2023 YEARLINGS
2023 Yearlings by VOBIS Sires stallions are eligible for VOBIS Platinum, with over $30 million ^ in VOBIS prizemoney, bonuses and vouchers on offer.
STALLION
Alabama Express
Anacheeva
Blue Point (IRE)
Boulder City
Brazen Beau
Cluster
Crackerjack King (IRE)
De Gaulle
Delaware (GB)
Dirty Work
Doubtland
Earthlight (IRE)
Endless Drama (IRE)
Extreme Warrior
Fierce Impact (JPN)
Finance Tycoon
Fiorente (IRE)
Foxwedge
Frosted (USA)
Ghaiyyath (IRE)
Giant's Steps
Gold Standard
STALLION
Grunt (NZ)
Hanseatic
Highland Reel (IRE)
I Am Immortal
Ilovethiscity
Impending
Jungle Ruler
Kermadec (NZ)
Last Typhoon
Lucky Vega (IRE)
Magnus
National Defense (GB)
Nicconi
Overshare
Palentino
Prince of Caviar
Puissance De Lune (IRE)
Redente
Rich Enuff
Ringerdingding
Royal Meeting (IRE)
Royal Symphony
STALLION
Rubick
Russian Camelot (IRE)
Shamus Award
Skilled
Star Craft (NZ)
Star Witness
Strasbourg
Tagaloa
Thronum
Toronado (Ire)
Tosen Stardom (JPN)
Trust In A Gust
Vancouver
Von Costa De Hero
Wandjina
Warhorse
Wayed Zain
Wolf Cry
Wooded (IRE)
Written Tycoon
Yulong Prince (SAF)
RIDGMONT Takes Off
By Glen Latham
Swapping the security of an ‘office’ flying at 30,000 feet and the bustling lifestyle of Hong Kong for the Hunter Valley and lush paddocks replete with mares and gambolling foals sounds very much like a quantum leap fraught with peril. But for Ridgmont’s Mitch Cunningham, wife Stephanie and their four children, their question is ‘why didn’t we do it earlier?’
Brisbane born, Cunningham has seen a lot of the world, and that was even before he graduated as a pilot with Cathay Pacific at just 23 years of age. His father Gary, a small stakes punter with a love for hunting down a winner, had business interests in the US and one of Mitch’s fondest memories is his mother Lorilie lighting up the local racecourse. “Having moved to Tennessee in the early 90s, I have vivid memories of the Steeplechase held there once a year, and of my mum dancing on top of the cars as the horses passed, which, if you know her, isn't much of a surprise. I guess it was at an early age I realised just how much fun the industry is, and equally the effect horses can have on the collective mood.”
Back in Brisbane and having finished school, Mitch took a year out to travel Europe before enrolling in a Degree in Aviation at Griffith University, then finding his way to Cathay’s headquarters. “A lot of the airlines have cadet programmes, run sort of like Darley Flying Start, taking in people from around the world. It's great to get onto because those selected avoid paying the huge cost of flight training and university. I got into the cadet programme with Cathay and that fast tracked my way into the airline allowing me to jump a few hurdles pretty quickly - I was a 747 pilot at 23. I wouldn't say that I was a lifelong aviation enthusiast or had a great deal of passion for that industry, but I found myself in a really interesting job pretty quickly and certainly enjoyed my time flying. I was flying for just shy of 11 years and flew the 747 for five of those before progressing to the 777 for six years. By the time I left I was a Senior
First Officer and Relief Captain on the 777-300ER.”
Then came that leap from a career behind a console to running a progressive Hunter Valley stud. So just how did that all come about? “In about 2017 Dad and I were discussing doing something in the industry and early conversations were around buying a few broodmares and agisting them somewhere, along with selling a few yearlings and racing a few fillies. Very quickly, this conversation snowballed into a far more ambitious model, which would necessitate my resigning from Cathay Pacific and moving back to Australia, which I did in early 2018. I spent the next 6 months with my ears pinned back, meeting with as many industry participants as I could as well as leveraging my existing racing contacts in order to grow our network.”
“I had decided that the business was going to be two pronged - racing and breeding, but significantly biased towards breeding with racing being the hobby/feeder system into our broodmare band. We would predominantly buy fillies with strong pedigrees and put them in the right stables, and if that all works out then hopefully they'll form part of a growing broodmare band. That then quickly morphed into “well if we're going to be doing this at the scale we're talking about, then why not buy a farm?”. Through existing connections it became apparent that the old Glastonbury Farm was for sale which we bought and renamed Ridgmont. Soon after we bought a neighbouring lucerne property which gave us close to 500 acres in total and a bit of a blank canvas.” ➤
For the first few years Mitch was happy to share his time between Brisbane and Segenhoe Road, but eventually the point came when the realities of running a business an eight hour drive from home caught up. “The transition to the Hunter Valley was a necessary one for us and for the family, especially given my lofty aspirations for the farm. Stef and I quickly realised we needed to be immersed in the day to day at Ridgmont and that any meaningful growth wasn't achievable at arm’s length. Logistically that was going to be difficult with the kids at school, but we both knew that we were ready to move and that the kids were of that age where these sort of things are seen as adventures rather than inconveniences for them. But in all sincerity, it's been the best decision of our lives and for us it's not just a business venture, it's equally a lifestyle decision for the whole family and one we're deeply appreciative of now.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by Stef when asked if rural life agreed with her and the family. “Absolutely! It's a much slower pace and it's been great for the whole family. I feel like we're not supposed to have quite as much structure as we had when we were in a bigger city. There were always so many activities after school, things you had to be at and lunches you had to go to that would divide the adults from the kid’s stuff. And now we don't have as much of that, so we just have a lot of family time which is great.” Making up the latest generation of the Cunningham clan is Uma, 9 and Sol 8 who were born in Hong Kong, and five-year-old Yael and Leni who is 2, both of whom were born in Australia.
That lifestyle decision Mitch spoke of means at any time he can step out of the office to take in the surroundings and fresh air which isn’t advisable from a Boeing 777 at cruising altitude.
“The horses have a medicinal effect on you and just being surrounded by them every day, and to be able to raise kids in this environment, is something that fills me with a lot of gratitude. The life that they're afforded down here is something that you can only really dream of when you're planning how you're going to raise your kids. We're incredibly fortunate that the network's
really strong down here and the people fantastic, so the adjustment’s been nothing but positive for us and I can't see any reason why that would change.”
Of course Mitch wasn’t as reckless as to think Ridgmont’s goals could be achieved without expert assistance so he called in a fellow Queenslander for advice. “In 2022 we upped our investment significantly and that was when I brought Jim Clarke into the fold. Jim and his young family had just moved back from the UK, where he worked for Godolphin under John Ferguson, and set up his own agency. He actually went to school just up the road from me and we finished the same year, so we got in touch and quickly became very good mates. What I was looking for in an agent was somebody who I could trust, but also was at a similar stage in their career as I was. That way you share the aspiration of success together, which, I guess, is a pretty unique partnership. Most agents don't have the time to provide the service which I was after, but Jim was able to do so. He’s an incredibly clever, capable fellow but at that time he didn't have the runs on the board as an agent. We speak multiple times a day and work very closely together and I recently brought Jim on as Director of Bloodstock for Ridgmont to help us get to where we want to get to, and he’ll be instrumental in achieving that.”
In chatting with Jim it is clear that aspirational success has greatly benefitted both Ridgmont and Clarke Bloodstock. “It's been incredible for me, professionally working with Mitch and his family; they're fantastic people. They've got into the game in a big way, but they've gone about it the right way as well. Mitch has learnt a lot about the industry and horses in a short space of time and it's been a real privilege being able to work alongside him since he started.”
And just how has the Director of Bloodstock role differed from the working relationship at conception? “I was involved with the Cunningham family in the early days when they started investing in yearlings and breeding stock. Then about twelve months ago Mitch asked me to take on a broader role with Ridgmont, advising ➤
“The horses have a medicinal effect on you and just being surrounded by them every day, and to be able to raise kids in this environment is something that fills me with a lot of gratitude.”
Storm Boy, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic presentation
Mitch Cunningham & Jim Clark
Stefi Magnetica, BTC Stradbroke G1
Storm Boy, The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic
“If the adage ‘you make your own luck holds true’ then Mitch and Stef certainly seem to have made it by moving to the Hunter.”
them on the management of their own bloodstock portfolio but also assisting with the broader Ridgmont business in terms of sales placements, assisting with helping sell horses at the sales and reporting on all stock on the farm. That covered not just Ridgmont owned stock but also the horses owned by clients at the farm as well. I've been doing that for close to 12 months now.”
So what might Ridgmont aspire to in the future? Jim explained “I think at the moment the main objective is to develop Ridgmont into the premier broodmare farm in the country and there are aspirations for it to be a sort of industry-leading agistment/consignment business. That's really the focus, certainly in the short to medium term. Ridgmont have invested significantly to develop their own broodmare band, but alongside that we've been working hard to recruit permanent broodmares to the farm from other clients, and try and recruit people that are investing at the same level in the industry as what the Cunningham family are.”
From being relatively unknown twelve months ago, Ridgmont’s blue, yellow sash, sleeves and cap are now instantly recognisable, first from the deeds of Storm Boy and then Stefi Magnetica who, in a feat not previously achieved by any owner, between them claimed the twin peaks of Queensland racing, the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. For Mitch and the family it was an electric start for their venture. “2024 has been extraordinary for us. I don't think we could have ever expected to have gotten the outcomes we've had this year, but I must say that we are certainly in this game to be playing at that level, so when we buy we're always thinking where is this horse going to end up and what sort of style of filly or colt is this? We’re very well researched and deliberate in
the buying of our racehorses, but, as you know, there's an extraordinary amount of luck in this game and so for it to come to fruition was just so exciting for us.”
“Storm Boy at Magic Millions was such a thrill for us all and the story behind him is so interesting, he’s been such an exciting horse for connections”, said Mitch. “Stefi has been more of a surprise packet, but equally as thrilling. I think Storm Boy was very good from day dot whereas Stefi has progressed so rapidly over the last year from prep to prep - she just keeps getting better and better. If you had asked me six months ago would she be running in a Stradbroke let alone winning, I would have probably choked on my cereal. It's been a great year for Ridgmont but we know to enjoy these periods while you've got them because obviously they're pretty rare.”
As an agent getting one outstanding result in any year is an achievement, to get two in six months, particularly the two most prestigious races in your home state, was an exciting start for the partnership, as Jim explained. “Yes it's been an amazing year on the racetrack for all of us. To have the Magic Millions and the Stradbroke won in those colours was pretty well the culmination of everything that Mitch and his family has been trying to achieve since they started investing in a big way a few years ago. For it to happen as quickly as it has is amazing and I think it's fuelled the appetite for them to continue to be a major force in the industry.”
At the risk of sounding extremely corny one could say Ridgmont’s entry into the industry has been jet propelled in more ways than one, but behind it all lies the farm, the most perfect setting and community for Mitch and Stephanie to raise their own brood. If the adage ‘you make your own luck holds true’ then Mitch and Stef certainly seem to have made it by moving to the Hunter. n
Too Darn
FAST
by Kristen Manning
Arabian Summer might be small, in fact it is the first thing mentioned by everyone associated with the filly who around the sales company's office is known as “the Magic Millions pin-up girl,” but here's the thing... she doesn't know it.
She doesn't act like her rivals have any advantage on her and she sure doesn't race like it; her three wins and two seconds from her first six starts testament to that.
Her lack of stature didn't hold her back as a foal, nor as a yearling when she made her way through Book 2 as lot 1167 on Monday January 16, 2023. Amongst the last 100 selling in a big week, she may not have been the largest and flashiest of the yearlings on offer but there were a number of good judges on the daughter of the highly regarded young stallion Too Darn Hot.
Including the Tony & Calvin McEvoy stable with the latter leading his father over to see the diminutive but still impressive filly.
With Book 1 of the Magic Millions sale offering plenty of choices, it has not been often that the McEvoys have inspected horses in Book 2.
"There are always so many horses, we've just never really had the need," Calvin said, noting that they have always been able to fill their orders in the first days of the sale.
But 2023 was a little different with Coolmore Stud's Racing and Bloodstock Manager John Kennedy getting into Calvin's ear.
A MUCH APPRECIATED TIP-OFF
"He said he had a tip-off for me, that Coolmore had a lovely filly in Book 2 who I ought to have a look at."
Calvin admits to being a little unconvinced but he agreed to have a look, making his way over to the filly's stall.
"And I'm glad I did!"
For what he saw he liked straight away, the
member of the first Australian crop of Dubawi's multiple Group 1 winning son Too Darn Hot immediately catching the eye.
"This was a filly with a great walk, something which is really important to us, and powerful hindquarters. She walked with a lot of purpose and ticked all the boxes."
"The only slight issue was that she was on the small side," he recalled.
John Kennedy remembers the day well, having always been a fan of the filly who was a late entry for the sale.
"We were tossing up whether to sell her in January or wait for a later sale but we decided with Tim Stakemire (the breeder’s representative) that she'd be a shining star in Book 2 and that she would probably sell very well."
"And she really blossomed through her preparation. She was always on people's radars when they came to inspect the yearlings at the farm, everyone liked her."
"Calvin and I have been friends for a long time so I told him that there was this filly who was pretty forward, who looked the type to get up and going early."
Fast forward twelve months and John enjoyed watching the McEvoy team purchase, for $475,000, Arabian Summer's half-sister by Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett at the 2024 Magic Millions.
"It was great to see things come full circle," he said, adding that "it was pretty exciting as we were selling that filly on the Friday whilst looking forward to cheering on her half-sister in the Magic Millions the next day." ➤
Teaming up with McEvoy Mitchell Racing to buy both fillies was Belmont Bloodstock's Damon Gabbedy who shares Calvin's memories of Arabian Summer as a yearling.
"She was not big," he reiterated, "but she was just a fantastic walker."
"She had a really deep girth and was a strong little muscle ball type of filly with a great attitude."
"We really wanted to get a Too Darn Hot and we were underbidders on another who turned out to be Too Darn Lizzie (winner of the 1000 Guineas Prelude-Gr.2, 1400m)."
"Arabian Summer has turned out to be a little ripper and her owners are having a lot of fun with her," he said, adding that her position in Book 2 of the sale didn't faze him; "a good horse will sell anywhere, people will find them."
It took $220,000 to secure Arabian Summer, putting her in the top four lots sold through Book 2. It was a good result for her breeder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum who is represented in Australia by Tim Stakemire.
JUST A BIT SMALL
"A nice, neat, tidy filly who was just a bit small," is how Stakemire described Arabian Summer as a foal.
"She didn't grow a great deal leading into the sales and we did wonder if we'd race or sell her but we decided to put her in and when Tony McEvoy asked us if we'd like to remain in the ownership we were happy to."
"We always like to be part of the careers of the nicely bred fillies and her dam Maraam has been very good to us."
"We did pay a lot of money for her (Maraam), but she is paying us back."
It was in 2014 that Maraam, a daughter of Street Cry from the prolific Easy Date family, caught the eye and it took $1.05 million to secure her. She didn't manage to win anywhere near that amount on the track but she had her share of ability winning three races including a couple at metropolitan level; not disgraced contesting stakes races at her last couple of starts under the care of Peter and Paul Snowden.
At stud she is proving to be a good investment, her first foal by Fastnet Rock selling for $575,000 whilst her second by Rubick was a $220,000 yearling. Arabian Summer also fetched that amount with the first of her two by Wootton Bassett commanding $475,000.
"She is a lovely, big, scopey mare," Tim said of Maraam, "a good looking mare who throws great types."
Such as Arabian Summer who Stakemire describes as "a pocket rocket," one whose career he and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum are enjoying; the latter from afar.
"I speak to him daily and let him know when his
horses are running as he likes to watch them live when he can, otherwise he will watch a replay soon after."
"He loves his horses and I love working for him," Tim said, reflecting on a 28 year working relationship that kicked off with another breed of horse.
"I was playing polo in Dubai and he was presenting the prizes. At that stage I thought I'd gone as far as I could go with polo and in conversation with him he suggested I have a try at endurance racing."
Establishing a leading stable, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum rode with Stakemire who looks happily back at those times; "we had a lot of fun," he said.
With his family involvement, it looked only a matter of time until Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum moved over to thoroughbreds.
Several very good horses have raced in his well known silks (yellow with a dark blue V) including the dual Group 1 winning two-year-old Pride Of Dubai who is now doing his breeder proud siring such tough mares as Bella Nipotina, Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge.
Much of the joy Stakemire feels when watching these horses compete so well is felt on behalf of his employer who he describes as "such a ➤ lovely, lovely man, a kind-heated, kind-souled man who has been like a second father to me."
Tim and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum share the ownership of Arabian Summer with an enthusiastic group of owners including Mystery Downs' Frank and Christine Cook in whose maroon, white and gold colours she races.
IT'S NOT WAR AND PEACE!
It was Arabian Summer's breeding that had first caught Frank's eye, that keen student of pedigrees always excited when the sales catalogue arrives.
"That's the start of all the hard work," he said whilst Christine joked that when her husband first started to dig into catalogues she was not sure what he was doing.
"Frank has never been a big reader but he kept disappearing for hours, I thought he was getting into War And Peace but it turns out he was studying catalogues!"
"The thrill of the chase" is how Frank describes the yearling sales, he loves the process of making a list, showing it to Christine and then spending days inspecting the yearlings and hoping that the right ones end up in their stable.
Fortunately Arabian Summer did - though it did not look that way at first with the Cooks teaming with trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton to bid.
"We'd sent our VRC Oaks-Gr.1, 2500m winner Lasqueti Spirit (another talented Magic Millions graduate) to Too Darn Hot so I'd done my research on him," Frank recalled. "I knew that he was not a
big horse but well put together and I had that in mind when I saw her."
And what were his first impressions of Arabian Summer?
"She was a small but perfectly formed object."
"She had a great shoulder and a great action. She was definitely one we didn't want to let go."
But at first, with John O'Shea dropping out of the bidding, it appeared that they had missed out.
"We have a great relationship with John," Christine said, "so we asked him if he'd mind if we approached Tony McEvoy to see if we could buy a share and he said 'go for it!'"
Whilst Arabian Summer hit the ground running, it has not all been smooth sailing with a trip to Adelaide last winter coming unstuck when she put her leg through the barriers, forcing her late scratching.
"She had been in the gates for a while," Christine explained, "and a horse next to her reared and made a noise; she stuck her leg through the gate and had puncture marks on both sides of her fetlock."
Christine and Frank spent an hour with their filly as she underwent treatment on course, Frank remembering the vet trying to get the sedative dose right for the smaller than average filly.
"I remember they were rubbing her ears trying to keep her awake," Frank said. "The vet did a great job with her."
Arabian Summer is just one of a number of classy horses raced by the Cooks who have cheered on a Melbourne Cup-Gr.1, 3200m winner in Gold Trip and several other Group 1 horses such as Lasqueti Spirit, Unforgotten, Preferment, Zougotcha, Foreteller and Fierce Impact.
Christine has been active in promoting the Magic Millions Racing Women's initiative, racing the likes of Foxplay and Madame Pommery with all female owned syndicates.
The couple's passion for racing was sparked by meeting a trainer at a friend's 40th birthday party. The idea of racing a horse appealed and they had that lovely beginner's luck with their first horse Warning Siren winning, at debut - and on protest (apt considering her name) - the Gimcrack StakesLR, 1000m.
Racing itself was not new to Frank who has fond childhood memories of "sitting around the table with my father and my brothers listening to the races on the radio and betting with match sticks."
ARABIAN SUMMER DEBUTS
On the back of good jump-out form, Arabian Summer faced the starter for the first time, in the Debutant Stakes-Listed, 1000m at Caulfield in October 2023. She ran into a smart one, fellow Magic Millions graduate Coleman, but after showing enough speed to lead she fought on gamely and there was a sizeable gap to the next
horse home.
She again showed that pace when contesting the Ottawa Stakes-Gr.3, 1000m down the Flemington straight on Oaks Day and again she ran into another nice Magic Millions sales horse, the $1.1 million dollar filly Eneeza; beating home the subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m winner Hayasugi with another game second.
The Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic in early December was next on her agenda and she really put on display her speed, straightening two lengths clear of her rivals and racing clear to an easy 3 1/2 length victory.
"She really impressed me," Tony McEvoy said on the day, describing her as "so professional."
Jockey Harry Coffey was also taken by the style of her victory, noting that "she was very quick, moved well throughout and let down nicely."
A month later she was back at the Gold Coast, this time taking a sit in the Gold Pearl, taking over with 200m to go, putting 2 1/4 lengths on her rivals.
She again gave her rider a good feel and he was able to tell the media that "my job was pretty easy today."
"Luckily I've been able to be with her at every one of her starts and she has run superbly every time. She is the ultimate professional, she does things right."
The ease of those two wins saw Arabian Summer well fancied in the $3 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic-RL, 1200m, in the race won by Storm Boy finishing a game fifth after again doing the early work.
Given a break in the sunshine state, she showed that she was well and truly back on track when recording an impressive win, really finding when asked for an effort with 300m to go, in the inaugural $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at Doomben in late May.
"She was very tough today," Harry enthused, "she is a credit to everyone involved with her."
"It is pretty awesome to be associated with her and I'm really thankful to the connections and also Tony and Calvin for having faith in me."
"She didn't have the easiest of runs. I was a bit exposed out wide but I got a nice cart around the bend and she let down well."
That win, her third from her first six starts, took her prizemoney tally to beyond $960,000 and she earned herself the position of the first confirmed runner in the new Magic Millions slot race for three-year-olds to be held under lights at the Gold Coast on January 4.
The $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight, 1100m, would be an apt race for Arabian Summer to win, she being a member of the same Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable as that wonderful Magic Millions graduate; winner of the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic and three Group 1 races. ➤
And it would be another feature win for Harry Coffey who put himself in the headlines this season recording a memorable victory on the Ciaron Maher trained imported galloper Duke De Sessa in the Caulfield Cup-Gr.1, 2400m.
THE DARING AND MASTERFUL HARRY COFFEY
After a ride that was described by media as "daring" and "masterful," Harry was welcomed back to scale by a delighted crowd fully appreciative of the amazing story that is Harry Coffey. At just six weeks of age diagnosed with the debilitating condition cystic fibrosis, Harry did not have the easiest of childhoods but it is, he said "all I have ever known."
"It's not like I was well and look back and think about the days when I felt better and ask 'why me?' - it has just always been my life."
With the considerable support of a tight-knit family including his parents Maree and Austy Coffey (a popular Swan Hill based trainer), Harry was lovingly encouraged to live his life to the full. He played sports, he rode horses. And he became an apprentice jockey.
"It is fair to say," he said, "that if not for cystic fibrosis I would not have become a jockey."
"My brother Sam is a lot taller and heavier than me," he said, explaining that "cystic fibrosis effects weight and growth so not only did it enable me to start my career as a jockey, but it keeps me very ➤ light which gives me lots of opportunities."
Inspiring in the ability to appreciate the path he is on, Harry would of course prefer to be healthier even if it meant another career, though with his love of horses it is likely he'd still be involved in some way.
"I'd much prefer not to have cystic fibrosis, I would not wish it on any one," he said.
Whilst he was young his parents lived with the knowledge that Harry's lifespan may not be a full one but recent medical advances have improved not only his life expectancy but also his every day quality of life; a drug called Trikafta being hailed as somewhat of a miracle drug.
It is not a cure but when it works it slows down progression and improves symptoms. And, amazingly, it kicks in almost immediately.
"It was still pretty new as a treatment and it was serious stuff, so I spent a few days in hospital as it was being administered."
"The first day was rough," he said, recalling the experience of his lungs ridding themselves of all that lurked in them.
"I was absolutely exhausted from all the coughing as my body was changing and adapting but I was breathing a whole lot more easily."
The lockdown periods during the heights of COVID were challenging times for Harry whose doctor advising that "if you can hide yourself away, do it!"
"We didn't really know what was happening at the time, it was pretty scary."
But with Harry's ability to see the silver linings in clouds, he made the most of that time; becoming engaged to his girlfriend Tayla, buying a farm at Swan Hill and "re-evaluating what I wanted out of life."
"Dad got a few more horses in to keep us busy so I was riding in the mornings. My brother Sam came home from university so for a while it was just like old times, we were kids again!"
A BETTER RIDER
"I gained clarity from that time and came out of it more settled, more mature. And a better rider."
And now Harry is not only a Group 1 jockey (his first being the 2018 Australasian Oaks-Gr.1, 2005m aboard Sopressa), but also a dad, a role he is thoroughly enjoying; "it is so much fun!" he said.
"My wife does the bulk of the work, she is the heart and soul of parenting. I am away a lot which is tough, I just want to be home with them."
Becoming a dad was another challenge for Harry with cystic fibrosis which effects the reproductive system. Thomas (born in May 2023) being an IVF baby, both of his parents requiring procedures which "were not at all nice!"
But what is nice for Harry is seeing the love poured on his son from his family, taking great pleasure out of seeing his parents doting on their grandson.
And they are enjoying Harry's triumphs on the track, Austy telling the media that "it was a big moment for us, our biggest moment ever in racing, for sure."
Hopefully there are further big moments to come with Harry's association with Arabian Summer. He has been aboard for all six of her starts and is looking forward to seeing what she can do during her Queensland summer campaign.
"She has been a lot of fun," he said, admiring the qualities that see her reserve her energy for the races.
"She is quite unassuming, in fact she is so cruisy that on the way to the gates you wonder if she is going to wake up for the race!"
"But when the gates open she is a different horse." When asked what she is like to ride, Harry replied "she is fast, that's what she's like!"
"She may be small but she is strong through the chest and with her attitude, she makes my job easy." n
HOOFNOTE: it is fitting that Arabian Summer has ended up such a good Magic Millions horse. One of the 85 members of Too Darn Hot's debut crop, she hails from the family of the company's first major race winner; Snippets so memorably taking out the inaugural Magic Millions two-yearold race in 1987 by four lengths.
“She may be small but she is strong through the chest and with her attitude, she makes my job easy.”
CULINARY HIDEAWAYS: DISCOVER
The Star Gold Coast's EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE DINING ROOMS
Led by Magic Millions Culinary Ambassador, Executive Chef Dan Fox, The Star Gold Coast is redefining intimate, luxury dining with six exclusive private dining spaces.
Whether you’re seeking an intimate gathering, a corporate event, or a lavish celebration, these venues promise unforgettable culinary experiences in beautifully designed settings, for 10 to 44 guests.
Uncle Su: A Taste of Cantonese Comfort
At Uncle Su, The Star Gold Coast’s signature Cantonese restaurant, guests can indulge in the freshest seafood, hand-made yum cha and a delicious blend of Cantonese style favourites. All matched with an award-winning wine list.
The three richly appointed private dining rooms at provide the perfect backdrop for celebrations with family, friends and colleagues. Choose from three unique spaces, accommodating up to 36 guests. Celebrate luck, happiness, and joy in the vibrant red dining room or growth, harmony, and balance in the jewel green room.
The team, led by Chef Song Yao Su who (who inspired the restaurant name) has developed an eclectic menu that fuse region specific cuisines including Cantonese, Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, Hunan Gourmet, Thai and national native specialties.
Kiyomi:
An Intimate Japanese Retreat
At the heart of this private culinary journey is Kiyomi, featuring a brand new 16-seat private dining room that blends traditional Japanese heritage with modern luxury. This intimate space provides guests a retreat away from the bustle of the main restaurant where they can indulge in meticulously crafted cuisine.
Guests indulging in the premium Omakase menu,
are welcomed with an exclusive sake ceremony with Sake Sommelier, Yuichi Kanamaru, followed by ten-course degustation menu, showcasing the finest Australian produce. This immersive, private experience is complete with live chef demonstrations that highlight the artistry of Japanese cuisine.
Head Chef Winson Law is passionate about creating dishes that not only celebrate the flavours of Japan but also emphasise the quality of local ingredients. “Our aim is to provide a culinary journey that reflects the best of both Japanese and Australian cuisine,” he explains. The menu features seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques that elevate traditional recipes.
Nineteen at The Star: Sky-high Elegance
For an exclusive private dining experience like no other, Nineteen at The Star offers breathtaking skyline views from its chic nineteenth floor location in The Darling. Up to 26 guests are invited to climb the ribbon staircase or take the dedicated lift to the private dining room, located above the main floor.
Award-winning fine dining in an elegant and sophisticated private space, complete with cocktail bar and private amenities, provides the ultimate space to your next milestone occasion, product launch or end of year celebration. The cool coastal flair and the freshest seasonal produce – the food, view, extensive wine list and welcoming service will have you returning again and again.
For more details or to make a reservation for your next occasion, business lunch or dinner, visit thestargoldcoast.com.au. n
Uncle Su
Kiyomi
Nineteen at The Star
Purchase a yearling in January 2025 and next summer race for $17.25 Million
MAGIC MILLIONS PRIZEMONEY & BONUSES Exclusive to Magic Millions Sale graduates
SATURDAY 10 JANUARY 2026 – TWILIGHT SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2026 – DAY
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2025 MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 7-13 JANUARY 2025 Races programmed for all ages & classes from 1000m-2200m Aquis Park Gold Coast Turf Club
ALMA VALE Thoroughbreds
The Hunter Valley’s latest venture, Alma Vale, will bring their first draft to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “We are thrilled to showcase our first stand alone draft, featuring 16 exceptional yearlings, each carefully selected for the Magic Millions sale,” said Verna Metcalfe.
“Since our inception in July 2023, we’ve expanded our operations significantly. Our facilities now include 22 brand new individual spelling yards with lockable boxes, a state of the art 15-box mare and foal barn, and 8 dedicated rehab boxes with a treadmill. We also work directly with leading veterinary practice, Scone Equine Hospital, to provide the highest level of care for our horses.”
Alma Vale’s cohort of sixteen yearlings include a trio by Australia’s hottest young sire Zoustar, as well as a nice mix of proven, emerging, and first season sires. Zoustar colt, Lot 73, is the fourth foal of winning mare Vigilance (Sepoy). “A fast looking colt, very much a replica of his sire. Well muscled, racy, and ready to put a saddle on.”
Russian Revolution colt, Lot 343, from Listed winner Eawase, a daughter of Magic Millions 2YO Classic
winner Karuta Queen. “A sharp colt with great shape and plenty of substance, from a fast family, and he looks every bit the part.”
Lot 487 is a half-sister to Gr2 winner Summer Sham by Russian Revolution. “A filly with a lovely, current pedigree and looks to match. She’s a very attractive, racy type.” Summer Sham is the dam of Gr2 Missile Stakes winner Schwarz, and this is the Redoute’s Choice family.
Alma Vale will present four yearlings by exciting first season sires.
Lot 439 is by Gr1 Champagne S. winner Capitvant. “This colt is very much like his father, Captivant, showcasing all of his best qualities. He’s a forward, well balanced, and athletic animal who looks set to run early.” This colt is a half-brother to Listed winner Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon), and is only the fourth foal for Glamour Gal, a half-sister to Gr2 The Roses winner Etana.
From the first crop of Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, Lot 241 is out of two year-old winner Californiasurprise (I Am Invincible). “A beautiful filly
“Since our inception in July 2023, we’ve expanded our operations significantly. Our facilities now include 22 brand new individual spelling yards with lockable boxes, a state of the art 15-box mare and foal barn, and 8 dedicated rehab boxes with a treadmill.
with a lot of I Am Invincible about her. She has a stunning head and eye, is well muscled, and looks like an athlete.”
Californiasurprise is a daughter of Gr3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes and Listed Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic winner Camporella.
Gr1 AJ Moir Stakes winner Wild Ruler is represented by a pair of yearling colts from Alma Vale. Lot 482 from Homebird is, “very typical of his sire, Wild Ruler, he’s always been a classy colt - beautifully balanced and athletic, right from day one.” A half-brother to Gr3 Quezette Stakes winner Bound For Home (Rubick), this colt is from the family of Hong Kong’s super sprinter Silent Witness.
Wild Ruler colt, Lot 555, is from American mare Katie’s Eyes. “This colt oozes the qualities of his grandsire, Snitzel. He looks fast and precocious, with enough scope to go on with it.” Katie’s Eyes was a Listed winner and several times Gr2 placed, and this colt is her fourth live foal.
What is your most-used emoji?
“My most-used emoji has to be the face palm emoji �� - it perfectly captures so many moments working with horses!”
Do you prefer calls or texts?
“I prefer calls because they add a personal touch - you can connect more directly with the client and have a meaningful conversation about their horses, rather than just through text.”
What is on your bucket list?
“One thing on my bucket list is to learn to play polo. I didn’t realise what an incredible game it is and how versatile the horses are. It’s also a great way to give off the track thoroughbreds a new purpose, helping them transition into a second career.”
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“The best Magic Millions 2YO winner I’ve seen has to be Military Rose. She holds a special place for me, as I was deeply involved in her foaling, rearing and preparation. She was one of the first horses we prepped and took to the Magic Millions with Middlebrook Valley Lodge for Mike Mant, on behalf of my close friend and longtime client, Reg Ryan.”
18 B./F Farnan The Promise
70 B./F Zoustar Vergara
73 B./C Zoustar Vigilance
139 Br./F So You Think (NZ) All That Sass
163 B./C Pierata Aqaareb
241 B./F Stay Inside Californiasurprise
279 B./C Spirit of Boom Colton
343 Ch./C Russian Revolution Eawase
439 Br. or Blk./C Captivant Glamour Gal
482 B. or Br./C Wild Ruler Homebird
487 Ch./F Russian Revolution Hot Summer Night
555 B./C Wild Ruler Katie’s Eyes (USA)
624 B./C Proisir Madam Swiss (NZ)
835 Ch./C Extreme Warrior Red Sista
891 Br./F So You Think (NZ) Scarlet Moretta
1000 B./C Zoustar Strome
www.almavale.au
Verna Metcalfe
P: (+61) 488 762 923 E: farm@almavale.au
Oscar Engelbrecht P: (+61) 455 404 392 E: oscar@almavale.au
Oscar Engelbrecht, Stud Manager and Verna Metcalfe, General Manager
ARISTIA Park
Aristia Park’s owner John Guscic has a “global view of bloodstock,” and that is reflected in the Victorian farm’s Magic Millions draft with a small but select offering of yearlings with appealing international pedigrees.
The farm’s co-manager Tamara Kemp has high hopes for the three colts and two fillies...
Lot 471 bay colt by Home Affairs from Hell Or Highwater (Not A Single Doubt)
He is a son of the Heatherlie Stakes-LR, 1700m winner Hell Or Highwater (a $280,000 purchase for Aristia at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale) whose first three foals are all winners including the promising New Zealand based three year-old Boss ‘N’ Highheels.
A tough and classy mare who won eight of her 27 starts, Hell Or Highwater was also Group 2 and Listed placed and she is one of the four winners (from as many foals) for the US stakes winner Get Ready Bertie (More Than Ready). Second dam Get Ready Bertie was the winner of four of 13, she is the grandam of the stakes winners Tamborera (ten wins from 17 starts) and Magic Grant. Get Ready Bertie’s dam De Bertie won twice at Group level and she produced two Group 3 winners.
“He is a big, strong, forward colt,” Kemp said, adding that he has that “lovely brain that all the I Am Invincible line horses have. They are just great horses, always so easy to deal with.”
Lot 676 chestnut colt by Palace Pier out of Mistress Oz (Snitzel)
A member of the only Australian crop of Kingman’s best son, he is out of a daughter of the high class Princess Coup. That daughter of Encosta de Lago won twelve races with her four successes at the elite level earning her several titles including NZ Champion 3YO Filly and NZ Champion Older Mare. Continuing on the good work at stud, Princess Coup has been represented by eight winners including the Group 3 winners Thewizardofoz and Argentia.
A descendant of the famed matriarch Chelandry, Princess Coup is also grandam of the Listed winners Oz Empress and Stonecoat and third dam of the Listed winner Epimeles; making this a family that just keeps on giving.
“He has a lovely attitude, he is a switched on horse but he is sweet, my kids can handle him! He is a jump and run sort of colt, an early two year-old type.”
Lot 775 bay filly by Bivouac from Philonikia (Kingman)
The third and sadly final foal for an imported mare who died young, she hails from a strong international family which has enjoyed local success.
Philonikia is one of the four winners produced by the stakes placed Colima whose son Brimham Rocks won the Naturalism Stakes-Gr3, 2000m and the Tattersall’s Cup-Gr3, 2200m; also only just beaten in the Metropolitan Handicap-Gr1, 2500m. A half-sister
to the Group 3 winner Oh Goodness Me and the Listed winner Eradicate, Colima is also dam of the Listed winner Chamade. Her stakes placed dam Coyote is a daughter of the dual Group 2 winner Caramba.
Aristia Park’s owner John Guscic has a “global view of bloodstock,” and that is reflected in the Victorian farm’s Magic Millions draft with a small but select offering of yearlings with appealing international pedigrees.
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
471 B./C Home Affairs Hell or Highwater
676 Ch./C Palace Pier (GB) Mistress Oz
775 B./F Bivouac Philonikia (GB)
940 B./C Wild Ruler Sing a Rainbow (IRE)
1130 Ch./F Anders Chica Loca (FR)
“She is a Classic type of filly, very athletic with lovely movement.”
Lot 940 bay colt by Wild Ruler from Sing A Rainbow (Frankel)
From the debut crop of Newgate Farm’s Moir Stakes-Gr1, 1200m (a race also won by their star stallion Extreme Choice) winner, this colt has the mighty Frankel as his dam sire. A superstar on the track and off, Frankel is also doing the job as a broodmare sire with his daughters already producing eleven stakes winners.
Sing A Rainbow is a daughter of the Group 3 winner Beatrice Aurore, also dam of the dual Group winner Lavender’s Blue and the Listed winner Moomba. Beatrice Aurore is one of the four stakes winners produced by the Listed winner Mondschein and her dam River Spey was also a stakes winner who fared well at stud; her eight winners including the Group 3 galloper Jahafil. And River Spey’s dam Strathspey won two Listed races; that’s four generations of black type for Sing A Rainbow’s female line.
“He is a scopey horse with lovely, loose movement. He is a workmanlike colt with an absolutely super brain and a lot of Frankel about him, especially in regard to his temperament.”
Lot 1130 chestnut filly by Anders from Chica Loca (American Post) This filly is out of a Listed winner whose multiple Group 1 winning sire American Post has made his presence felt as a broodmare sire in this part of the world via the W.S. Cox Plate-Gr1, 2040m winner Lys Gracieux. A proven broodmare with four winners amongst her first five runners, Chica Loca is a daughter of the Listed winner Comete from a strong international family which has enjoyed local success with Cradle Me the winner of three stakes races including the Dane Ripper Stakes-Gr2, 1350m.
With her 3 X 4 cross of Arctic Tern, Chica Loca looks a great fit for a horse from the Danehill sire line; that great horse being a member of the same prolific Almahmoud family as Arctic Tern.
“She is a correct, speedy, athletic filly, a really racy type.”
Question time with Tamara Kemp...
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life?
Russell Robertson, I was straight out of school working at Lynden Park Stud. He gave me my love of mares and foals and I respected the way in which he was always thinking out of the box.
m: 0427 948 244
e: linda@tyreel.com
www.aristiapark.com.au
175 Fechner Road, Koo Wee VIC 3981
Warren Diggles: warren@aristiapark.com.au 0438 307 910
Tamara Kemp: tamara@aristiapark.com.au 0407 968 857
What is on your bucket list?
I’d like to breed a horse who wins the Golden Slipper.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
I am going to have to change that question to best 3YO winner! We had Abounding win that race in 2024 so that’s an obvious answer for me. She is such a lovely, flashy girl.
ARROWFIELD
Whatever kind of racing memory you dream of making, Arrowfield can help you make it.
Arrowfield yearling sale graduates include five major Group 1 3YO Classic winners in 2024 alone: Magic Millions buy Private Life (Caulfield Guineas), Autumn Angel (Australian Oaks), Celestial Legend (Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile), Lady Shenandoah (Flight Stakes) and Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes). Plus 13 other stakeswinners of 21 Group and Listed Races in Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and Hong Kong.
Over the past decade 101 Arrowfield sale graduates have won 177 Group and Listed Races, and they include 27 Group 1 winners with a tally of 36 Group 1 victories.
And that doesn’t include new generation race successes like Count De Rupee’s The Gong and Ostraka’s Silver Eagle.
In every category, Arrowfield has dreams ready to be chosen and memories waiting to be made from its Magic Millions 2025 draft. Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer compiles a short list to kick off the selection process:
The Elite Colts
$650,000 Magic Millions 2023 purchase Private Life led all the way in the 2024 Caulfield Guineas Gr1, becoming Arrowfield’s 5th graduate winner of the Classic, and a valuable prospective stallion. The prestige and windfall profits from racing “a big colt” aren’t limited to buyers at the top end of the Magic Millions sale – just ask Kevin and Vikki Payne who bought triple Classic winner Hitotsu from Arrowfield at Magic Millions 2020 for $100,000.
In fact, 20 commercially active stallions in Australia and New Zealand carry the Arrowfield brand, and all were purchased from the Stud as yearlings. Among them are Magic Millions graduates Anders, Hitotsu, Invader (sire of Gr1 winner Sunshine In Paris) and Profondo and Group 1 sires Castelvecchio, The Autumn Sun and Alabama Express, as well as Ardrossan, Tagaloa and Super Seth.
Lot 309 - Snitzel - Debonnaire colt “Glorious Snitzel colt from an elite producer, he’s beautifully made and moves effortlessly.”
Arrowfield Magic Millions graduate Private Life (blue cap) led all the way to win the 2024 $3 million Caulfield Guineas Gr1.
Lot 731 - Snitzel - Nordique colt
“Imposing first foal from an elite Wertheimer mare with aristocratic bloodlines.”
The Brilliant 2YOs
There is nothing like the thrill of the gifted juvenile, racing within 12 months of purchase and progressing to win one or more of Australia’s 64 2YO stakes races.
Arrowfield has sold recent winners of all 5 Australian Group 1 2YO contests: Magic Millions graduates Invader (Sires’ Produce) and Tagaloa (Blue Diamond), as well as Estijaab (Golden Slipper), Castelvecchio (Champagne S.) and The Autumn Sun (J.J. Atkins).
Three of the Stud’s latest graduate 2YO stakeswinners came out of Magic Millions 2023: Bittercreek (Spirit of Boom Classic G2), Althoff (Ken Russell Memorial Classic G3) and Lazzura (Woodlands S. LR).
Lot 429 - Snitzel - Gena colt
“Ready made running Magic Millions type. Looks fast and early – he reminds me of Invader as a yearling.”
Lot 957 - Maurice - Smirnova filly
“Her mother was very, very fast and this filly looks the same, she’s strong and short coupled with natural muscle.”
The Classy Sprinters
The Flemington stable of Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin struck an outstanding Group race double on one of Australian racing’s biggest days, 2024 Cox Plate day at The Valley, and they did it with a pair of Arrowfield Magic Millions graduate sprinters.
Bennett Racing, which purchased Baraqiel for $150,000 in 2020, celebrated his class record setting Ian McEwan S. Gr2 victory with special fervour, after his long recuperation from injury. “What a horse, so tough, we just love this boy.”
His stablemate, 3YO colt Bittercreek landed the Red Anchor S. Gr3 for a group of owners including Dean Harvey who joined Team Corstens to buy him for $375,000 at Magic Millions 2023.
Three-quarters of the stakes races so far won by Arrowfield 2014-23 Magic Millions graduates have been at 1000m-1400m, among them Group wins by Secret Agenda, Anders, Wee Nessy, Flying Evelyn, Honesty Prevails, Perignon and Scarlet Rain.
Lot 335 - Snitzel - Dream Date colt “Lovely strong colt with a big hip. He’s a close relative of Not A Single Doubt and is cast in that mould.”
Lot 636 - Maurice - Mallory filly
“First foal of a Group winning two yearold filly and she’s been a star from the day she was born.”
The Under-the-Radar Buys
Eleven of the farm’s best Magic Millions graduates since 2014 were purchased for less than $200,000 – among them Group 1 winners Hitotsu and Secret Agenda. And then there’s 2024 Scone Cup LR winner Sky Lab, purchased for $48,000 by trainer and part owner Paul Perry from Arrowfield at Magic Millions 2019 and still going strong in his sixth season of racing.
His earnings so far? $1.4 million. Also at Magic Millions 2019, trainers Robert and Luke Price secured Count De Rupee for $145,000, well below the average of the entire sale. Seven wins and 8 placings later, he was a Group 2 winner of $2.6 million prizemoney.
Lot 75 - Maurice - Villa Rosa colt “A natural athlete who looks certain to run.”
Lot 302 - Palace Pier - Dame Pattie filly
“Love this filly from the first crop of Kingman’s best son. Lovely shoulder and depth, she oozes class.”
The Million Dollar-making Fillies
The $650,000 that Australian Bloodstock and Willinga Park paid for Arrowfield’s Lot 895 at Magic Millions 2021 bought not only a strapping filly, but also a formidable pedigree, featuring supersire Snitzel and the immediate family of Champion Filly Alizee and Group 1 winner Astern.
Named Willinga Beast, she earned $426,000 before selling in June 2024 for $675,000, then promptly winning a Listed Race and adding $92,000 to her prizemoney.
Triple Crown Syndications did even better with their 2018 Arrowfield Magic Millions purchase. That was Group winner and Thousand Guineas Gr1 runner-up Missile Mantra, knocked down for just $30,000. She proceeded to earn $608,000 on the track and was then sold as a broodmare in 2022 for $950,000 – a total return of more than $1.5 million.
Lot 138 - Snitzel - All That Jazz filly
“Queen of a filly from a super South African family that replicates the In The Congo cross.”
Lot 483 - I Am Invincible - Honesty Prevails filly
“Stunning filly from a blue hen mare and one of the best taproot families in the American Stud Book.”
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
7 Ch./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Tasteful
30 B./F Maurice (JPN) Timeless Choice
36 Br./F Shalaa (IRE) Toatoa
43 B./C Dundeel (NZ) Toorsinaa
52 B./F Palace Pier (GB) Tuudelu
75 B./C Maurice (JPN) Villa Rosa
108 Br./C Palace Pier (GB) You’re So Good (NZ)
138 B./F Snitzel All That Jazz (SAF)
193 B./C Palace Pier (GB) Bandol
194 Ch./C Admire Mars (JPN) Banksia
237 B. or Br./C Admire Mars (JPN) Cadieux
248 B./F The Autumn Sun Carry On Alice (SAF)
297 B./F Shalaa (IRE) Cruziana
302 Br./F Palace Pier (GB) Dame Pattie
309 B./C Snitzel Debonnaire (GB)
335 B./C Snitzel Dream Date
409 B./F Maurice (JPN) Flying Evelyn
429 Ch./C Snitzel Gena (FR)
483 B./F I Am Invincible Honesty Prevails
494 B. or Br./F Maurice (JPN) I Am Serious
502 B./F Pinatubo (IRE) In A While
507 Ch./F Admire Mars (JPN) Inari
513 B./C Maurice (JPN) Instant Attraction
516 B./C Dundeel (NZ) Intiba (USA)
523 B./F Castelvecchio Iskander
539 B./C Castelvecchio Jemison
583 Ch./C Admire Mars (JPN) Lady Legend
592 Br./F Palace Pier (GB) Legend Emma (IRE)
597 B./C The Autumn Sun Let’s Get Loud (NZ)
636 B./F Maurice (JPN) Mallory
638 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Mantra Of Life (USA)
642 B. or Br./F Admire Mars (JPN) Marsanne
660 Br./F Palace Pier (GB) Miravalle
670 B./C Snitzel Miss Siska
696 B./F Dundeel (NZ) Ms Rodarte
711 Br./C Maurice (JPN) Nancy Grace
712 Br./F The Autumn Sun Nanyo Venus (JPN)
727 B. or Br./C Maurice (JPN) Noire
731 B./C Snitzel Nordique (GB)
745 Ch./F Maurice (JPN) Only Roses
797 B. or Br./C Shamus Award Press Review
840 B. or Br./C Written Tycoon Rhaenys
850 Ch./C Castelvecchio Romalette
858 Br./C Palace Pier (GB) Royal Collection (USA)
868 B./F The Autumn Sun Sabanci
910 B./F The Autumn Sun Sewreel (NZ)
957 B./F Maurice (JPN) Smirnova
969 Ch./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Song Of Freedom 976 B./F Snitzel Special Code (USA)
www.arrowfield.com.au | Scone, NSW
Paul Messara: 0438 248 258
Jon Freyer: 0408 583 888
Sally Gordon: 0421 080 021
Alison Brassil: 0439 338 630
Mitchell Ralph: 0475 258 950
BARAMUL Stud
The grass is greener at Baramul Stud, or so their results would tell you.
The fabled property in the Widden Valley was once home to the legendary Star Kingdom who is buried there alongside his champion son Todman. The contemporary Baramul now under Gerry Harvey’s stewardship continues to produce top flight gallopers on its fertile pastures. With a high class broodmare band and utilising the leading sires available, the 2025 Baramul Magic Millions draft is set to reveal many more gems for buyers.
Baramul Stud had a sensational draft in 2023 and the now three year-olds are led by Gr1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Move To Strike (I Am Invincible). He was joined recently by Gr2 Callander-Presnell Stakes winner Prost (Snitzel), and Gr2 Danehill Stakes winner First Settler (Written Tycoon).
Espionage (Zoustar) gave this draft a perfect beginning when he won the 2023 Gr3 Breeders’ Plate on debut, then followed it up later in the season with a win in the Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes. In the same draft was Gr1 Victoria Derby contender Tenbury Wells (Fastnet Rock).
In 2025, Baramul Stud will present a draft of 54 yearlings and there are many exciting pedigreed individuals among them with a range of stallions represented, being proven sires like Better Than Ready, Churchill, Dundeel, Flying Artie, Headwater, I Am Invincible, Maurice, Pierata, Satono Aladdin, Snitzel, So You Think, Spirit of Boom, Star Turn, The Autumn Sun, Toronado, Trapeze Artist, Wootton Bassett, Written Tycoon and Zoustar.
There are also several yearlings by exciting young sires like Farnan, Home Affairs, Ole Kirk and St Mark’s Basilica.
The 2025 draft has several siblings to top flight racehorses with the Zoustar half-brother to First Settler (Written Tycoon), Lot 451, bound to draw plenty of attention. Their dam, winning mare Graciousness (Street Cry), has also produced Listed winner Vienna Princess (Snitzel) and she’s a young mare with only three foals to race, all winners, and her fourth foal is a two year-old by Snitzel. Graciousness has a massive pedigree, being a half-sister to four stakes winners including good sire and Gr1 winner Casino Prince.
From the same family, Lot 261 is the full brother to Gr2 Silver Slipper and Gr2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Best Of Bordeaux (Snitzel) who also placed in the Gr1 Golden Slipper and Gr1 Manikato Stakes and now stands at Coolmore. The colt is the fourth foal of city winner Chateau Cheval (High Chaparral), who is half-sister to Graciousness and Casino Prince.
A full brother to Espionage (Zoustar) is Lot 506, and this colt is out of In Times Of War (Street Cry) whose first three
foals are winners. In Times Of War is one of five winners produced by Gr2 Reisling Stakes and Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Military Rose (General Nediym) who won her first five in succession at two.
Lot 83 will surely turn heads being a full brother to dual Listed winner Stroll (Snitzel) who is out of winning mare Walk The Streets (Street Cry) who is a daughter of Listed winner Kakakakatie (Zeditave).
D’Argento has begun his stud career nicely with his oldest just turned three, and Baramul Stud are offering his halfsister by first season sire St Mark’s Basilica as Lot 1188. D’Argento and his two stakes placed winning siblings are out of Listed winner Fullazz (Redoute’s Choice).
With plenty of choice among this draft to go with Baramul Stud’s impressive graduate record, there’s bound to be something for everyone’s taste and budget.
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
55 Gr./F Written Tycoon Una Grew Roses (NZ)
83 Ch./C Snitzel Walk the Streets
136 B./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Alighted
190 B./C I Am Invincible Ballet de Joie
261 B./C Snitzel Chateau Cheval
262 B./C Dundeel (NZ) Chateau Margaux
351 Br. or Blk./F Ole Kirk Elisabetta (NZ)
438 B./C I Am Invincible Glamour Cat
451 Br./C Zoustar Graciousness
455 Br./C Wootton Bassett (GB) Grazia (NZ)
492 Br./C Wootton Bassett (GB) Hussyanna
506 Ch./C Zoustar In Times of War
538 B. or Br./F Maurice (JPN) Jellicles
547 Ch./F Zoustar Julinka
559 B./C Satono Aladdin (JPN) Kerre (IRE)
582 B./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Lady Gracious
648 B./C Snitzel Medaglia Valore
685 B./C Zoustar Moonlight Waltz
759 B./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Oxidization
760 B./F So You Think (NZ) Palacio de Cristal
761 Ch./F Home Affairs Palazzo Cristallo
762 Br./C I Am Invincible Palazzo Vecchio
801 B./C I Am Invincible Princess Lowry (NZ)
808 B./C Written Tycoon Pruscino
834 B./C Home Affairs Rebel Sister 838 B./C Snitzel Rendition (NZ)
854 B./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Rose of Savannah
861 B./C Trapeze Artist Royal Residence
874 B./C Written Tycoon Samartested
892 B./C Dundeel (NZ) Scratches
902 B./C Farnan Selica (NZ)
986 B./C Toronado (IRE) Stage Princess 1024 Br./C Headwater Tasmanian
1029 B. or Br./C Better Than Ready The Nickster 1054 Ch./F The Autumn Sun Ventriloquism
1065 B./C Churchill (IRE) World Peace
1095 Ch./C Star Turn Antonia
1107 B./C Spirit of Boom Bayonets (NZ) 1119 Ch./C Star Turn Cable Car
1125 B./F Spirit of Boom Casa Tranquila (NZ)
1138 B./C Ole Kirk Costume
1188 B./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Fullazz
1202 Br. or Blk./C Trapeze Artist Grande Annee (USA) 1216 B. or Br./C Better Than Ready High Intellect (NZ) 1220 B./C Spirit of Boom Huskisson (NZ)
1229 B./F Trapeze Artist Inner Demons
1242 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Joy Forever
1261 Ch./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Livanos
1265 B./C Trapeze Artist Long Island
1266 B./F Pierata Louisiana Iris (NZ)
1271 B./F Flying Artie Magically
1285 Br./F Trapeze Artist Memsahib Lady 1317 B./C Better Than Ready One Pose (NZ) 1320 B./F Ole Kirk Palazzi Signorili
baramul@baramulstud.com.au
Paul Thompson
Widden Valley Rd, Widden NSW 2328 (02) 6547 0506 admin@baramulstud.com.au
BELL RIVER Thoroughbreds
With the early 2025 Gr1 Golden Slipper favourite Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) bred and raised at Bell River Farm’s new property, all the investment into the farm is beginning to show strong results.
Bel Merci was catalogued for the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, but was withdrawn. “It was a business decision to keep her as we sold her older sister, Surprise Honey, for good money,” said James Ferguson. Bel Merci began her career with an easy victory in the Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes, was installed as the early Golden Slipper favourite and sent home to grow before she’ll be set for the autumn. As if that weren’t enough the 2025 Gr1 Caulfield 1000 Gns winner Another Prophet was bred and raised at Bell River out of the farm’s renowned “Prophet family, one of Australia’s finest.
Other Gold Coast graduates for Bell River include Gr2 winner Chrysaor (Better Than Ready). They famously sold Group 1 winners Ace High, Extreme Choice and I Am Excited in earlier drafts from their previous property.
“We’ve been here for six or seven years now, and from a broodmare and commercial perspective
all the hard work in setting up the farm is about to pay off,” said Ferguson. “The decent results we’ve had lately are evidence of that. It’s taken time to get the pastures to where we want them. It’s not a simple task to set up a farm but I believe all that work is about to take off and show in our results.”
In 2025, Bell River will present a good sized Gold Coast draft with sixteen lots, the same as last year, but representing a steep change from years past when they would send only five or six horses north.
Bel Merci’s half-brother by Golden Slipper winner Farnan headlines a trio of yearlings by the star young sire. Lot 200, the colt is out of Gr1 winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit) and is also a half-brother to Listed winner All Too Royal (All Too Hard). “He’s half Bel Merci, and half the original Extreme Choice that Tony Gollan has (Surprise Honey). It doesn’t make sense until you see all three, but he’s an in between version of those two. He’s really the best of the three of them physically. Surprise Honey was very strongly built and a forward type of yearling with plenty of bone and substance. Bel Merci is much lighter on her feet. This colt is a nice combination of the two.”
Their Farnan filly, Lot 147, is out of Amazing Belle (O’Reilly), a young half-sister to dual New Zealand Horse Of The Year Melody Belle and Listed winner Tutukaka. Bell River’s other Farnan colt, Lot 852, has plenty of precocious form being out of a daughter of Gr3 Merson Cooper S. winner Rosa’s Joy (Rory’s Jester).
Lonhro colt, Lot 806, has a huge update as his dam is a ¾ sister to recent Gr1 Caulfield 1000 Guineas winner Another Prophet. Updates don’t come any better than that. His dam is Gr2 Rubiton S. winner Prophet’s Thumb, who also holds the track record for the Listed Fireball S. He is only her second foal, and her first foal is a two year-old Farnan filly. Prophet’s Thumb is a half-sister to Gr3 winner More Prophets.
Lot 521 is a colt by proven sire Pierro out of dual Gr3 winner Irithea (Snitzel) who won eight races and is from the family of Japanese champions Epiphaneia, Saturnalia, Cesario, Leontes, as well as Gr1 Japan Cup placed Group 2 winner Authority.
Bell River’s connection to Extreme Choice comes through with Lot 1272, a colt by Microphone, who is the first foal of winning Extreme Choice mare Maha’s Choice. Maha’s Choice is a half-sister to precocious stakes winner Whittington, with both out of Listed winner Maha Chakri (Beautiful Crown).
132 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Alderney
147 B./F Farnan Amazing Belle (NZ)
172 Br./F Harry Angel (IRE) Ashra Jahre
200 B./C Farnan Bel Mer 235 B./C Home Affairs Buzzards Bay
365 B. or Br./F Extreme Warrior Ephoral
496 B./C Fastnet Rock I See Fire (NZ)
521 B./C Pierro Irithea
626 B./F Anders Madame Trop Vite (IRE)
693 B./F So You Think (NZ) Movie Role
723 B./F Tassort Night Dream
806 Br./C Lonhro Prophet’s Thumb
852 Ch./C Farnan Rosa’s Magic
1272 B./C Microphone Maha’s Choice
1277 Br./F Spirit of Boom Marluccio
1347 B./F Spirit of Boom Rhone
www.tyreel.com
Linda Monds
m: 0427 948 244
e: linda@tyreel.com
Given Bell River’s record with older proven mares, their Anders filly, Lot 626, is worth an inspection, being out of Gr2 Flying Childers S. winner Madame Trop Vite (Invincible Spirit), making this yearling a half-sister to Listed winner Spending To Win (Snitzel) while Spending To Win’s winning full sister Avocado is the dam of Gr2 placed winner El Morzillo (Star Witness).
Well related mare Night Dream, a half-sister to four-time Gr1 winner Sepoy and Gr2 winner Mulaazaam, has a Tassort filly who will have buyers wanting another Manaal or Ameena ready to inspect Bell River’s filly. This is a speedy family with the likes of Bivouac, Guelph, Camarena, Camarilla and Encryption up close and tracing back to Canny Lad.
If you could teach a dog to do one human thing, what would it be?
“Talk. I’ve got a kelpie, Leo, and I’d love to know what’s going on upstairs.”
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life?
“There are two. Duncan Grimley and Johnny McKeever. They are very different people in terms of what they do in the industry, but both gave me a great balanced perspective on the industry and being able to combine their thoughts has been a big influence on me. They also helped me understand how to conduct myself.”
Do you prefer calls or texts?
“Text, cos I don’t like stopping what I’m doing to answer the phone.”
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“Karuta Queen. My old man had just started backing Not A Single Doubt then and she was like a Barbie with her blonde mane. I remember her because that was a verge of our involvement with her sire.”
Bel Merci
Another Prophet
BHIMA
IMPERATRIZ, world champion sprinter, was a $360K Bhima Magic Millions graduate who went on to win almost $6million before selling as a broodmare for $6.6million. The next Imperatriz could well be in Bhima’s 2025 draft.
There are not many farms in Australia who sell Gr1 winners at the rate that Bhima produces them.
Since 2019, they’ve never sold more than 30 yearlings in a draft, and they’ve sold four individual Gr1 winners at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. When others have to sell 200 yearlings (on average) to get a sole Gr1 winner, the odds are in your favour when you buy from Bhima.
Rated 2024’s World’s Best Sprinter, Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) was a $360,000 purchase by David Ellis. If you were in his shoes, you’d have a Champion Sprinter who won 19 races, (10) at Gr1 level, with earnings over $6.9million. It’s well known that Imperatriz then sold as a breeding prospect this year for $6.6million. Bhima’s darling became Te Akau’s darling, and now graces Yulong’s paddocks.
With 14 yearlings on offer in 2025, Bhima’s draft is a must inspect for all good judges, led by a pair of Snitzel yearlings.
Snitzel filly, Lot 357, is the second foal of Gr3 winner Emeralds (Sebring), herself a half-sister to this filly’s three-quarter-sister Gr2 winner and Gr1 Golden Slipper fourth Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel).
Gr1 South Australian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue’s second foal, Lot 37, is a Snitzel colt, and Toffee Tongue’s full brother is Hong Kong Horse Of The Year and triple Gr1 winner Werther, while other full siblings are Gr3 winner Gobstopper and Gr1 NZ Oaks-placed Milseain.
Lot 983, a colt by first season sire Home Affairs is out of dual Gr1 winner Srikandi. She’s already produced
Bhima sell Magic Millions Group 1 winners at a strike rate of 1 in 30 yearlings
a couple of winners and mares of her calibre are prime candidates to leave a real star.
Lot 870 is a Wootton Bassett filly out of a winning full sister to young Perth sire and Listed Karaka 3YO Million winner Long Leaf. Her third dam is the blue hen sprinter producing mare Parfore, dam of Tiger Tees, Terravista, Ball Of Muscle, Super Easy and Our Lukas. This is one of the best families in the country.
Imported three-quarter-sister to High Chaparral, Patsy Boyne is already the dam of Gr3 winner Naranco, and Lot 766 is Naranco’s Russian Revolution half-sister.
King’s Legacy filly, Lot 568, is out of Kisses For Leslie, a young half-sister to brilliant Gr1 winning sprinter I Am A Star.
If you’d been Richard Freedman and spent the $150,000 to buy Forbidden Love (All Too Hard), you’d have enjoyed standing in the winner’s circle for three Gr1s; the Surround Stakes, the Canterbury Stakes, and the George Ryder. You’d be pocketing over $2.2million in racetrack earnings, and then another $4.1million when you sold her as a breeding prospect.
The versatility of Bhima’s breeding ability shines through with Manzoice (Almanzor) who was purchased by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster for $340,000. He won the Gr1 Victoria Derby at three and has been competing in the toughest staying company in Australia.
Breeding and selling a horse like Imperatriz would have most farms banking on that for years, but Bhima’s success story doesn’t finish there. Militarize gave the farm a well deserved payday in 2022 when he sold to China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, and Trilogy Racing for $550,000. But the measure of a good farm isn’t the sale ring, it’s the racetrack and Militarize stepped up. He won on debut at two, then added both the Gr1
Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Gr1 Champagne Stakes, before training on at three to add the Gr1 Golden Rose. He also placed in the Gr1 Randwick Guineas, Gr1 George Ryder and the Gr1 Doncaster.
The Bhima draft and Mike Fleming will be ready for client inspections in stables P20-26 and Q 1-7.
2025 draft
37 B./C Snitzel Toffee Tongue (NZ)
260 B./F Castelvecchio Charm School
285 B./F Star Witness Conscious
357 B./F Snitzel Emeralds
390 B. or Br./F Too Darn Hot (GB) Federosa (NZ)
568 Ch./F King’s Legacy Kissy for Leslie (NZ)
721 B./F Pierro Nicked and Court
737 B./F Super Seth O’Pristine
766 B./F Russian Revolution Patsy Boyne (IRE)
832 Ch./C Captivant Rayas (NZ)
870 B. or Br./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Sacredvista
879 B./F Dundeel (NZ) Sansa (NZ)
947 Br. or Blk./F Capitalist Sister Souss
983 Ch./C Home Affairs Srikandi
www.bhima.com.au
3 Moobi Road, Scone 2337 • (02) 6545 1000
Mike Fleming: mike@bhima.com.au • 0448 254 365
Kate Fleming: kate@bhima.com.au • 0409 311 794
BLUE GUM Farm
It was a successful debut for Blue Gum Farm’s new owners at the 2024 Magic Millions; the stud with a proud history now in the good hands of the Dingwall and Stenning families figuring in the top ten by average.
David Ellis, Peter Moody, Gary Portelli, Snowden Racing and Lindsay Park were amongst those taking home Blue Gum yearlings and Sean Dingwall is proud that two of that ten-strong draft are forward enough to show early talent.
First to race is the $300,000 Maurice filly Queen Of Clubs who ran nicely in the Gimcrack StakesGr.3, 1000m whilst their biggest seller, the $1.3 million Snitzel colt Return To Conquer, has won two New Zealand trials for Te Akau.
Blue Gum’s principals put a lot of time into which horses will head to the sale, Dingwall noting that “we work out which ones are going to fit in regards to being forward enough to present well. And we want them to have enough pedigree to sell for the sale average.”
“We take horses who can sell for $300,000 and above. You will have some which people absolutely love and will pay more for. There might be some great value also as they are all quality types.”
Lot 12 brown colt by Too Darn Hot from Tennessee Gold (Lonhro): out of a winning half-
sister to stakes winner Pergram, he is “a really nice horse who we also prepared as a weanling. He has improved and his sire is going to carry him a long way.”
Lot 46 bay colt by Exceed And Excel from Tranquil Harmony (Dream Ahead): from the family of Magic Millions-RL, 1200m winner Catnipped, he is “a really strong, forward horse who will be well regarded.”
Lot 100 bay/grey colt by Zoustar from Winter Violet (Not A Single Doubt): out of a half-sister to Breeders Plate-Listed, 1000m winner Khan, he is “the best walker in our draft. We bought him as a weanling and he has developed beautifully; he is a really nice, balanced horse.”
Lot 197 black filly by Pierata from Baubo (Rip Van Winkle): out of a half-sister to the triple Group winner Lady Kipling, “she is a ripping type out of a mare we’ve had success with, selling her Almanzor filly for $230,000. She produces great types and this filly is no different.”
Lot 304 brown colt by Blue Point from Dancing Brave Bear (Street Cry): out of a Group 3 placegetter from “a tremendous family,” he is “an absolutely stunning colt with plenty of style.”
Lot 329 chestnut colt by Stay Inside from Don’ttelltheboss (Street Boss): the son of a
Group 3 placed city winner, he is “an absolutely lovely first foal, a high quality colt who we have a lot of time for.”
It was a successful debut for Blue Gum Farm’s new owners at the 2024 Magic Millions; the stud with a proud history now in the good hands of the Dingwall and Stenning families figuring in the top ten by average.
Lot 348 bay filly by Prague from Electric Charge (Charge Forward): a halfsister to the dual Group 3 winner Libertad who has Blue Gum amongst his owners, “she is pretty special to us. A tall, athletic filly with lovely length of stride.”
Lot 373 bay filly by Tassort from Etoile Celebre (Tivaci): a Blue Gum weanling purchase; “we had a strong budget for this filly as we fell in love with her. She’s an absolute machine!”
Lot 497 brown/grey colt by Alabama Express from Ihtsatune (Ihtiram): a half-brother to stakes winner Ihts Closing Inn from a family “Blue Gum is synonymous with,” he is closely related to Tuned who Blue Gum sold for $500,000 and who recorded a Newcastle debut victory in October.
“Annabel Neasham has a good opinion of him.”
“Lot 581 bay colt by Snitzel from Lady d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro): the first foal for a city winner, he is “well balanced, very sound, very correct.”
Lot 595 bay/brown colt by Too Darn Hot from Lerina Gold (Medaglia d’Oro): out of a half-sister to stakes winner Larimer Street, “he is a big, strong colt with plenty of bone.”
Lot 715 chestnut colt by Capitalist from Need New Friends (Shamus Award): from the family of Autumn Angel and Baraqiel, he is “a ripping first foal with a great temperament. And you cannot give him enough to eat!”
2025 draft
12 Br./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Tennessee Gold
46 B./C Exceed and Excel Tranquil Harmony
100 B. or Gr./C Zoustar Winter Violet
197 Br. or Blk./F Pierata Baubo (NZ)
304 Br./C Blue Point (IRE) Dancing Brave Bear (USA)
329 Ch./C Stay Inside Don’ttelltheboss
348 B./F Prague Electric Charge
373 B./F Tassort Etoile Celebre (NZ)
497 Br. or Gr./C Alabama Express Ihtsatune
581 B./C Snitzel Lady d’Oro
595 B. or Br./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Lerina Gold
715 Ch./C Capitalist Need New Friends
807 B./C Stay Inside Prosecution
916 B./C Star Turn Sharnee Rose Lot Col/Sex Sire
Lot 807 bay colt by Stay Inside from Prosecution (Choisir): from the family of Silent Witness, he is “a well balanced horse who will prove popular. We sold his Shamus Award half-brother for $300,000 and he looks an even more likely type.”
Lot 916 bay colt by Star Turn from Sharnee Rose (Nadeem): out of a high class mare, “he has power, strength and scope and we are happy to have him in our draft.”
Question time with Sean Dingwall... What is your favourite memory?
Jeune winning the Melbourne Cup-Gr.1, 3200m as I declared him before he kicked off that racing preparation. He went through the highs and lows with his form and was doing all sorts of things wrong but they put one of the greatest riders of all time on him, Wayne Harris who has the best hands, the rest was history!
What is on your bucket list?
Going to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. I’ve never been to Paris and I would love to experience France at that time of year, it would be wonderful.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
I was a big fan of Dance Hero, he has always been one of my favourites. I loved his racing pattern and the fact that he was so tough. He ran good times and raced right through to the Golden Slipper, always acquitting himself well which was testament to his toughness.
Sean Dingwall (Principal / Owner)
www.tyreel.com
Ph: 0414 555 901 | E: sean@bluegumfarm.com.au
Linda Monds
Mark Lindsay (Sales & Nominations Manager)
m: 0427 948 244
Ph: 0474 347 252 | E: mark@bluegumfarm.com.au
e: linda@tyreel.com
BOWNESS Stud
James and Joss Daly are looking forward to taking a nice selection of yearlings to the Gold Coast with a highlight of the Bowness Stud draft being nine youngsters by resident stallion D’Argento.
The winner of four races including the Rosehill Guineas-Gr1, 2000m, the son of So You Think (one of that great horse’s 11 Group 1 winners) has made a most encouraging start to his stud career, the handsome grey having three stakes performers amongst his first eight winners.
“He is being represented in a lot of major races and doing well,” Daly said, adding that he is “enjoying the ride” of watching a promising young stallion progress. He sires outstanding types who are showing up early but who are just going to keep improving as they mature.”
Daly is very happy with the Magic Millions bound yearlings by D’Argento, noting that there is particular Bowness attachment to a filly (Lot 941) out of the Commands mare Singho who was bred and raced by the stud’s John North. “She is a really nice filly from a family that has been good to us,”
Daly said of the grey whose dam is a half-sister to the Bowness bred dual stakes winner Choistar.
Three other D’Argento fillies go through the ring for Bowness, Lot 1137 from the prolific Triscay family, Lot 1290 bred on an interesting
3mx3m cross of So You Think’s high achieving sire High Chaparral and Lot 1363 out of a half-sister to the Group 1 placed multiple city winner Antonio Giuseppe.
Then there are the five colts including Lot 793 whose dam is a half-sister to the high class sprinter Giga Kick from the internationally prolific Stolen Hour family, Lot 1068 out of a city winning daughter of the Group 2 mare Mardi’s Magic (grandam of the recently retired Group 1 sprinting mare Chain of Lightning) and Lot 1190 out of a daughter of the Listed winner Indarra.
Daly is happy with the mixture of other stallions represented, including the stallion he describes as “really being on the move.”
That being last season’s Champion First Season Sire, the triple Group 1 winning Dubawi horse Too Darn Hot who has a colt (Lot 177) out of the well related American Pharoah mare Asteroidea. A winner at debut at two, she is a daughter of the Group 3 placed Redoute’s Choice mare Starfish whose dam, the Group 1 sprinter Stella Cadente, is a granddaughter of the wonderful matriarch Eau D’Etoile.
This Too Darn Hot/Redoute’s Choice cross is already kicking goals with the triple Group 1 winner Broadsiding, who acquitted himself so well
in the W.S. Cox Plate-Gr1, 2040m, and the Listed winner Silmarillion amongst the first handful of runners bred this way.
Other young, up-and-coming stallions with yearlings in the Bowness line up include: Zousain, Lot 567, a half-sister to the stakes placed Kimberley Star; Yes Yes Yes, two including Lot 1381, out of the four time winning Written Tycoon mare Shrug from the Denise’s Joy family; Peltzer, Lot 666, a half-brother to the stakes placed Statuario; King’s Legacy, Lot 1074, out of a city winning daughter of Bonanova; Brutal, Lot 448, out of a half-sister to the Group 2 mare Bennetta; Tiger Of Malay, Lot 1395, out of a three time winning member of a strong Godolphin/Woodlands family; Acrobat, Lot 1372, out of a city winning Sebring mare and Cool Aza Beel, two including Lot 1224, from the family of Think It Over.
Several proven stallions also have nice yearlings in the Bowness draft, such as: Capitalist, Lot 6, out of the stakes winner Tarquinn Shadow; Pride Of Dubai, Lot 124, out of a Deep Impact daughter of a South African Group 1 winner; All Too Hard, Lot 151, out of a half-sister to the stakes winner La Chasseuse; Toronado, Lot 469, a 3/4 brother to the tough and popular dual Group winner Still A Star; Astern, Lot 1384, out of a city winning sister to the high class racehorse and
stallion Pierro; Trapeze Artist, Lot 1042, out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Anjana and Better Than Ready, Lot 1180, out of a Redoute’s Choice half-sister to the marvellous galloper Zipping.
Question time with James Daly... What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
Going into farming and the thoroughbred industry! You take a big gamble every year.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
When you start something, stick with it and be patient.
Do you prefer calls or texts?
Calls, I like to get the narrative right, to have things in context which is easier when speaking with people directly.
www.bownessstud.com.au
James Daly 0428 821 390 1238 Moppity Rd, Young NSW 2594
2025 draft
6 Br./C Capitalist Tarquinn Shadow
124 B. or Br./F Pride of Dubai Abr Al Hudood (JPN)
151 Br./C All Too Hard Amour Vole
177 B./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Asteroidea
448 B./C Brutal (NZ) Gotmethinking
469 Ch./C Toronado (IRE) Heavenly Bridges
567 B./F Zousain Kiss the Sun
666 B./C Peltzer Miss Entice
793 B./C D’Argento Popular Acclaim
941 Gr./F D’Argento Singho
1042 Gr./C Trapeze Artist Trust Her 1068 Gr./C D’Argento Wrong Bias
1074 B./F King’s Legacy Zero Tolerance 1075 B./C D’Argento Zoffany Rose
1121 Ch./C Yes Yes Yes Caper
1123 B./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Capnicconi
1137 Gr./F D’Argento Cosmology
1180 B./F Better Than Ready Flirtare
1190 B./C D’Argento Genie
1223 Br./C D’Argento I’m a Jewel
1224 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Il Professionale
1290 B./F D’Argento Miss November (NZ)
1363 Br. or Gr./F D’Argento Savabeel Dynasty (NZ)
1372 B./F Acrobat She Brings Hope 1381 Ch./C Yes Yes Yes Shrug
1384 B./C Astern Snow White
1395 B./C Tiger of Malay Streets of Suemori
CANNON HAYES Stud
Launching a new business just before the COVID pandemic outbreak was fraught timing for Irishman Dave Morrissey and equine veterinarian
Dr Lucy Cudmore, but when that business is a stud farm, isolation mostly means staying on the farm. From those complicated beginnings when Australia was plunged into uncertainty, Morrissey and Cudmore have grown Cannon Hayes into a beautiful property designed to grow equine athletes.
Their first Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft was in 2022, and already has six winners among the graduates of that inaugural draft including promising four year-old gelding Harry Got Styles (Harry Angel) who has won three of his seven starts for trainer Matt Laurie.
Situated just outside Scone, Cannon Hayes offers first class equine services with improved pastures and large paddocks with safe fencing and plenty of shade for horses. Morrissey, who grew up in Ireland, has extensive experience across many of Australia’s best
stud farms, while Cudmore works at Scone Equine Centre’s Intensive Care Unit and brings that specialised knowledge home to Cannon Hayes.
Their second draft, now three year-olds, has already produced Ferinzo (Cosmic Force) who won at his second start recently. It is, of course, far too early in the season for their 2024 draft to have raced, but it is promising that six of their eight graduates, who have just turned two, have already been named.
In 2025, Cannon Hayes will present a select draft of eight yearlings, with seven by proven sires with one by first season sire Gr1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky who stands at Widden Stud. One of the highlights is the three-quarter-brother to triple Gr1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro), Lot 165, is a Pierro colt from winning mare Arcadia Delight (Domesday).
A half-brother to Gr2 Todman Stakes-placed and Golden Gift-placed Shalatin, this colt’s dam is a full sister to Gr2 WA Derby winner Arcadia Dream (Domesday) and a half-sister to triple Gr1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro),
ARCADIA QUEEN (by Pierro) was a triple Gr1 winner and Australia’s Champion Female Sprinter, focussing the spotlight on Lot 165, Cannon Hayes’ Pierro colt who is a ¾ brother to the champion.
Situated
Gr3 winner Arcadia Prince (Pierro) and Listed winner Arcadia Rose (Kheleyf).
With four Gr1 winning juveniles in 2024, Wootton Bassett is on fire, and Cannon Hayes is proud to present a filly, Lot 179, a very precocious type from a big, black type international family. She has lots of quality, her half-brother by Frankel sold for $725K last year to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. She is from young unraced Invincible Spirit mare Aubade, who is a half-sister to Listed winners Oh Beautiful (Galileo), Freedom’s Light (Galileo) and Face The Facts (Nathaniel). This is the family of Gr1 winners Auguste Rodin, Rhododendron, Magical, Halfway To Heaven, Victoria Road, Photo Call and Cross Counter. One of the world’s finest.
The Portland Sky colt, Lot 599, is the second live foal of winning mare Lil’ Angel (Wandjina) from the family of Yarraman Park Stud’s successful sire Hellbent. Lil’ Angel is a three-quarter-sister to Gr2 Dane Ripper Stakes-placed Platinum Angel (Snitzel).
Tassort is flying and Lot 28 is a colt from Tiersam (Stratum), a three-quarter-sister to four-time Gr1 winner Streama (Stratum) who won ten races and over $2.6million. Golden Slipper runnerup, winner of 11 races and $1.7million Decision Time is also a member of this family.
Grey filly, Lot 66, by proven sire Maurice is sure to catch the eye, and she’s the first foal of winning mare Vanilla Sky (All Too Hard), a half-sister to Gr1 winner and emerging young sire D’Argento who is out of Listed winner Fullazz. Proven sire Capitalist has a colt, Lot 341 who is the third foal of good racemare Dyslexic who won four times and placed in group company on four occasions. This is the family of Trusting, Legible and Waihora’s Lass.
Buyers looking for residual value should inspect Lot 746, a Russian Revolution half-sister to last season’s good galloper Midnight In Tokyo who won five and placed in group company, as well as stakes placed winner Generosity who is also in training. This pedigree could easily provide upgrades between now and the sale, especially with the presence of this season’s Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci under second dam Gr1 winner Bel Mer.
A young property combined with science and equine knowledge, Cannon Hayes enjoyed their first stakes winner with Itza Charmdeel (Charm Spirit) who was born and raised at Cannon Hayes before being exported to New Zealand where he was also 4th in the Wanganui Guineas.
Dave and Lucy and the Cannon Hayes team will be ready for inspections of their 2025 draft in Stable QF 9-16.
Sire
Blk. or G./F Maurice (JPN) Vanilla Sky
B./C Pierro Arcadia Delight
B./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Aubade (GB) 341 Br./C Capitalist Dyslexic
599 Br. or Gr./C Portland Sky Lil’ Angel
632 Ch./F Toronado (IRE) Major Wager
746 B./F Russian Revolution Orabelle
www.cannonhayesstud.com.au
2923 New England Highway Scone NSW 2337
Dave Morrissey: 0417 667 202 Director and General Manager dave@cannonhayesstud.com.au 28 B./C Tassort Tiersamo
COLLINGROVEStud
Ever since he started breeding and preparing yearlings, Collingrove Stud’s Daniel Brash has had one dream, to get horses good enough to venture to the Magic Millions.
It is an ambition he fulfills at this sale with a select draft of four yearlings which he could not be more excited about.
“This is the sale everyone wants to go to,” he enthused, “and having targeted it for years we are delighted to have four horses we think really suit the Gold Coast.”
Lot 71 brown/black colt by Satono Aladdin from Vertiginous (Sweynesse)
By the Yasuda Kinen-Gr1, 1600m winner who has done so well with his first couple of crops, he is the first foal produced by a daughter of the stakes winner Vercors. Hailing from the same family as the Group 1 winners Pignan and Lord Ted, he can also boast amongst his relations the stakes winners Hasselhoof, Jay Bee Gee, Champion Star and William Wallace.
A member of the famous New Zealand “Belle” family, he boasts a cross of The Queen’s mare Highclere, winner of the French Oaks-Gr1, 2100m and the English 1000 Guineas-Gr1, 1600m.
A high class broodmare, Highclere is the third dam of Deep Impact who has amongst his 58 Group 1 winners Satono Aladdin.
Highclere is proving her worth as a line-breeding subject; successes including the stakes winners Stella Veloce, Listed winners Rage Of Bamby, Asuka Biren and Royal Spring.
“He is a lovely athlete,” Brash said. “He is not necessarily an early two year-old type but he is a great mover and the sort of horse who learns everything really, really quickly.”
Lot 999 bay colt by Exceedance from Striking Meteor (Northern Meteor)
This fellow is the third foal for a half-sister to the Belle Of The Turf Stakes-Gr3, 1600m winner Ammirata. What an outstanding family this is, that of the big race winners A.P. Indy, Duke Of Marmalade, Court Vision, Ruler Of The World, Summer Squall, Wolfhound, Lemon Drop Kid, Happy Saver, Raging Sea and Profondo. Striking Meteor’s second foal Heavenly Impact is showing good ability, flashing home at his Gold Coast debut before taking on topliners such as Broadsiding in stakes races on unsuitably rain affected tracks at his next three outings.
“I think he will come out and give me a pedigree page update before the sale,” Brash said, finding it impossible to conceal his excitement regarding this home bred colt.
“He is the real deal, everything you’d want in a horse for this sale. He is strong and mature with a massive forearm, a great girth and big hindquarters. He is a very well balanced horse with sensational movement. You dream of breeding a horse like him!”
And he is very happy to have his mare back in foal to Exceedance.
Lot 1319 bay colt by King’s Legacy from Palace Girl (American Pharoah)
This handsome colt from the second crop of his popular sire is the first foal for Palace Girl who has stakes winners as her first two dams; the four time Group winning Fastnet Rock mare Formality and the Singapore Horse Of The Year Jolie’s Shinju.
Jolie’s Shinju has done well at stud with seven of her eight to race being winners. Formality is the best of those. And she has made a nice start to her stud career with her lightly raced first foal
Col/Sex Sire
110 Day Road, Murchison Victoria Daniel Brash 0439360266 dan@collingrovestud.com.au www.collingrovestud.com.au
Pray For Mir (a $950,000 yearling) a recent winner in Hong Kong whilst her second Perfect Excuse (a $400,000 purchase) has shown ability at the jump outs for Ciaron Maher.
“He is not as big as the other two colts but there is absolutely nothing to find fault with. He is a neat horse with beautiful movement, balance and a great brain. He is going to present really nicely.”
Lot 1331 bay filly by Admire Mars from Princess Charlotte (Redoute’s Choice)
The oldest local progeny for her multiple Group 1 winning sire have just turned two and he has already been represented by 15 winners in his first northern hemisphere crop. Bred on the same successful Sunday Silence/Redoute’s Choice cross as Hitotsu and Profondo, this filly is out of a mare whose first two foals are both promising winners. She is a full sister to the Group 3 placed King’s Troop and to the dam of Private Eye.
Princess Charlotte’s grandam is the dual stakes winning high class broodmare Snippets’ Lass, dam of Snitzel and the Group 3 winners Viennese and Hinchinbrook. Rediener joins Private Eye as a Epsom Handicap-Gr1, 1600m winner from this prolific local speed family.
Whilst part of the Collingrove draft, this filly has been prepared by Blue Gum Farm whose Sean Dingwell said that “she is typical of the stallion, very correct with a great walk; and that is what I really like about her as I think Magic Millions did as well.”
Question time with Daniel Brash...
Describe your perfect day.
Eating great food with a nice bottle of wine at a good Chinese restaurant, probably Bamboo House (in Melbourne’s Chinatown), we have been going there for years.
What is your favourite memory?
Backing my favourite horses as a kid. I’d go to the TAB and tell them my Mum had sent me to put money in her phone account, then I’d go out to the pay phone and put my bets on! The first horse I loved was Expected Journey, I remember winning $50 on him as a 13YO which was a big deal back then! And watching the Bonecrusher/Our Waverley Star Cox Plate, that race really got me into it.
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
I backed Chapada at 125-1 in the Victoria Derby-Gr1, 2500m before he won his maiden at Wangaratta and I still think that race as being the one that got away as he ran a great third and was a good thing beaten. I prepared him when I was at Bowness and I always follow those horses, they are my kids!
Exceedance
CRESSFIELD
Bruce Neill’s Cressfield, located on the outskirts of Scone in some of Australia’s finest horse country has been developed into one of Australia’s leading producers of quality thoroughbreds. A dedicated team of outstanding horsepeople led by Wayne Bedggood and Liesl Wickson has seen the farm achieve outstanding results both in the sale ring and on the racetrack.
With Gr1 winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) currently flying the flag for Cressfield’s recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale drafts, as well as group winners Passive Aggressive, Jamaea and Hellfest, there is plenty to like about Cressfield’s latest crop of up and coming youngsters.
Cressfield will present 12 yearlings in 2025 with yearling manager Kim Rieck providing comments on several of the draft.
A half-brother, by exciting first season sire Home Affairs, to stakes placed winner Spring Lee (Zoustar), Lot 96, is from Gr2 winner and Gr1 AJ Moir Stakes-placed Wild Rain. “A late foal who still has a lot of growing and maturing to do, saying that he is big and strong for his age, he has a lovely fluid walk, really gets along, big overstep, good bone, good hindquarters, great
temperament and is a absolute pleasure to work with taking everything in his stride.”
A half-brother to Gr3 winner Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice), Lot 3, is a Maurice colt whose dam is an unraced half-sister to Gr1 winner Zip Zip Aray and Listed winner Zipanese, as well as to the stakes placed winning dam of Gr1 winner Communist. “A well developed, good looking forward type of colt.”
The first foal of Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes winner Adelong is a Capitalist filly, Lot 127. Adelong is from the family of Gr1 winner Snowland, and Gr2 winner Portillo. “A compact filly, she has a nice head, short barrel and short cannon.”
A pair of Zousain yearlings are sure to be hot, given their sire’s strong start at stud. The full sister to 2024 Gr3 Red Roses Stakes winner Amelita (Zousain), Lot 662 is out of Miss Amelia. “A lovely big strong filly, she is well put together, big nostrils and carries a presence with her whenever she walks out of the barn, she will draw plenty of attention at parades and at the sale.”
Lot 629 is a colt from Magic Amelia, who is a “strong solid colt, good bone, good feet, lovely stride and good shoulder and hindquarters.”
Bruce Neill’s Cressfield, located on the outskirts of Scone in some of Australia’s finest horse country has been developed into one of Australia’s leading producers of quality thoroughbreds.
3 Br. or Blk./C Maurice (JPN) Tamarind Lane
96 B./C Home Affairs Wild Rain
127 Ch./F Capitalist Adelong
629 B./C Zousain Magic Amelia
662 Br./F Zousain Miss Amelia
825 Ch./C Russian Revolution Quilista
837 B./F Capitalist Regimental Band
930 B./F All Too Hard Shoboard
1114 B./C Headwater Black ‘n’ Tough
1238 Ch./F Headwater Jeu de Cartes (NZ)
1298 B./F All Too Hard Modernity
1380 B./C Bivouac Shrill (GB)
A Russian Revolution colt from tough racemare Gr2 winner Quilista, who won nine races, and whose first foal has already won three races, is Lot 825. “A beautifully marked colt, while he is a late foal he is a developing type and taking great benefit from the prep.”
Capitalist filly, Lot 837, is the second foal of Listed placed winner Regimental Band, who is a daughter of Gr3 Triscay Stakes winner Lilliburlero, who is a daughter of dual Gr1 winner Regimental Gal. “A strong willed filly, with a strong shoulder, short back and cannon.” Cressfield has had spectacular success with All Too Hard daughter Stefi Magnetica, and in 2025, they present two yearling fillies by the stallion. Lot 930, from Listed winner Shoboard has huge residual value, being a half-sister to Granny Red Shoes, dam of High Octane, and to the dam of Brave Spirit. “A later born, feminine filly that enjoys her work.”
The other All Too Hard filly is Lot 1298, and is the second foal of Modernity, a winning half-sister to Gr1 winner Onemorenomore. “Stamped by her sire, she’s strong, has a broad chest, and a good shoulder.”
A pair of Headwater yearlings include Lot 1238, a daughter of Gr2 Counties Cup winner Jeu De Cartes, making this filly a half-sister to stakes placed winner Merited. “A beautifully balanced appealing filly, strong and good walking.” The colt, Lot 1114, is from dual Listed winner of 13 races, Black ‘n’ Tough. “He’s a big colt, who covers plenty of ground, has a good walk, strong shoulder and good length of rein.”
Bivouac colt, Lot 1380, from stakes placed winner of two races at two, Shrill is a “compact colt with a short cannon.” Shrill is a half-sister to Gr2 Royal Ascot Ribblesdale Stakes winner Silkwood.
What is on your bucket list?
I would love to participate in the Variety Bash one year! And I would love to see more of the world!
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life? My family.
If there was one chore you never had to do again, what would it be?
“House chores!”
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“Perhaps not the best, but the most memorable to me. I started at Cressfield in 2013, and was cheering on a horse called Sweet Idea, who I had previously worked with and taken through the ring as a yearling (for Arrowfield). Sweet Idea was only just beaten by a horse called Real Surreal, who Cressfield purchased in 2016.” Real Surreal missed in 2022, so doesn’t have a yearling to sell in 2025. She has had two foals to race for two winners, Surreal I Am and Dream Of Venus.
www.tyreel.com
Linda Monds
m: 0427 948 244
www.cressfield.com.au 02 6545 0500 liesl@cressfield.com.au Parkville, NSW
e: linda@tyreel.com
EMIRATES Park
Emirates Park had an amazing season with their juveniles last year thanks to Manaal and Ameena. The two homebreds were joined by Magic Millions Gold Coast draft sale graduate Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) who Emirates Park sold for $1.6million. The year before they sold group winners Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) and Sassy Boom (Spirit Of Boom).
“We have a larger than normal draft for 2025 and are selling on behalf of some great clients in Merrick’s Station, Ozzie Kheir as well as Senga and Ivan Bissett and Catherine Remond. It’s an exciting draft and we have a horse for everyone,” said Emirates Park’s Bryan Carlson.
In 2025, Emirates Park will present a draft of 21 yearlings, with loads of black type across all the horses on offer, and led by the highly commercial prospect, a Gun Runner colt out of Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab. Estijaab was an expensive yearling herself, being a daughter of Gr1 winner Response and Snitzel, and has already produced stakes placed winner Ejaabiyah (Frankel).
Gun Runner is one of America’s leading young sires with ten Gr1 winners already under his belt from only three crops. He stands at Three Chimneys Farm for US$250,000.
Zoustar filly, Lot 955, is the first foal of Listed Dalrello Stakes winner Smart ‘n’ Sexy (Smart Missile) who was a speedy early runner from a strong colonial family which includes several precocious sprinters such as Cannonball, Golconda and Marine One.
The full sister to dual Gr3 winner Charm Stone and Listed winner Najmaty, by Australia’s current multiple Champion Sire I Am Invincible out of Gr3 winner Najoom (Northern Meteor) is likely to be a headline act given that Emirates Park sold Charm Stone for $1.55 million at this sale in 2022.
Victor Ludorum filly, Lot 790, nabbed a pedigree upgrade when her half-brother Pisces won the Gr3 Blue Sapphire Stakes over the spring carnival. She is a daughter of stakes placed winner Pleiades (Redoute’s Choice).
Given the success that Emirates Park has had with the progeny of Tassort, their five yearlings by him should be on everyone’s inspection list, led by Lot 935 a colt from Gr2 winner Shumookh (Dream Ahead) who is a daughter of Emirates Park raced triple Gr1 winner Shamekha (Secret Savings). From the same family is Lot 911, a Tassort filly from stakes placed winner Shahad (Fastnet Rock).
Emirates Park had an amazing season with their juveniles last year thanks to Manaal and Ameena.
The third foal of Gr1 Queensland Oaks winner Winning Ways is Lot 99, a Tagaloa filly, while Lot 340, a colt by The Autumn Sun, is out of imported Listed winner Dynamic Lips (Excellent Art). Kingman filly, Lot 871, has plenty of residual value being out of a winning Frankel daughter of Emirates Park raced Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, which is also the family of Bodyguard.
Other stallions with yearlings in Emirates Park’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft are Acrobat, All Too Hard, Brazen Beau, Capitalist, Outreach, So You Think and Street Boss.
Emirates Park’s magnificent Murrurundi Farm has gained a well deserved reputation in the industry as a winner producing farm and the 2025 Magic Millions draft is certain to maintain the tradition.
67 B. or Br./F Tassort Varenna Miss
78 Br./C Street Boss (USA) Vivi Valentina
99 Ch./F Tagaloa Winning Ways
186 B./F Tassort Azyaan
340 Ch./C The Autumn Sun Dynamic Lips (IRE)
369 Ch./C Gun Runner (USA) Estijaab
430 B./C Tassort Gharaam
572 Br./F So You Think (NZ) Kylia (USA)
653 Br./C Brazen Beau Melo Melo
710 B./F I Am Invincible Najoom
730 B./F I Am Invincible Nordic Charm
776 B. or Br./C Acrobat Phylicia
790 B./F Victor Ludorum (GB) Pleiades
823 B./F Capitalist Quick Verse
871 B./F Kingman (GB) Sadmah (GB)
911 B./F Tassort Shahad
935 Br./C Tassort Shumookh
936 Ch./F All Too Hard Shuwaamekh
955 B./F Zoustar Smart ‘n’ Sexy (NZ)
985 B./C So You Think (NZ) St Remy
1081 B./F Outreach Adriatic
Murrurundi NSW 2338 www.emiratespark.com.au
Bryan Carlson: 0415 275 885 e: bryan@emiratespark.com.au
EUREKA Stud
Eureka Stud boasts a long proud Magic Millions history and many of the yearlings they take to the 2025 sale have recent stakes winning graduates amongst their relations. Inspecting their horses can take a buyer to good places with an amazing 16 of their sale yearlings making it to the 2024 Magic Millions race day.
Leading the way in the Eureka draft are a dozen by their high achieving stallion Spirit Of Boom; one filly and eleven colts.
The sole filly (Lot 491) is out of the dual city winner Beneteau mare Hussterical; a full sister to the stakes winner Lady Jivago from the prolific Easy Date family of Magic Millions hero Snippets.
She is one of many members of the draft whose dams are metropolitan winners, others being Lot 176 out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Assertory who has already produced two very nice Spirit of Booms; the exciting two-year-old Extractor who has placed in the ATC Golden Gift at his only start and also the promising General Boom.
Also proven with Spirit Of Boom is Boomalicious, dam of the stakes placed gallopers Boomtown Lass and Tick Tock Boom; between them the winner of twelve races. Their brother is Lot 226.
Frosty Mango (Lot 423) and her stakes winning dam Pure Purrfection (Lot 810) both have colts, the latter already dam of Spirit Of Boom’s stakes winners Outback Barbie and Barbie’s Sister. Sadly she died recently, this fellow her first and only colt. And another mare who has proven affinity for the reliably classy stallion is Malasun (Lot 635), dam of the Listed winner Malaboom whilst Lot 1326 is a 3/4 brother to the Listed winner Sugar Boom.
Other well related Spirit Of Boom yearlings include Lot 364 out of a city winning half-sister to the dual Group winner Good Standing, Lot 1195 from the Skating family and Lot
1248 whose dam La Fluorescent is the grandam of the recent Group One winner Captured By Love. Eureka have strived to continually upgrade the mares visiting Spirit Of Boom, Harry McAlpine noting that “he keeps doing the job for us so we will keep supporting him.”
Eureka also have a couple of fillies by Spirit Of Boom’s best son Jonker; a half-brother to the Group 3 placed Brooklyn (Lot 1108) and a daughter of the Written Tycoon mare Prasiolite whose dam is the Group 3 mare Jade Marauder. A wide variety of outside stallions have been utilised by Eureka in recent years and when asked if Spirit Of Boom’s success is the reason the farm and its clients have been able to spend more on mares in service fees he said “100%, we owe it all to him!”
A couple of Champion Sires are represented with McAlpine “excited” to be selling a filly (Lot 722) by I Am Invincible out of the Listed winner Niedorp (her first foal) as well as a couple of Snitzel colts; Lot 541 out of the Listed winner Jennifer Lynn and Lot 800 out of the Group 1 mare Princess Jenni. “We like to mix things up a bit,” McAlpine said in regard to stallion choices, “we pick a horse we like and then see who suits him.”
This has led to Eureka ending up with yearlings by such successful stallions as So You Think, Hellbent, Capitalist (Lot 1140 a 3/4 brother to the Group 1 sprinter Pippie), Pierata and Better Than Ready; those last two the sire of yearlings; Lots 1309 and 1335 from Spirit Of Boom’s family.
There are also a couple by the up-and-comer Too Darn Hot including one rather special to Eureka, a colt out of the Grania McAlpine bred Queensland Oaks-Gr1, 2400m winner Tinto (Lot 32). “We note that the progeny of younger stallions are always popular,” McAlpine said and those sort of horses are well represented in the draft.
Eureka Stud boast a long proud Magic Millions history and many of the yearlings they take to the 2025 sale have recent stakes winning graduates amongst their relations.
Such as: King’s Legacy including a colt, Lot 763 out of the dual stakes winner Paprika; Bivouac, including a filly, Lot 34 out of the Listed winner Tiyatrolani; Wild Ruler, a filly, Lot 663 out of a Spirit Of Boom sister to the stakes winner Perudo; Stay Inside, Lot 216, a colt out of a city winning half-sister to the Listed winner Fox Swift; Pinatubo, Lot 401, a half-brother to the Listed winner Hypothetical and Portland Sky, Lot 882, a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Fashion Legend.
As well as: Home Affairs, a colt and a filly, Lots 734 and 833 out of stakes winners Notonyourlife and Rebel Assault, the latter a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Siren Assault; Cool Aza Beel, Lot 305, a half-sister to the Group 2 winning mare Heatherly, dam of the Group 3 winner Red Resistance and Lot 794 out of a stakes placed mare from the family of Stay Inside; and Anders, Lot 1043, out of a six time winning daughter of stakes winner Talaga.
McAlpine is excited about the next generation regarding Spirit Of Boom, noting that as a broodmare sire he already has a very nice one in the shape of Stoli Bolli.
And one of the two Eureka yearlings (Lot 1082) by resident stallion
Encryption is out of a Spirit Of Boom mare Ah La Boom whose first two foals by that stallion are city winners with her three year old Data Scramble looking like a potential stakes horse.
Encryption’s other colt, 1149, is out of the good producer Defiant Dame, a Listed winning half-sister to the Group 3 galloper Hidden Warrior.
Question time with Harry McAlpine ...
Describe your perfect day.
Having every horse to be safe and sound and getting a winner!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The harder you work, the luckier you become.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
We are fans of General Nediym, he has been good to us as the dam sire of Outback Barbie and Barbie’s Sister.
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
32 B./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Tinto
34 B./F Bivouac Tiyatrolani
47 B. or Br./C So You Think (NZ) Transversale
118 Br./C Bivouac Zoom By
176 B./C Spirit of Boom Assertory
216 B./C Stay Inside Bleu Zebra
226 B. or Br./C Spirit of Boom Boomalicious
305 Br./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Dancing Heather
364 B./C Spirit of Boom Envy of All
401 B./C Pinatubo (IRE) Fitna
423 B./C Spirit of Boom Frosty Mango
474 B./F Too Darn Hot (GB) High Above
491 B./F Spirit of Boom Hussterical
541 B./C Snitzel Jennifer Lynn
635 Br./C Spirit of Boom Malasun
663 B./F Wild Ruler Miss Clicquot
722 B./F I Am Invincible Niedorp
734 B./C Home Affairs Notonyourlife
763 Ch./C King’s Legacy Paprika
794 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Pouting Lips
800 B. or Br./C Snitzel Princess Jenni (NZ)
810 B./C Spirit of Boom Pure Purrfection
833 Ch./F Home Affairs Rebel Assault (IRE)
882 B./C Portland Sky Sarong (NZ)
1031 B. or Br./C Hellbent This is Your Life
1043 Ch./F Anders Tumbling Dice 1082 Br./C Encryption Ah la Boom
1097 B. or Br./F Spirit of Boom Argie Bargie
1108 B./F Jonker Believe ‘n Achieve
1140 Ch./C Capitalist Coupe Express
1149 Ch./C Encryption Defiant Dame 1177 B./F King’s Legacy False Step
1195 B./C Spirit of Boom Glaciers
1248 Br./C Spirit of Boom La Fluorescent (NZ)
1309 B. or Br./C Pierata Nicci’s Spirit
1326 B./C Spirit of Boom Pinpoint
1330 B./F Jonker Prasiolite
1335 Br./F Better Than Ready Prue’s Angel 1361 B./C Spirit of Boom Saone (NZ)
www.eurekastud.com.au
Eureka Stud, Cambooya, QLD 4358
Harry McAlpine: 0407 736 317
Scott McAlpine: 0408 700 724
Angus McAlpine: 0417 745 347 harry@eurekastud.com.au
Aim to win with a Highgrove yearling
HIGHGROVE Stud
There have been few better seasons than 2024 on Queensland’s fertile Darling Downs, and there have been few better years for the Downs’ renowned Highgrove Stud with horses bred, raised and sold there lighting up Australian racetracks in spectacular style.
Ron Gilbert spoke to Bluebloods about recent developments at Highgrove leading up to the 2025 Magic Millions where the farm’s six lot offering is one of its finest ever.
“Highgrove has never looked better, the trees have matured and the paddocks reflect the great season we’ve had. The quality end of the market is very strong around the world and everyone is competing to stay in that space. This year our three most recent additions to the broodmare band are all stakeswinners and I’m constantly looking to upgrade our pedigrees.
A lot of thought and effort goes into the Highgrove matings and apart from achieving strong results in the ring, without which we can’t survive, it’s the long term results on the racetrack that maintain Highgrove’s reputation.
So I couldn’t be more pleased with the efforts of Highgrove bred and raised runners on the track in 2024.
Fearless did a wonderful job running 3rd in the Gr1 ATC Champagne S to champion 2yo Broadsiding and was a Gr3 runner up as well. His Russian Revolution half-brother is in this draft and is just the mare’s third foal.
We also had another stakes winning 2yo Aardvark, winner of the time-honoured Listed Talindert S and placed at Gr3 level as well. His Bivouac halfsister is our first yearling into the ring in 2025.
You would have to go a long, long way to see a more impressive maiden winner than the Capitalist filly Break Free whom we sold for $110k to Jamie Walter and O’Dea/Hoysted racing. She’s in good hands and we should hear more from her. Then to continue the success, Aerial Dancer is delivering on the early promise she showed with stylish wins at her two most recent starts. With five victories from just 10 starts she looks a stakeswinner in waiting.
And the great run continued when Amazing Eagle won the Listed Brian Crowley S 1200m at Randwick first up during the Spring carnival in the very fast time of 1.08.66 having been Gr3 placed in the Black Opal prior to his spell.”
With results like that and a proud record of producing Gr1 performers and stakeswinners such as Wanted, Thronum and Summer Passage, the 2025 Magic Millions draft is one Ron Gilbert is justifiably excited about. He offered comments on the six youngsters, which by a stroke of tremendous fortune are all going through the ring on the third day of the sale, Thursday 9th of January.
First into the ring will be Lot 481, a bay filly by Bivouac from Hollywood Mistress (by All American).
“This filly is a well grown, powerful early foal and is a half-sister to current 2yo stakes winner Aardvark. She’s a good mover and from the family that produced Gr1 winner Summer Passage for Highgrove.”
A lot of thought and effort goes into the Highgrove matings.
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam 2025 draft
481 B./F Bivouac Hollywood Mistress
548 B./C Toronado (IRE) Just a Blur
644 Ch./C Russian Revolution Matildare
664 B./C Pierata Miss Delveen
698 Br./C Stay Inside Murchison
700 B./C Snitzel Museo (GB)
www.highgrovestud.com.au
Ron Gilbert: 0418 700 007
Westbrook, Darling Downs, Queensland
Lot 548 is a bay colt by Toronado from Just A Blur (by Dane Shadow).
“ Toronado is a wonderful stallion and this colt is a powerfully built, forward type by him who I felt would really suit this Magic Millions sale. He is a lovely yearling, a great mover, correct, well grown with lots of scope. He really looks like he means business.”
Lot 644 is a chestnut colt by Russian Revolution from Matildare (by Rothesay)
This is an attractive colt who is a half-brother to this season’s Gr1 placed 2yo Fearless. He’s from the family of Champion racehorse and successful sire Starspangledbanner and multimillionaire Okita Soushi. He has a great action and is beautifully put together behind.”
Lot 664 is a bay colt by Pierata from Miss Delveen (by Encosta de Lago).
“Admired by everyone who has seen him. This colt is beautifully proportioned and has a lot of the Encosta de Lago look about him.”
Lot 698 is a brown colt by Stay Inside from Murchison (by More Than Ready).
“This colt is an impressive looking athlete with a stallion’s head and simply a quality individual from every angle. He’s by an outstanding Golden Slipper winner and bred on the Gr1 cross of Not A Single Doubt sires over More Than Ready mares. I’m confident that when buyers inspect him they will agree that he is one of the best we’ve ever sent to a sale from Highgrove.”
Lot 700 is by Snitzel from Museo (by Teofilo).
“This colt is by quadruple champion sire Snitzel from a granddaughter of Blue Hen mare Helen Street. He really has a massive action and is out of the family of champions Street Cry, Shamardal and Victor Ludorum. He’s bred on the Danehill/ Galileo cross which has produced Frankel and The Autumn Sun among a very long list of elite gallopers.”
Ron Gilbert took time out to answer some questions for Bluebloods.
Describe your perfect day?
That would be one where no emails came in.
What is your favourite beach on the Gold Coast?
There’s a beautiful one called Greenmount Beach on the western side of Snapper Rocks. Highly recommended. What is on your bucket list?
Definitely a world cruise.
Winning Gr1 performer Fearless
KAHA NUI Farm
The accent is very much on family at Kaha Nui Farm, who will sell for the first time under their own banner at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The burgeoning Waikato-based operation will offer a quality mix of seven colts and a brace of fillies at the January 7-13 auction.
Kaha Nui was established five years ago when Nick and Nicky White purchased their Mystery Creek property and subsequently embarked on an ongoing course of investment and development. “We just leased the farm next door to expand and that gives us just under 100 acres,” Nicky White said.
“We have completely refenced the property, done a huge amount of planting and we’ve got an 800 metre sand track to help with our yearling preparations. We are also taking on more and more spellers.”
Nicky White is an experienced and successful real estate agent who specialises in high end rural lifestyle properties while husband Nick is a former professional rugby player who then moved into coaching with the Chiefs but is now fully focussed on the thoroughbred operation. “It’s very much about family and Nick decided to go in boots and all and retired from his coaching role this year,” she said.
“He is the day-to-day operations manager at Kaha Nui and the whole family are involved with our son Toby and his partner Flo being very hands on, everyone is really enjoying it. Our daughter Charli currently works for Carlaw Park, and our youngest Holly is coming across to the sale with us with a view to marketing. I’m very lucky to have the A-team running the show.”
Kaha Nui (Maori for great strength) are keen to build on the success of 12 months ago when they dipped a toe into the Gold Coast water and were delighted with the outcome. “We put them through Twin Hills Stud’s draft, we prepped them right until the time they got on the plane and Olly Tait sold them for us,” White said. “We had a beautiful Proisir filly that made $450,000 and went to Brad Widdup and we’re looking forward to her next steps.” Their son of Proisir was sold for $140,000 with Richard and Will Freedman and Tubba Bloodstock signing for the colt.
In 2025, Kaha Nui will be offering half a-dozen youngsters of their own at the Gold Coast and three for clients, which includes a Satono Aladdin colt, Lot 515, who is a brother to the winner and Australian Guineas-Gr1 and Alister Clark Stakes-Gr2 placegetter Japanese Emperor. The Proisir colt, Lot 556, who is a three-quarter brother to the Tarzino TrophyGr1 winner Dark Destroyer and Lot 683 is a Proisir filly from a potent Australian and South African blacktype family.
Of the Kaha Nui owned yearlings, high hopes are held for a daughter of I Am Invincible who was purchased at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale at $575,000. To be offered as Lot 931, she is out of the Tesio Stakes-Gr3 winner Shoko who is a half-sister to the Tristarc StakesGr2 and Magic Millions 2YO Classic Stakes-RL winner Mimi Lebrock, also a placegetter at the highest level in the Myer Stakes and Emirates Stakes, while Lot 569 is a son of Capitalist and was a $370,000 Sydney purchase is a half-brother to Brudenell, whose nine wins features an edition of the Bel Esprit Stakes-Listed.
Kaha Nui was established five years ago when Nick and Nicky White purchased their Mystery Creek property and subsequently embarked on an ongoing course of investment and development.
“I’d like to think our I Am Invincible filly is the stand out in terms of the fillies and the Capitalist is a stand out among the colts, but I have to say that I am very happy with the way they are all progressing and the Toronado colt is another belter as well.”
To be presented as Lot 433, the son of Toronado was a $300,000 Great Southern Sale purchase and is out of the stakes-performed Commands mare Gig, who is a half-sister to the three time Group 1 winner Happy Clapper. Sons of Hellbent (Lot 130), Wootton Bassett (Lot 603) and Russian Revolution (Lot 821) complete the Kaha Nui line-up.
The Hellbent colt is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Agrapart, a half-sister to multiple Group winner Right To Party, while the Wootton Bassett is a half-brother to the Schweppervesence Handicap-Gr3 winner Saif, who also won in Hong Kong as Jumbo Fortune, with their dam the stakes performer Husson mare Little Miss Smiley. The son of Russian Revolution is the first foal of the Written Tycoon mare Queen Zyrah whose half-sister Yamazaki was a stakes winner and the family of the Cox Plate-Gr1 winner Solvit and the Champion Singapore Miler Super Ninetyseven.
“We’re just hoping to get them all there safely and they will be well received, we are really happy with all of them,”
White said. “We love developing young athletes and gently building that soft muscle tissue that will stand by them on the racetrack in the future, that’s crucial.”
Kaha Nui is also building a racing team, with the obvious emphasis on fillies for future breeding stock. “We’ve got shares in some promising young horses and we’ve got a lovely Frankel filly that we bought as a weanling but didn‘t resell last year, we decided to keep her,” White said.
“We’ll race her and she’s doing well, she’s not mature enough to be a two year-old in my mind so we’ll give her time. We’ve had her broken in and she’s at home here on the farm and we’re nurturing her along.”
“We bought her at John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Dispersal Sale through Magic Millions and Tuesday Joy is her granddam and Yesterjoy is her Mum so it’s an exciting pedigree.” Tuesday Joy was the outstanding Group 1 winer of the BMW Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, Coolmore Classic and the Ranvet Stakes while Yesterjoy, by More Than Ready, was successful from a handful of appearances and has already left the two-time Group 3 winner
The Elanora. We are really excited to be taking our first draft to Magic Millions and catching up with everyone at the sales.
130 Gr./C Hellbent Agrapart
433 B./C Toronado (IRE) Gig
515 B. or Br./C Satono Aladdin (JPN) Inthespotlight (NZ)
556 Br./C Proisir Kay Cee Lass (NZ)
569 B./C Capitalist Knit ‘n’ Purl
603 Br./C Wootton Bassett (GB) Little Miss Smiley
683 Br./F Proisir Montrer Dame
821 Br./C Russian Revolution Queen Zyrah
931 B./F I Am Invincible Shoko
2/359 Mystery Creek Rd Ohaupo, New Zealand +64 21 754 667 nickywhite@xtra.co.nz
KENMORE Lodge
Kenmore Lodge is operated by highly credentialled horse educators Cameron and Kellie Bond, meaning that buyers can purchase a horse from them with the confidence that the horse has all the correct foundations for a strong future.
With the likes of Gr3 winner Run Harry Run and 2024 Gr1 Queensland Oaks-placed Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution), who was sold for $20,000 and has earnings over $290,000, on their recent graduate list, they’ve been joined by two stakes placed three year-olds who are showing excellent promise.
“We had 11 individual two year-old winners last season off the farm which put us above a lot of the big farms,” said Kellie Bond. The form around Broadsiding is worth paying attention to, and Kenmore Lodge sold Zouna (Zousain) who ran second to him in the Gr2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes last season. The same Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft produced Listed The Phoenix-placed Miss Trustful (Dubious) who was a winner at two last season. Astra Star (Cosmic Force) won twice at two and is also a winner this season at three.
In 2025, Kenmore Lodge will present 28 yearlings representing 24 different sires, including first season sires Admire Mars, Jonker, Profiteer, St Mark’s Basilica, Stay Inside and Wild Ruler. They also have yearlings by Farnan and Ole Kirk whose oldest are two year-olds this season.
Ole Kirk started his stud career with a bang as debutant runner King Kirk won the Gr3 Breeders’ Plate and by mid-November, he’d also added stakes placed O’ Ole from his first four runners.
“The Ole Kirk filly from Roam Free is a standout.” Lot 846 is the second foal of winning mare Roam Free (Deep Field) who is half-sister to Gr3 winner Summer Monsoon, from a branch of the Redoute’s Choice family with this filly’s third dam being a half-sister to the Champion Sire and his collection of stakes winning siblings. The other Ole Kirk in Kenmore’s draft is Lot 466, a colt from Listed Canberra Guineas-placed Havin’ Fun (All Too Hard) who was a winner at two. Havin’ Fun is nicely related being a half-sister to Listed winners Panipique and Glenall.
Farnan’s North England was placed in the Gr3 Breeders’ Plate behind King Kirk, then won the $1million Golden Gift at his second start. Kenmore Lodge will present two Farnan fillies at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. From the family of Canny Lad, Rothesay,
Coleman, Guelph, Encryption and Bivouac, Lot 22 is the first foal of winning mare Thinking Cap (So You Think) who is a half-sister to three stakes class horses. Lot 413 is a half-sister to triple Listed winner Flying Crazy (Flying Artie) from winner of six races in Forever Crazy (Encosta de Lago), who is a half-sister to Mauritius Horse of the Year Parachute Man, and a full sister to the dam of Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed Beauty Legacy (Fiorente) and Listed winner Power Scheme (Fiorente).
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire
Dam
22 Br./F Farnan Thinking Cap
116 B. or Br./C Stay Inside Zing
145 Ch./C Written By Always Praying
155 B./C Exceedance Aneesa
231 B./F Too Darn Hot (GB) Bright Rubick
247 B. or Br./C Exceed and Excel Cariad
268 Br./C Spirit of Boom Chroma
347 B. or Br./C Pierata Elay Princess
362 B./F Xtravagant (NZ) Enquare
413 B. or Br./F Farnan Forever Crazy
466 B./C Ole Kirk Havin’ Fun
503 B./F Snitzel In Good Health
651 B./C Jonker Meladia (NZ)
846 B./F Ole Kirk Roam Free
865 B./F Wild Ruler Run Pam Run
876 B./C Star Turn Sandcastles
929 B./F Jonker Shimmer Gold
958 Ch./F Russian Revolution Smoodge
1034 B./F Saxon Warrior (JPN) Timid
1053 Br./C Barbaric Valid Contract
1243 Ch./C Profiteer Just the Vonnie
1249 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) La Muse
1251 Br./C Harry Angel (IRE) Lady Melba (NZ)
1256 B./C Jonker Light Mover
1267 Ch./C Castelvecchio Love Me Quietly
1268 Br./C Admire Mars (JPN) Lucky Helmet
1286 B./C Pierata Mightier
1344 Br. or Blk./C Zousain Red Sanders
Most of the draft are by proven stallions, such as Barbaric, Castelvecchio, Exceed and Excel, Exceedance, Harry Angel, Pierata, Russian Revolution, Saxon Warrior, Snitzel, Spirit of Boom, Star Turn, Too Darn Hot, Written By, Xtravagant, Zousain.
A feature pedigree in the Kenmore draft is the Snitzel filly, Lot 503, from In Good Health (Congrats) who Bond picked out as one of the nicest horses they are taking to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025. In Good Health won seven races, two at Listed level, and her first foal is a two year-old Snitzel colt, Earthing, in training with Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. This is the family of Nothin’ Leica Dane and Duelling.
“A mouthwatering type is the Written By colt Lot 145, just a beautiful physical. Gai Waterhouse has an Anders from the family who looks early.” He is the first foal of winning mare Always Praying (Sebring), who is a half-sister to Gr2 Turffontein Johannesburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge winner Mella Maria, the dam of this season’s Gr3 Up & Coming Stakes-placed Wanaruah (Snitzel). Always Praying is a three-quarter sister to Listed Vinland.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“It’s a while back, and I’m often with the yearlings not at the races that day, but I reckon Dance Hero was up there.”
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
“Got married.”
If you could teach a dog to do one human thing, what would it be?
“Feed horses and muck out boxes.”
www.kenmorelodge.com
420 Rosenberger Road
Wyreema, QLD 4522
cameronbond@bigpond.com
Kellie Bond: 0407 657 538
Cameron Bond: 0487 884 285
Zouna
LIME COUNTRY Thoroughbreds
Lime Country will offer this stylish Farnan x Festivity colt as Lot 394, he is a half-brother to Gr3 winner of over $1.5million Semana.
Jo and Greg Griffin made the big decision to move to Australia seven years ago and have never regretted the move. Establishing first near Bowral in the Southern Highlands they recently moved to Blandford in the Hunter Valley. Their outstanding horse skills have transferred well into their new homeland with some wonderful results both in the sale ring and on the track with Gr2 Silver Slipper winner Straight Charge (Written By) graduating from their 2023 Gold Coast draft.
Their first draft prepared off this farm are now three year-olds and number six winners including Gr3 Chairman’s Stakes-third Tacito (Showtime) who went on to win the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic last season.
Renowned for their expert presentation, in 2025, Lime Country Thoroughbreds will offer 14 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“We picked early born, 2YO speed families for this sale,” said Greg Griffin.
Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft for 2025 includes yearlings by Farnan, Harry Angel, Home Affairs, Jonker, Nicconi, Pinatubo, Profiteer, Proisir, Stay Inside, Street Boss, Wootton Bassett and Zoustar.
Greg Griffin picked out six standout yearlings from their draft with the filly by first season sire and Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside as a beauty. “I loved her from a foal, she’s short coupled, she looks like her pedigree, very sharp, smart filly plenty of natural muscle.” Lot
240, this filly’s dam California Gallant (I Am Invincible) is a full sister to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen, who won in excess of $2,100,000, was stakes placed eight times and won the Listed Bribie Handicap in track record time.
A half-brother to Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Tycoon Star, Home Affairs colt Lot 668 looks like an astutely timed weanling purchase given his year-older halfbrother’s sensational win on debut during the Cup carnival. “I fell in love with his action at a weanling sale, and he’s continued to improve into a rock solid horse with a great action and good hindquarter. He’s a compact, neater style of Home Affairs colt.” The second foal of Gr3 placed winner of eight races Miss Iano (Equiano), whose first foal is Tycoon Star, and Miss Iano is out of a winning Not A Single Doubt half-sister to Listed winner Hidden Wonder. Farnan colt, Lot 394, is “a colt that looks like he’ll go early. His sire has made a great start, and this colt has a great hindquarter and very good brain. He’s a belter.”
A half-brother to current Gr3 winner Semana, who also won the RL Magic Millions Cup and was second in the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and thrice more Gr1 placed with earnings over $1.5million, this colt is out of Festivity (Nicconi) who won twice at two, and again as an older horse, and she is a half-sister to Listed winner Merriest (Denman).
Wootton Bassett is flying with four juvenile Gr1 winners in 2024, and Lime Country Thoroughbred will present his filly, Lot 564, who is the first foal of Listed Inglis 2YO Premier winner Kinky Boom (Spirit Of Boom). “She’s a strong filly with size, scope and bone topped off with a very good hindquarter and good action. She looks sharp.” We love this mating and think she’s ready made for this sale.”
Another Home Affairs colt Lot 10 is from “one of the farm’s favourite mares. He’s a medium sized, very precocious, athletic looking colt.” Tell Your Mama (Blame) won three races in America and was fourth in the Gr2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Her first foal is a winner. Tell Your Mama is a daughter of triple Listed winner Taletobetold, who is a halfsister to the dam of Russian Revolution, who in turn is a half-brother to the dam of Home Affairs. Pedigree analysts will enjoy this pedigree with Lot 10 being sent back to his own tail female line.
Group Two Edward Manifold winner El Daana (Redoute’s Choice) has Lot 346, a colt by first season sire Pinatubo, who has impressed. “He’s another colt we bought into with partners as a weanling. I loved his action at the sale and he’s grown into a forward, mature style of colt with plenty of scope and a great shape to him.”
Undefeated juvenile Pinatubo was a triple Gr1 winner at two and is a son of Shamardal from the family of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac. This colt is a half-brother to dual Gr1 winner Al Muthana (Deep Field) and Gr2 winner Wawail (Lonhro), dam of Listed winner Desi Prince (I Am Invincible).
With horses hand picked to be precocious, the odds are good that they’ll be another Straight Charge in this draft and add to Lime Country’s glowing reputation in Australia.
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
“I’m not big on making them but like taking them,” said Jo Griffin. “We have a bet currently due to be fulfilled, by an overconfident Stud Master, who was on the losing end of a very public bet recently. He is currently getting fit enough to run from Scone to Aberdeen. Naked.”
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life?
“My ponies, is there anything better when you’re young? The smell of horses, the speed you can go, the hard work, sunshine in summer, the sweat, tears and frustration, the falling in horsey love – it’s a lot like a week at Magic Millions really.”
2025 draft
10 B./C Home Affairs Tell Your Mama (USA)
25 Br./C Proisir Tick Tock (NZ)
229 Ch./C Pinatubo (IRE) Bourbon Street
240 B./F Stay Inside California Gallant
346 B./C Pinatubo (IRE) El Daana
394 B./C Farnan Festivity
434 B./C Harry Angel (IRE) Gina Lola
519 B./F Street Boss (USA) Invincible Jewel
564 B./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Kinky Boom
607 B./C Profiteer Lot’s Wife
668 B./C Home Affairs Miss Iano
726 B./F Nicconi No Crying
787 B./F Zoustar Platinum Bullet
883 B. or Br./F Jonker Sassari (NZ)
528 Timor Road, Blandford NSW, 2338
Jo Griffin m: +61 428 960 669
Greg Griffin m: +61 429 002 964 e: jo@limecountry.com.au limecountry.com.au
Lot Col/Sex Sire
Lime Country’s 2023 Magic Million graduate Straight Charge winning the Gr2 Silver Slipper.
LUSTRE Lodge
“Lustre Lodge have only taken small numbers to the Gold Coast in 2018 and 2023. Now we have ten quality individuals to offer to the market in January which is a testament to the owners Peter Colley, Glen Spratt and Michael Flannery who have invested heavily over the last five years to see the calibre of horses we have to offer improve and this is something we are extremely proud of. We are a small, dedicated team that takes so much pride in our horses and farm,” said Paige Belsham.
Lustre Lodge will present a select draft of ten quality yearlings, four colts and six fillies, at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025.
Colts
With four Gr1 winning juveniles in Europe this year, Wootton Bassett is likely to continue his hot streak at the sales, and Lustre Lodge have Lot 641, the third foal of Mariquita (I Am Invincible) who won four races, two in the city, and her first foal is a winner. She’s from the Habibti branch of the Eight Carat family. “This colt has been a big improver; he has great strength and scope with a super workman like attitude.”
Two Written Tycoon colts are bound to cause a stir. Lot 707 is out of Gr2 Dane Ripper Stakesplacegetter My True Love (Fastnet Rock), and her first two foals are winners. My True Love is a daughter of Gr3 winner Lectrice, a half-sister to two Gr1 winners; NZ Champion 3YO and NZ Derby winner Leica Guv, and Gr1 Australian Guineas winner Light Fantastic. “Both our Written Tycoon colts are different in their own right but both are of great quality. Lot 707 is a forward individual with a powerful hindquarter and great attitude.”
Good racemares make good broodmares and Written Tycoon colt, Lot 1012, is out of fourtime Gr3 winner Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) who won 11 races and was Gr1 placed. Her first foal is a two-year-old by Zoustar. “Lot 1012 colt is such an athletic individual, he has great scope/ strength and balance with a super action.”
Written Tycoon mare Nags To Riches is a Listed placed winner of three races, and her first foal, a Toronado colt, is Lot 709. This is the stallion making family of El Gran Senor, Try My Best, Xaar, etc. “He looks every bit a racehorse with
lovely scope and strength, he absolutely thrives in work.”
Fillies
Buyers looking for residual value can’t go past Lot 550, a Snitzel filly from Listed-fourth and winning mare Just Field. Just Field is a half-sister to Listed winner Granny Red Shoes, the dam of this season’s good three year-old Listed winner High Octane. Granny Red Shoes and Just Field are daughters of Listed winner Shoboard. “She is a strong forward individual with a very tractable attitude, she would be a great asset to any broodmare band post her racing career.”
The first foal of Listed winner Charleise is Lot 259, a Maurice filly, from the family of Maribyrnong Plate winner Happy Giggle. “A standout physical for a first foal, she has a great depth of girth and floats along the ground.”
Toronado filly, Lot 69, is out of winning mare Veravarti (O’Reilly), who is a halfsister to three stakes winners, being Gr1
winner Sharvasti, Gr3 winner Shastri, and Gr3 winner Bhandara. All four are out of Gr1 placed Listed winner Vedodara. “She is a lovely filly, matching her pedigree to her physical might not be an early two year-old but she has lovely balance and scope.”
Per Incanto is kicking goals, and Lot 153 is his filly from Ana D’Or, a half-sister to the Gr3 Champagne Stakes winner Estelle Collection, dam of Champion Sprinter Lankan Rupee. “She is a very neat filly, a strong jump and run style with a movement that devours the ground.”
Written By, sire of Straight Charge, is represented by Lot 180, a filly from winning mare Audacious Choice, who is a daughter of Gr1 winner Barinka, making Audacious Choice a half-sister to Listed Inglis Millennium winner Prime Star. “She has eye catching presence and is a strong forward individual, who has been a beauty from day one.”
Winning mare Jaylo’s third foal, a Capitalist filly is Lot 536, and she’s
nicely related with Jaylo being a half-sister to Listed winner Elite Elle. “I can see this filly being very well received. She has an attractive head, great length and a beautiful hindquarter. She lives up to her namesake.”
If there was one chore you never had to do again, what would it be?
Folding the laundry.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard and don’t be shy to ask questions. Where is the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever visited?
I’ve been to some beautiful places in the world, but I have to say my visit to Tasmania in 2022 was one for the memories, the scenic drive and coastlines were picturesque.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
Sunlight, she was so dominant!
(NZ)
LYNDHURST Stud Farm
Historic Lyndhurst on the Legendary Darling Downs is part of the very fabric of Queensland breeding and racing.
Not only has the property been home to many of the state’s finest stallions but it has a long association with the Magic Millions Sale. Merrell Kruger, father of Jeff and Griff who run the farm these days, was a founder of the Magic Millions Sale in 1986 along with Carl Waugh and Gordon McNicol. Lyndhurst has not missed a Magic Millions Sale since inception, a record Jeff Kruger is justifiably proud of.
“The sceptics said the sale would never work, but the first winner in 1987 was the superstar Snippets who went on to Gr1 glory and success as a stallion, the sale has never looked back. It was very rewarding for Lyndhurst to breed the 2023 Magic Millions 2yo winner Skirt The Law, a homebred by our resident stallion Better Than Ready. That race day was even more special because Better Than Ready sired two feature winners on the day, the other being Alpine Edge.
We’re taking a great draft to the 2025 sale and look forward to our extending our unbroken record of breeding and selling winners at Magic Millions.
Lot 671 bay colt by Nicconi from Miss Sure Shot (Shooting To Win)
The first foal for a city placed three time winning daughter of the Group 1 placed Grand Daughter whose Group 2 winning full sister El Daana is dam of the South African based dual Group 1 winner Al Muthana and the dual Group winner Wawail, in turn dam of the Listed winner Desi Prince.
He boasts an interesting pedigree with duplications of the excellent mares Natalma, Fairy Bridge and Nicconi’s fourth dam Frivole.
Lot 756 bay filly by Spirit Of Boom from Outlaw Kate (Exceed And Excel)
Bred on the same Spirit Of Boom/Exceed And Excel cross as the stakes winners Get In The Spirit and Ef Troop, she is a half-sister to the Lyndhurst bred Magic Millions 2YO Classic-LR, 1200m winner Skirt The Law.
Her dam is a stakes placed daughter of the speedy Listed winner She’s Got Gears, in turn dam of the Group 1 sprinter Masked Crusader. This is a wonderfully consistent high class family.
Lot 849 bay colt by Better Than Ready from Rockette Rocket (Captain Sonador)
His dam did a great job winning nine races and her first foal, also by Better Than Ready, fetched $195,000 at this sale.
Rockette Rocket is one of the six winners produced by Silken Rocket, dam of the Bill Stutt
Stakes-Gr2, 1600m winner Churchill Downs and also of Better Than Ready’s high class son Apache Chase, winner of the Kingsford-Smith Cup-Gr1, 1200m.
Lot 1112 brown colt by Dirty Work from Big Time Girl (Exceed And Excel)
He is the first foal for a well related mare with Royal Ascot links, hailing from the same family as the successful jetsetter Asfoora.
His dam Big Time Girl is out of the Group 3 winning Artie Schiller mare Big Chill. Also dam of the multiple city winners Big Night Out and Freeze Over, she is out of the stakes placed Hard Rider who also produced the stakes winners Hard Stride and Utah Saints.
Lot 1215 bay colt by Barbaric from Hidden Sequel (Sequalo)
A horse with a very Lyndhurst pedigree with his first four dam sires Sequalo, Hidden Dragon, Celestial Dancer and Hail To Success all having stood at the farm.
His city placed five time winning dam is a sister to the Listed winner Flamenco and 3/4 sister to
2024 draft
671 B./C Nicconi Miss Sure Shot
756 B./F Spirit of Boom Outlaw Kate
781 B. or Br./C Wild Ruler Piempurr
849 B./C Better Than Ready Rockette Rocket
1096 B./C Jonker Arabian Beauty
1112 Br./C Dirty Work Big Time Girl
1132 B./C Anders Coeur d’Amour
1199 B./C Hellbent Goolagong Rose
1205 B./C The Mission Hanaan
1215 B./C Barbaric Hidden Sequel
1278 B./C Barbaric Martinez
1291 Br./C Barbaric Miss Rhapsody
1400 B./C Bivouac Sweet Mary
www.lyndhurststud.com Lyndhurst Lane, PO Box 348, Warwick Qld 4370 Jeff Kruger 0429 076 610 jeff@lyndhurststud.com•
Lot Col/Sex Sire
the Listed winner Holding from the family of the terrific galloper Golden Cheer, a Listed winner who won 15 races.
Lot 1291 brown colt by Barbaric from Miss Rhapsody (Better Than Ready)
The first foal for a speedy three time winner, he is a grandson of one of Sequalo’s best daughters, the fast Listed winner Royal Shiraz.
What a good job that seven time winner did at stud, all 11 of her foals making it to the track with ten being winners including the stakes placed Our Beebee and the metropolitan winner Star Drop.
Lot 781 bay/brown colt by Wild Ruler from Piempurr (Pierro)
He is the first foal for a winning 3/4 sister to the stakes placed multiple city winner Denpurr and half to the stakes placed Purrific.
His dam is out of a Tale Of The Cat mare whose Group 2 winning dam Bracken Bank produced the Group 3 and dual Listed winner Niagara Falls, in turn dam of the Group 2 juvenile Elite Falls and grandam of the Group 3 3YO Charge. This colt is bred on the sensational Redoute’s Choice/Pierro cross.
Lot 1096 bay colt by Jonker from Arabian Beauty (Shamardal)
It is fitting to see a great grandson of Sequalo in the Lyndhurst draft and this fellow has good credentials.
He is out of a city placed winning daughter of the Listed winning Anabaa mare Marchelle Belle from the family of the South African based Group 2 winner Global Legend.
Lot 1132 bay colt by Anders from Coeur d’Amour (More Than Ready)
His dam is a city winning proven broodmare, the dam of four winners from five to race including the Hong Kong winner Buzzinga.
Coeur d’Amour is a half-sister to the Listed winner Upstaged from a strong stakes family which has also produced the Macau Derby-LR, 1800m winner Cheers Brothers.
Lot 1199 bay colt by Hellbent from Goolagong Rose (Wandjina)
A member of the prolific Denise’s Joy family, he is the first foal for a speedy city winning half-sister to the stakes placed Sanctimonious out of a granddaughter of the Group 1 filly Euphoria who is also grandam of the Group 1 sprinter Secret Agenda. A true Group 1 family.
Lot 1205 bay colt by The Mission from Hanaan (High Chaparral)
A full brother to the Caloundra Cup-LR, 2400m winner Mission Of Love who went close to a Melbourne Cup start only to be ruled out by vets just day before her stablemate Knight’s Choice recorded a longshot victory.
His dam is out of a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Phone Chatter who is ancestress of another 11 stakes winners including the Group 1 winner Dixie Chatter and the Group 2 winning New Zealander Mongolian Falcon.
Lot 1278 bay colt by Barbaric from Martinez (Sizzling)
He is the first foal for a daughter of the Group 2 mare Velasco, dam of the stakes winners Debellatio and Devoirs.
Lot 1400 bay colt by Bivouac from Sweet Mary (Hinchinbrook)
The first foal for a city placed dual winning daughter of the multiple metropolitan winning Sebring mare Silver Magic Ships whose grandam is the outstanding mare Mannerism.
Question time with Jeff Kruger... What memory sticks in your mind?
Never forgotten is sitting at the bar on the 110th floor of the World Trade Centre in May, 2001. What is on your bucket list?
To tour the West Indies during a Cricket Test Match Series. Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
That goes without saying, Skirt The Law!
Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Skirt The Law, winner of over $1.7million is by Lyndhurst Stud’s outstanding sire Better Than Ready. Lyndhurst will offer LOT 849 at the 2025 Magic Millions, a bay colt by Better Than Ready from Rockette Rocket who is a 9 times winning half-sister to Gr1 winner Apache Chase and Gr2 winner Churchill Downs.
NEWHAVEN Park
With Cool Aza Beel’s first runner an undefeated two start 2yo winner in NZ this season, John Kelly is understandably excited about the Newhaven Park Magic Millions draft of 42 yearlings for 2025.
“The Cool Aza Beels sold well in 2024 and several top trainers have trial winners and promising early types by him. We have some beautiful yearlings by him in our draft and I’m expecting them to be popular.
“We have a really solid draft with horses to suit a wide range of buyers. There are nine by Cool Aza Beel who is off to such a fine start, and with his first crop youngsters now in some of Australia’s leading stables there should be more to come. There are also 11 by our proven Group sire Xtravagant as well as yearlings by leading commercial sires Snitzel, Ole Kirk, So You Think and exciting first season sires Stay Inside and Pinatubo, both champion 2yos.”
Newhaven Park at Boorowa has a proud history, the Kelly family has been breeding Australia’s elite thoroughbreds since the days of the legendary
Wilkes who set the farm on the road to success mid 20th century. John Kelly has continued the family tradition, with Newhaven bred and raised gallopers distinguishing themselves year in, year out.
Most recently Newhaven bred and reared arguably the best 3yo filly in Australia, Autumn Glow, her $600k weanling price then turning into a profitable pinhook and a spectacular undefeated career before injury curtailed her preparation when she was long odds-on favourite for the Gr1 Flight S at Randwick.
“There’s no doubt this great horse country keeps producing wonderful gallopers,” John Kelly told Bluebloods, “in recent years we’ve seen stars such as English, In The Congo, Autumn Glow, and Shout The Bar added to the Golden Slipper winners and elite Gr1 winners bred here. Buyers know they are getting a good product when they buy a yearling offered by Newhaven.”
Cool Aza Rene, as a yearling at MMGC2024, remains unbeaten at her first two starts.
There are several real highlights among the 2025 draft, and a few worth mentioning include:
Lot 64 a very good Cool Aza Beel colt from the family of outstanding sire Zoustar.
Lot 191 an attractive Rubick filly who is the first foal of Gr3 winner of $556k Bam’s On Fire.
Lot 360 a cracker of an Xtravagant filly who is a full sister to Gr2 winner of $451k Lavish Girl.
Lot 361 a beautiful Snitzel filly out of Newhaven’s multiple Gr1 winning Champion 2yo and 3yo filly English, winner of over $3.48 million. A foundation mare prospect.
Lot 620 an attractive Ole Kirk filly who is the second foal of Gr3 winner Lunar Impact.
Lot 649 a lovely Ole Kirk filly who is the second foal of a full sister to Golden Slipper winner Estijaab.
Lot 689 a cracker of an Xtravagant colt who is a full brother to lightly raced Gr2 placed Nadal.
Lot 692 a stylish Russian Revolution filly who is a half-sister to two stakeswinners including Gr1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner Odeum.
Lot 701 a really good Cool Aza Beel colt from a Fastnet Rock half-sister to Champion 3yo, multiple Gr1 winner of over $3.26 million Whobegotyou.
Lot 918 a beautiful typical So You Think colt who is a half-brother to two stakeswinners Xtravagant Star and He’s Xceptional.
John Kelly offered his thoughts on the upcoming sales to Bluebloods.
“There have been very encouraging signs at the various thoroughbred sales in the Northern Hemisphere recently, the amount of new investment and the resulting increases in averages and medians have been extraordinary. The ready to run sales in Australia have also shown healthy increases, so I’m optimistic about Magic Millions 2025 without getting too carried away. The first sale of the year is always a highlight for me personally, because it shows how the market might trend and it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with clients and friends after a busy foaling and breeding season.”
Most recently Newhaven bred and reared arguably the best 3yo filly in Australia, Autumn Glow, her $600k weanling price then turning into a profitable pinhook and a spectacular undefeated career.
61 Ch./C Xtravagant (NZ) Vacherie Girl (USA)
64 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Vanderlune
106 B./F Stay Inside Yes to the Dress (USA)
174 B./C Fierce Impact (JPN) Aspect Ratio
191 B./F Rubick Bam’s on Fire
281 B./C Pinatubo (IRE) Compete
294 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Cross Stitch (NZ)
296 B. or Br./F Xtravagant (NZ) Croughavouke (IRE)
322 B./F Harry Angel (IRE) Diminish
360 Ch./F Xtravagant (NZ) Ends in Tears
361 B./F Snitzel English
420 Br./C Xtravagant (NZ) Frolic
584 B. or Br./C Royal Meeting (IRE) Lady of Sorrento
594 B./C Xtravagant (NZ) Lenzi’s Lucky Lady (USA)
615 B./C Sword of State Luckily (NZ)
620 B. or Br./F Ole Kirk Lunar Impact
649 B./F Ole Kirk Medic
689 Ch./C Xtravagant (NZ) Moshki
692 B. or Br./F Russian Revolution Movie
701 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Mussenden
702 B./F Pinatubo (IRE) Muy Bien
836 B./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Refer
855 B./F Capitalist Rosie Rocket
918 B. or Br./C So You Think (NZ) She’s a Danica
945 B. or Br./C Xtravagant (NZ) Single Verse (USA)
972 B./F Stay Inside South of France (USA)
1008 Br. or Gr./F Russian Revolution Supara
1038 B. or Br./C Written By Treasure
1079 B./C Jonker Able
1103 B./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Aware
1110 B. or Br./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Bella Vino
1136 Ch./F Xtravagant (NZ) Convey
1175 B. or Br./C Rebel Dane Fairway Lady (USA)
1211 B./C Acrobat Henny’s Princess (USA) 1213 Ch./F Xtravagant (NZ) Heriz
1233 B./F Russian Revolution Irene
1281 Ch./C Xtravagant (NZ) Media
1303 B. or Br./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Mountford
1305 B./C Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Mutual
1387 B./C Star Witness Southerly Breeze (NZ) 1396 B./F Cool Aza Beel (NZ) Stregheria
1397 B./F Xtravagant (NZ) Sugarparma Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
(02) 6385 8335
John Kelly 0412 654 620 jknewhavenpark@bigpond.com
NORTH Bloodstock
“Whatever you do, keep going North.” The wisdom passed down to Mick Malone from his late father inspired the name of North Bloodstock, and in 2025, they will present their second Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
“My old man ran a trucking company and I used to go with him when I was young. He died when I was 22 but I always remember the way he’d say that whenever he saw a group of people loitering around the streets. He spoke in that rough trucker’s way, ‘look at these (curses), they are going South. You make sure you are always going North.’ And when we left Kitchwin and started this farm, it just hit me. I wanted to keep going North,” said Mick Malone.
With over 35 years experience in the breeding industry, Malone and his partner Pauline Alix, spent a long time at Kitchwin Hills. “Kitchwin was a huge part of my life. Whilst at Kitchwin I was involved in breeding horses like Yes Yes Yes, Pierata, Vow And Declare, just so many Gr.1 horses, it was unbelievable. I’m proud to have been part of that. At first, years ago, I learnt a lot through making mistakes and used those as learning experiences to build up the management
practices that were a firm part of my role at Kitchwin. Now we are at North, I’m bringing that background of continual improvement with some fresh ideas. Kitchwin represents a lot of my life, the Brown’s were like my family, and I wish them the very best going forward.”
North Bloodstock is located just to the north of Scone, on Thompson’s Creek, a tributary of the Dart Brook, and the property was formerly known as Kanangra. “It’s a place that is very much like Kitchwin Hills, it has that same appeal where you raise horses on the hills. The land is not too soft, not too hard, with lots of mountains and hills with beautiful water. It’s a great spot.
“Fred and Mary Moses were here, and they had great success. From his small numbers with his bloodstock, his results were quite amazing. We’ve been here over a year and the yearlings just thrive. They look so well, and one thing we’ve also noticed is that our client’s broodmare’s feet have improved since they’ve arrived here. It’s just really good horse country.”
At Kanangra, Fred and Mary Moses bred horses such as Under The Louvre and In Her Time.
“Whatever you do, keep going North.”
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire
27 B./C Ole Kirk Tickle Me Scarlett
218 Br. or Blk./F So You Think (NZ) Blowing Kisses
293 Ch./F Profiteer Crimson and Clover
324 B./C Hellbent Disputes
459 B./C Home Affairs Gwader Bay
460 B. or Br./C Wild Ruler Gwendoline Rose (NZ)
484 Ch./F Ole Kirk Honey Valley
553 B./F Pierro Kardashing
704 B./F Spirit of Boom My Girl Rocks
792 B./C Ole Kirk Pop Girl
816 B./C Pinatubo (IRE) Queen Himiko
862 B./C Farnan Rubaiya
919 B./C Too Darn Hot (GB) She’s Bobby’s Girl
960 B./C Pierata Snitzari
990 B./C Ole Kirk Steamboat Sally
1003 B. or Br./C Ole Kirk Sugar Rush
Mick Malone +61 484 065 372
General Manager and Co-Founder
Pauline Alix +61 437 845 271
Stud Manager and Co-Founder office@northbloodstock.com.au
“It’s early days to have any results from our first draft. King Of Pop won a trial and is heading towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. We have some really nice horses coming through this year too.” King Of Pop (Farnan) was purchased by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou for $800,000 at this sale in 2024. North Bloodstock also sold impressive recent two year-old winner Gobi Desert (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in their first year of operation. In 2025, North Bloodstock will present 15 yearlings by Farnan, Hellbent, Home Affairs, Ole Kirk, Pierata, Pierro, Pinatubo, Profiteer, So You Think, Spirit Of Boom, Too Darn Hot and Wild Ruler.
“When we bought Kanangra off Fred, it had a treadmill, and initially I thought I’d sell it and recoup a bit of the land purchase price, but then a few trainers said ‘you should put the yearlings on it’. It’s been the most amazing thing I’ve used.
“The major trainers all use these types of systems with heart monitors and so I invested in that too and the monitors give you data immediately. At this point, I’m not sure what to do with the data I’m gathering, we need more time to work that out, but every time we use it, we learn more. The system also tells you if a horse’s gait has changed from the day before, or if their recovery is different to the day before, so you discover small issues and deal with them before they become big problems.
“It’s important to stress that I’m not galloping yearlings. They go on there for a walk, sometimes a soft trot or a very slow canter to get their heart rate up for a couple of minutes. It’s more about judging their ability to recover. Ciaron Maher’s team told me that the key thing they’ve noticed is recovery time. The good horses recover faster after working. Of course there are a million other things that matter too, but quick recovery shows that a horse has the demeanour to relax.
“We’ve already had lots of trainers want to see the data for a horse and it’s so easy to share. The other benefit is that the treadmill has an incline that can be changed by small degrees, and that can test their heart rate without any pressure on their joints. It’s a consistent surface and so every footfall is safe, much safer than galloping around a paddock, although they have plenty of time and freedom to do that if they want too.
“We’ve found that it helps slowly develop young horses. Some yearlings need to build up their hindquarters or top line, so rather than lunge them with a roller in a traditional way, we’ve removed the roller, and instead put them on the treadmill at a very slow speed with a steeper incline which makes their hindquarter do more work.
“The other massive benefit is education. It’s basically a racehorse environment. They have a few minutes on the treadmill with a light girth on for the heart monitor, then come off, have a roll in the sand yard, then get hosed off before going back into a grassy paddock to relax. In a way it’s desensitising them for when they arrive in a stable. They’ll be ready for that next stage.”
“I’m sure the North draft for 2025 Magic Millions will do us proud. I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone at the first sale of the year.”
RIDGMONT Farm
Nestled among the rolling hills and verdant paddocks at the southern end of the fabled Segenhoe Road, Ridgmont is a relatively new venture into the competitive and exciting world of thoroughbred breeding. Ridgmont has been developed to showcase their world leading staff, state of the art facilities and top line bloodstock aligned with a familial atmosphere.
“Ridgmont proudly present our third Magic Millions Gold Coast draft, and for the first time our yearlings near side shoulder is adorned by the new brand. It is the most exciting time of year for us, made better by the quality individuals we present to you for sale. The thrill of being on the Gold Coast in January is tough to beat,” said Mitchell Cunningham.
Ridgmont Farm will present a draft of 14 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2025, represented by stallions Acrobat, Capitalist, Frosted, I Am Invincible, Jonker, King’s Legacy, Street Boss, Too Darn Hot, Wild Ruler, Wootton Bassett and Zoustar.
The first foal of winning mare Esterhazy (Medaglia d’Oro) is a Street Boss colt, Lot 368, whose second dam is Viennese, a Gr3 winning full sister to Champion Sire Snitzel. Esterhazy is a half-sister to three stakes placed winners including Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate-placed Gloriette (Lonhro) who is the dam of Champion 2YO Filly Arcaded (Street Boss). “He’s by a proven stallion and from a stacked family of some of Darley’s finest, including the closely related Champion 2YO Filly in Arcaded. He’s a very well balanced and attractive colt with a good action.”
Lot 143 is by first season sire Jonker from winning mare Allure (Lonhro) who ran fourth in the Listed Castletown Stakes. “By an exciting speed demon of a stallion and out of a stakes mare who herself is out of a Gr1 winner. Like his sire, he’s built like a strong sprinter with a good forearm and powerful hindquarters.”
Allure is a daughter of Gr1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Captivate, with Gr1 winner Culminate also in the family.
Lot 48, a filly by smoking hot sire Too Darn Hot from imported winning mare Trapani (Shamardal) is bound to attract plenty of attention. “An incredibly well-balanced filly with a lovely shoulder. She’s by the shuttling sensation in Too Darn Hot and from a European family that is stacked with Gr1 winners, featuring Jakkalberry and Crackerjack King.” Trapani is a daughter of blue hen mare Claba Di San Jore, dam of five stakes winners led by Champion Stayer and Gr1 winner Jakkalberry who stood in New Zealand, as well as Gr1 winners Crackerjack King (Shamardal) and Awelmarduk, and Listed winners Kidnapping and Joyful Hope (Shamardal).
Wootton Bassett has sired four juvenile Gr1 winners in 2024, and Ridgmont’s yearling colt, Lot 51, is the first foal of Tuscan Heat (Oasis Dream). Wootton Bassett’s multiple Gr.1 placed star Chindit is also out of an Oasis Dream mare. This family is full of black type across much of Europe. “A very-well related colt from a smart European family. His sire needs no introduction having taken all before him in the Northern Hemisphere and soon to be Southern Hemisphere. He’s a good moving horse with a lovely outlook and natural athleticism.”
Ridgmont have two Zoustar yearlings in their draft, and Lot 598 is a colt from Gr3 placed mare Light Up The Room (So You Think) who won three times. Her first foal has placed twice from three starts and looks set to break through before the sale. This is a consistent family which always has a good one going around. “He’s a good, strong forward colt that is by Australia’s hottest stallion at the moment. He’s out of a So You Think mare who is already proven as the broodmare sire of a Golden Slipper winner in Fireburn.”
I Am Invincible filly, Lot 323, brings residual value as the first foal of Gr3 Northwood Plume Stakes winner Dirty Thoughts (So You Think) who won five races and is closely related to Gr1 placed Gr2 winner Grey Song. “The I Am Invincible x Dirty Thoughts filly is a lovely moving, medium sized filly. She’s the first foal out of this Gr3 winning speedster. With her August birth date, this forward filly is exactly what the Magic Millions buying bench is after.”
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life?
The earliest and most significant influence on my life has been my father, Gary. He showed me how to lead with empathy, and I watched him build his business with courage and principle. More importantly, he was a great Dad.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Ego is the enemy
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
I am biased, but Storm Boy was incredibly dominant last year, and his time and rating supported that.
What is your favourite beach on the Gold Coast?
We love The Spit. It the one area you are able to bring the dogs to!
42 B./F Zoustar Too Good Too Hard
48 Gr./F Too Darn Hot (GB) Trapani (GB)
51 Br./C Wootton Bassett (GB) Tuscan Heat (GB)
113 B. or Br./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Zenon
143 B./C Jonker Allure (NZ)
230 B./F Acrobat Bowie Bluebird
238 B./F Jonker Cafe Rizu
265 B./F King’s Legacy Chit Chat
323 Br./F I Am Invincible Dirty Thoughts
368 B./C Street Boss (USA) Esterhazy
444 Ch./C Capitalist Golden Hooves (GB)
529 B. or Br./F Frosted (USA) Italy
598 B./C Zoustar Light Up the Room
881 B. or Br./F Wild Ruler Saratoga Treasure (USA)
Mitchell Cunningham - 0438 774 436 101 Segenhoe Road, Segenhoe NSW 2337 Mitch@ridgmontfarm.com
RIVERSTONE Lodge
Nick Taylor always dreamed of running his own farm and in 2023 that dream became a reality when Riverstone Lodge was born.
Owned in partnership by Nick and Alex Kemp, the farm is situated in the upper Hunter Valley, nestled alongside the Pages River. Riverstone Lodge launched in 2023 with three drafts including Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and Inglis Classic.
“This is the second sales season for us, and we’ve worked hard to buy weanlings and build our client base to target this sale. We could’ve taken a couple of horses last year but we wanted to build a strong draft for the Gold Coast, one that is even all the way through. I think we’ve achieved that and we are excited to head there,” said Nick Taylor. Nick’s journey is one of determination with a singular focus on achieving his own property.
“My family in New Zealand have horses and I moved to Australia when I was eighteen to grow my knowledge. I worked for several people including Willow Park who are so good at preparing yearlings with strong attention to detail. From there, I went to Kia Ora and they leave no stone unturned. From there, I moved into the office, first for Aquis then Newgate where I was able to make contacts and take the leap into my long term goal to own a farm.”
“I made the leap and then teamed up with Alex. We knew each other from back in my Aquis days and then
did a few pinhooks together. He is involved in the dayto-day operations but mainly handles the strategic, financial and administrative side of the business.”
Not ones to sit still, Nick and Alex are continually growing and evolving the business. Billy Brooks, who is a long time friend of Nick and very good horseman, was recently brought in as a partner to the business and they have also now secured two properties under the Riverstone Lodge banner, Lincoln Farm and Rothwell Farm.Coming off a successful 2024 sales season which saw Riverstone Lodge achieve highest vendor by average and median at Inglis Classic in February, they will bring their debut draft to the Gold Coast in 2025 with nine yearlings by sires such as Farnan, Home Affairs, So You Think, Stay Inside, Too Darn Hot, Wild Ruler, and Zoustar.
Zoustar colt, Lot 959, was cleverly pinhooked as a weanling from proven nursery Tyreel Stud and is the third foal of Gr2 Caulfield Sprint winner Snitty Kitty (Snitzel) who ran second to Russian Revolution in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate and was twice fourth at Gr1 level in the AJ Moir Stakes and Galaxy Handicap. “He’s the style of Zoustar that you want at a sale, forward with a good mind, big action, just a straightforward horse. He’s had
Riverstone Lodge will bring their debut draft to the Gold Coast in 2025 with eight yearlings
a good start at Tyreel and he’s a machine. Looks like he’ll go early.”
“It’s a privilege to present a couple of horses for Rob McClure who is such a good breeder, and both are lovely types. The Mumbai Rock is from a proven mare, and the Incredulous Dream is a gun. Incredulous Dream was a beautiful mare and this colt looks a lot like his mum.”
Lot 508, by first season sire Wild Ruler, is the first foal of Incredulous Dream, who won the Listed HC Nitschke Stakes. Incredulous Dream is a half-sister to Gr2 winner Global Exchange who won over $1million, and this is the family of fan favourite So Si Bon, and his Listed winning dam Black Minx.
The Mumbai Rock colt, Lot 697, by Home Affairs is a half-brother to Gr3 Red Roses Stakes winner Mumbai Muse (Zoustar) and Listed winner Jazz Etude (I Am Invincible), and two other stakes placed winners. Mumbai Rock (Fastnet Rock) was a winner at two and is a daughter of Gr1 Spinaway Stakes winner Mani Bhavan.
Another pinhook is Lot 514, a Home Affairs colt from American mare Inthemidstofbiz, who was a Gr2 winner at Keeneland and won seven races including one at two. “He’s a very sharp looking type of Home Affairs colt, very forward compared to many of the others by the stallion with a more sprinting style of movement. When I was at Newgate, we consigned the mare, who was a neater style of mare and it’s a great mating on type with Home Affairs. Inthemidstofbiz was a very fast mare.” Inthemidstofbiz was purchased in 2023 by Glenbawn Bloodstock for $525,000 and this is her first foal. The second dam, Midst, is also a stakes winner, and we all know how well American mares go over colonial bred stallions.
Now that Too Darn Hot isn’t shuttling and he keeps kicking goals, his stock are bound to be sought after, and Riverstone Lodge will present Lot 543, a filly from winning mare Jest Excel (Exceed And Excel). Her first foal is a winner, and Just Excel is a half-sister to Gr2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Jiang. “She’s a beauty, a very smart type.”
The first Gold Coast draft for Riverstone Lodge marks the next step in reaching the goal that the team has been working towards and they have put together a very solid draft to showcase next January.
2025 draft
270 B./C Home Affairs Ciarlet
370 B. or Br./C So You Think (NZ) Estijmaam
508 Gr./C Wild Ruler Incredulous Dream
514 B./C Home Affairs Inthemidstofbiz (USA)
543 B. or Br./F Too Darn Hot (GB) Jest Excel
621 B./C Farnan Lusitania
697 B./C Home Affairs Mumbai Rock
959 B. or Br./C Zoustar Snitty Kitty Lot Col/Sex Sire
www.riverstonelodge.com.au
113 River Road, Blandford, NSW 2338
Nick Taylor: 0417 365 553
nick@riverstonelodge.com.au
SILVERDALE Farm
The sun sets with a warm glow over the rolling hills of Silverdale Farm as the nearby Yarrunga River cascades spectacularly across the Fitzroy Falls into the valley below. The horses graze peacefully in the fertile pastures at Silverdale where in a few short years the extensive gardens have become well established and the original mature trees on the property proudly display their substantial girths, testament to the quality of the soil.
Steve and Eliza Grant established Silverdale as a premium boutique nursery for their commercial breeding venture, the farm rapidly establishing itself as a fixture on the leaderboard for sale averages each year.
This season there has been a particularly warm glow cast on their efforts with the deeds of their 2023 sale graduate Autumn Glow, a $600k Magic Millions weanling pinhook, subsequently reared at Silverdale and resold as a yearling for $1.8m, who established herself as the best 3yo filly in training before an injury curtailed her campaign leading into the Gr1 Flight Stakes for which she was a long odds-on favourite.
Silverdale’s $1.1 million 2023 MM graduate Eneeza (Exceed And Excel – Sweet Sherry by Bel Esprit)
has established herself as one of the best of her generation as a Gr2 winning, Gr1 Blue Diamond S 4th earner of over $1.16 million and Silverdale manager Rob Petith is justifiably proud that both the farm’s million dollar plus 2023 sales graduates have gone on to racetrack glory and increased their value multiple times.
Having also bred and raised no less a star than Golden Slipper winner Fireburn recently as well, the hard work of Rob Petith and his team, combined with the meticulous planning of the farm’s facilities, has provided the perfect platform for the rich NSW Southern Highlands soil to do its work of sending forth elite thoroughbreds.
The Silverdale draft for the 2025 Magic Millions is set to continue the tradition with a mouthwatering offering of 15 youngsters by the leading commercial sires in the country. The 7 colts and 8 fillies are spearheaded by three Zoustars, two I Am Invincibles and one each by Extreme Choice and Snitzel.
Rob Petith spoke to Bluebloods saying, “this is our finest Magics draft yet, and apart from the yearlings by those elite commercial sires we also have several quality youngsters across all price ranges. I’m sure that buyers realise our business is to sell, and we are committed to that plan.”
He then gave us his impressions of each yearling heading to Magic Millions in January.
Lot 5 bay filly Wild Ruler –Tarabai by Sepoy
“This is a lovely, quality filly by an exciting Gr1 winning first season sire, from a city winning mare who is doing a great job with her foals, all impressive types.”
Lot 101 chestnut filly Home Affairs –Witherspoon by Exceed And Excel
“This filly is a stunner, she was the most expensive weanling by Home Affairs whose foals sold spectacularly well. She has made all the progress we hoped for.”
Lot 129 brown colt Ole Kirk –Agent Pippa by Demerit
“This is a lovely, athletic colt with a big hip and great action. We loved him as a weanling and bought him before Ole Kirk had had a runner, so we are excited to be offering him following that stallion’s brilliant start.”
Lot 253 bay filly Rebel Dane – Caves by Bernardini
“This filly is a full sister to Gr3 winner Subterranean and another winner of six races. By a proven Gr1 sire, the most underrated in Australia.
After a couple of seasons with virtually no foals it’s time for Rebel Dane to be reborn. He’s a proven Gr1 and multiple Group sire, this filly is very much like her two talented siblings., great shape and a lot of quality.”
Lot 290 bay filly I Am Invincible –Courageous Kitty by Fastnet Rock
“A beautiful, quality filly by our multiple champion sire, lots of scope and substance. She’s a very athletic filly with great residual value.”
Lot 517 bay or brown filly I Am Invincible – Intrepidaceous by Shooting To Win
“First foal of SP winner of $390k. By our multiple champion sire from the Gr1 family of Rostova and Anaheed. This filly is a lovely first foal, just like mum, with a deep girth and a lot of substance.”
Lot 558 chestnut filly Capitalist –Kentucky Diva by Fastnet Rock
“By the Golden Slipper winner from a mare by our leading broodmare sire, and from the immediate family of champion mare Makybe Diva, Musket, La Amistad and Valkyrie Diva. Great shape to her, looks forward and early like her sire. I really like this filly and it’s such a deep black type page. She has a great action and is one of my favourites from this crop”.
Lot 601 bay or brown colt Captivant –Lipizzan by Sebring
“This colt is inbred to the great Commands, and there’s a lot of resemblance to him. He’s developing
beautifully, lots of scope from his sire and a great head.”
Lot 623 bay colt Sword Of State –Luxe by O’Reilly
“Huge update here, Belclare out of a full-sister to this colt’s stakes placed dam Luxe, recently won the Gr2 ATC Hot Danish S at the Spring Carnival, recording her 13th win and adding to her earlier Gr1. This is a great colt whose looks live up to his exciting pedigree.”
Lot 764 bay colt Extreme Choice –Paredo by Better Than Ready
“By Australia’s hottest sire of the moment, first foal of a SP mare by the great 2yo sire Better Than Ready. This colt is an outstanding first foal and is a ¾ brother to multiple Gr1 placed 2yo Don Corleone. He is a great mover and looks a fast early type as his pedigree indicates.”
Lot 856 bay filly Zoustar –
Rotator by Not A Single Doubt
“Very stylish athletic filly with a great length hip to tail. She’s from a wonderful black type family and is a very neat filly by this wonderful sire Zoustar.”
Lot 903 bay colt Zoustar –Sense Of Hite by Street Sense
By the great Zoustar from a a 100% winner producing mare.
“This colt is a beautiful mover with lots of scope and a great hindquarter. He’s typical of the great types this stakes producing mare is leaving.”
Lot 979 brown colt Rebel Dane –Spirit Medium by Helmet
“This is a tough looking colt, a great advertisement for his multiple stakes producing sire. Rebel Dane is throwing great types, you will want a share of this colt when you see him. He’s from the deep Woodlands/Godolphin family of undefeated champion Unworldly.”
Lot 1016 chestnut colt Zoustar –Sweet Scandal by Sepoy
“This is a ripping good colt, very athletic, a lovely shape to him. From a family that produces stakeswinners, multiple race winners and metropolitan performers, there’s a lot to like about him.”
Lot 1017 bay filly Snitzel –Sweet Sherry by Bel Esprit
“Our last lot at the sale, but worth waiting for I can assure everyone. This filly is the queen of our farm, or maybe mum is the queen and this is the princess. Sweet Sherry’s foals are as stylish as she is and I’m confident that this half-sister to Gr2 winner and millionaire Eneeza is as good a filly as we have ever presented for sale.”
With a fine lineup of yearlings by Australia’s top commercial sires out of quality young mares, the Silverdale 2025 MM draft looks set to provide the next Autumn Glow, Eneeza or Fireburn.
1091 Sheepwash Road, Avoca NSW 2577 0410 464 345 rpetith@silverdalefarm.com.au silverdalefarm.com.au
Silverdale MM graduates: Autumn Glow (top) and Eneeza
TELEMON Thoroughbreds
In 2025, Telemon Thoroughbreds will present a draft of 17 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Recent drafts have produced Listed Magic Millions Guineas winner Abounding, who had earnings over $2.2million by the end of her three year-old season and looks set to do more this season at four. From the same crop came Party For Two, who won the QTIS 3YO Jewel last season and was second to Recommendation in the Gr3 Sir John Monash Stakes at her most recent outing.
Zoustar filly, Lot 720, is sure to be well received, being the second foal of two year-old winner Niccovi, who placed in the Gr3 Red Roses Stakes and Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic. This family traces back to successful stallions Rahy and Singspiel.
Abounding’s half-brother, Lot 1037, by first season sire Russian Camelot, is out of Gr2 Wakeful Stakes-placed winner Transonic (Casino Prince) who has produced four winners, Abounding as well as Starsonic (Zoustar) who has won a staggering 14 races.
Absolute Flirt (Stratum) won twice at two and two more for good measure, highlighted by the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes, and her first foal, Lot 125, is a Pinatubo colt which has a pedigree designed for precocity. First season sire Pinatubo was a triple Gr1 winner at two in Europe and the
Shamardal cross with Danehill line horses has been extremely successful.
Telemon sold Astapor (Tassort) at this sale in 2023, and the colt won three times at two with earnings over $225,000. His half-brother, Lot 214, by Cosmic Force is out of winning mare Black Mink (Lonhro) who also won twice at two and she is a daughter of Listed winner Jasminka.
Bivouac filly, Lot 839, is out Reprimand, a fourtime winning full sister to Gr2 winner Fiesta (I Am Invincible) whose five wins netted her connections over $1.5millon. Reprimand’s first foal is a winner.
Microphone’s colt, Lot 1294, is the first foal of three-race winner Miss Tenthousand, who is a half-sister to the tough Gr1 winner Boban, winner of eleven races including five at Gr1 level. This colt’s second dam is Gr1 winner Kenbelle.
With the first yearlings by resident sire The Odyssey about to step into the ring, Telemon are entering an exciting phase for the Listed winning son of Better Than Ready. Known in Queensland as the King of QTIS, The Odyssey won the four races at two including the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and the QTIS 2YO Jewel. At three he won the QTIS 3YO Jewel and at four he added the Magic Millions QTIS Handicap to his suite. All up he won ten races and over
Colts paddock, Telemon Stud
Leading 2yo RED RESISTANCE headed the 2024 Telemon Stallion Roster
In 2025, Telemon Thoroughbreds will present a draft of 17 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
2025 draft
94 Ch./F Anders Why’re You Waiting
125 B./C Pinatubo (IRE) Absolute Flirt
214 B./C Cosmic Force Black Mink
383 B./F Wild Ruler Face Forward
674 B./F Portland Sky Miss Wonderland
720 Ch./F Zoustar Niccovi
839 B./F Bivouac Reprimand
1037 B./C Russian Camelot (IRE) Transonic
1062 B./C Acrobat Wooshka
1094 Ch./C Jungle Cat (IRE) Annatime
1098 B./F The Odyssey Ashwaq
1163 B./C King’s Legacy Dream First
1206 B./F Bivouac Hannah Luxe
1208 B. or Br./F Portland Sky Haven
1294 Br. or Blk./C Microphone Miss Tenthousand
1355 B./F Microphone Rumble Doll
1374 B./F Spirit of Boom She Za Boss
$1.7 million and is exactly the type of fast precocious tough racehorse that Queenslanders love.
“The Odyssey cultivated a cult following throughout his career. He was up and going in the first 2YO races in October, he won in elite company before Christmas and went on to have an incredible career. He won the QTIS clean sweep winning both two and three year-old Jewels and came back at four to win the $1M race on Magic Millions Classic day,” said Telemon’s Dan Fletcher.
A half-brother to Listed Hill Smith Stakes winner More Reward, Lot 1098, is a filly from The Odyssey’s first crop, and she is a fine representative for her sire. From the family of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Rhythm, most famous in this part of the world as the sire of Ethereal, this filly is from a Galileo mare who is a proven producer.
With a long history of producing quality racehorses, Telemon Thoroughbred’s draft looks like a great opportunity to find another Abounding or Party For Two.
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
www.tyreel.com
Linda Monds
m: 0427 948 244
e: linda@tyreel.com
100 Oaky Creed Road, Innisplain Qld 4285 07 5544 1003 0455 559 412
My stepson and I had Sunlight going for quite a bit in the Golden Eagle the day she got nutted on the line. Not exactly a “crazy” bet but one that will always haunt me.
If there was one chore you never had to do again, what would it be?
There’s two: and they’re both painting! Hate it.
What is on your bucket list?
Win a Stradbroke.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
Heart says SUNLIGHT. Head says probably General Nediym.
Sunlight: 2018 MM 2yo Classic
THE
Chase
Breeders of Ozzmosis and Communist, The Chase, the China Horse Club’s showpiece farm, enjoyed a great 2024 Magic Millions with nine yearlings finding homes.
It was an excellent average of $308,000 achieved, their well bred youngsters selling for up to $525,000. And they hope for all the more success this time around.
Lot 300 bay colt by Russian Revolution from Crystal Flute (Encosta de Lago)
A colt with “a stallion’s pedigree,” he is half-brother to the Group 1 placed Meritable out of the city winner Crystal Flute, daughter of the Group 2 placed Monsoon Wedding, sister to Redoute’s Choice.
“He’s a lovely quality colt and with plenty of presence,” said The China Horse Club’s Michael Smith, “and as good a Russian Revolution as we have bred; and we’ve bred his best; Communist and Revolutionary Miss. Both are line-bred to Fanfreluche just like this colt who also has duplications of the breed shapers Special and Shantha’s Choice; a genetic tour de force! And of course, his dam has already shown she can throw a horse who can compete at the highest level.”
Lot 339 chestnut colt by New Bay from Dusky Queen (Shamardal)
Dubawi’s French Derby-Gr1, 2100m hero New Bay is proving his worth as the sire of 17 stakes winners including three Group 1 winners.
“He is an elite young stallion by Dubawi in the vein of Too Darn Hot. He sits fifth on the European sires table by 2YO winners and gets plenty of high class horses.
In fact, China Horse Club have bred New Bay’s leading performer in multiple Group 1 winner and Royal Ascot heroine Saffron Beach. She was a stakes winner at two before training on to the highest level and this colt is very much in that mould. He’s got a lovely nature and way about him.”
Bred on the successful Dubawi/Shamardal cross, he is out of a stakes winner whose first four named foals are winners including the 2024 US Group 3 winner Royalty Interest and the stakes placed Un Instant and Nizaaka (also by New Bay).
Ozzmosis
Lot 470 bay filly by Stay Inside from Helix Park (Nicconi)
Her dam (a $650,000 broodmare purchase) has made a good start with her first foal being the multiple city winner Hyde whilst her three yearold Kamov, a $270,000 yearling, has trialled nicely for the Snowden stable.
“This is a sweet, athletic filly with great depth and a fantastic action and outlook. I have been impressed with the Stay Insides and she is a great representation. I can picture her saddled up walking around the parade ring in the 2YO features next season.”
Helix Park is a daughter of the Group 1 placed Galway Lass, dam of Listed winner Outdo and grandam of the stakes winners Celtic Tiger and Avisto; the latter dam of the dual Group 3 winner Annavisto.
Lot 551 bay filly by Russian Revolution from Just Zerene (Zoustar)
Bred on the same Russian Revolution/ Northern Meteor cross as Communist, she is another horse with a fascinating pedigree with her fourth dam being the wonderful Easy Date. A proven line-breeding force, she is the dam of Snippets, dam sire of Snitzel; hence a 5mX4f cross.
Her stakes placed dam is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Sharnee Rose and to the dam of the Listed winner Nistaan. They are amongst the 33 stakes winning descendants of Easy Date, joined by the Group 1 winners Forensics, Rewaaya, Sense Of Occasion, Oohood, Ertijaal and King’s Legacy.
“A crackerjack filly and a speed machine. Great strength and quality with a nice feminine touch. I really like her and we have a lot of faith in her dam who had much more ability than her record suggests. This girl is right up there with CHC bred Revolutionary Miss on type and we all know how good she has been from two to present.”
Lot 587 bay colt by Wild Ruler from Lady Xuxa (O’Reilly)
Bred on the prolific Redoute’s Choice/ Last Tycoon cross (a Best In Show duplication), he is out of a $450,000 broodmare purchase. “He is very much in the mould of his sire who China Horse Club purchased and raced to Group 1 success in our colt syndicate with Newgate. He’s got great size, scope and strength out of a mare by one of the world’s elite broodmare sires. It’s a page poised to explode with his halfsister Miss Fladgate impressing at the trials in New Zealand whilst Lady Xuxa’s 2YO Extreme Choice filly set to run this year has attracted good feedback.”
Her dam is the Listed winner Striker, dam of Group 3 filly First Impressions. Striker is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Calveen, the Group 2 winner Kosi Bay and the Group 3 winner Fireworks.
Lot 747 bay filly by Zoustar from Ordos Honor (Fastnet Rock)
Her dam, a $600,000 yearling, is a winning daughter of the dual stakes winner Valourina who did a remarkable job with her 13 winners. Amongst them is the Wakeful Stakes-Gr2, 2000m winner Timbourina, the dual Group winner Media and the Listed winner Cardinal Virtue. Also grandam of the stakes winners Tashbeeh and Noire, Valourina is a half-sister to the dual Group winner Brave Prince out of the wonderful filly Bravery.
“A robust leggy filly bred on the magic Zoustar/ Fastnet Rock cross. From 34 fillies to run for this cross ten (nearly 30%) are stakes horses including three Group 1 winners. That’s genetic dynamite, and she looks every bit the part. I think this filly will run 1200 - 1600m much in the mould of Joliestar and Zougotcha.”
Lot 786 chestnut filly by Zoustar from Pirapala (Sepoy)
“From a high class family,” she is out of a city winning (an $850,000 yearling) half-sister to the Robert Sangster Stakes-Gr1, 1200m winner Instant Celebrity.
“She is everything you’d look for in a Magic Millions yearling and runner. She looks precocious, has got the sire power, the strength, that Zoustar action and a high class family behind her. I really like her; she has been a very good individual from day one.”
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire
300 B./C Russian Revolution Crystal Flute
339 Ch./C New Bay (GB) Dusky Queen (IRE)
470 B./F Stay Inside Helix Park
551 B./F Russian Revolution Just Zerene
587 B./C Wild Ruler Lady Xuxa (NZ)
747 B./F Zoustar Ordos Honor
786 Ch./F Zoustar Pirapala
Michael Smith: 0455 405 136 michael.smith@chinahorseclub.com
Alex Kingston: 0447 264 718 alex@thechasefarm.com.au
TWIN HILLS Stud
Always excited to kick off the new year with the “hugely exciting event” that is the Magic Millions, Twin Hills; Olly Tait loves “showing off” the best of his and his clients’ yearlings early in the sales season.
As is the case with any stud, the greatest excitement is from selling the progeny of the stud’s own stallions and Tait is looking forward to showcasing a colt and a filly from the second crop of Twin Hills’ dual Group winning So You Think horse Peltzer.
Twin Hills enjoyed Magic Millions 2024 success with the breed, selling a filly out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Cosmic Powers to DGR Thoroughbred Services and Stokes Racing for $220,000; that bay now named Cosmic Shower.
Peltzer also has youngsters in such strong stables as Kris Lees, Michael Freedman, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Richard & Chantelle Jolly, Mathew Ellerton and Lindsay Park.
The first of the Twin Hills 2025 Peltzers is Lot 128, a chestnut filly out of Admission, a Bernardini city placed half-sister to stakes winners Strat’s Flyer and Bauble; described by Tait as being “a strong filly who has a great swagger when she moves.”
Meanwhile the Peltzer colt has Tait excited; “he is a glorious colt with scope and strength,” he said of Lot 321, a son of the six time winner Didnt Even Kiss Me whose dam is the dual stakes winner Homerette, grandam of stakes winner Substitution.
Twin Hills also offer a good selection of yearlings by outside stallions including a St Mark’s Basilica half-sister
to Cosmic Shower. Her dam is already proven having produced the stakes winner Lord Cosmos and her dam is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Golden Pistol and 3/4 sister to Listed winner Keep The Faith.
“She is a stunning filly with superb length and a great hindquarter.”
Last year’s draft had a youthful feel to it and it is the same again this time around with a number of Twin Hills’ yearlings being by up-and-coming stallions. Such as Lot 33 by Earthlight out of the Lonhro mare Tiny, a dual city winner out of the stakes placed Miniature, daughter of the Australasian Oaks-Gr.1, 2024m winner Rinky Dink.
“He is a quality colt with plenty of scope,” Tait said.
There there is Lot 205, a daughter of Anders and a half-sister to USA Champion Turf Horse English Channel, a six time Group 1 winner. “She is lovely filly with a stunning pedigree.”
The second foal for a winning daughter of Queensland Oaks-Gr.1, 2400m winner Tinto, Lot 278; “a very well balanced, correct horse” is by Blue Point out of the I Am Invincible mare Colours. This colt is bred on the sensational Shamardal/I Am Invincible cross found in champion Imperatriz.
And Lot 479 is a “strong, straightforward” son of Ghaiyyath and the Teofilo mare Hirondelle, daughter of the stakes placed Status Quo whose Group 3 placed daughter Cristobal produced the Group 2 winner Exploring.
He hails from the same branch of the Entreaty (dam of Phar Lap) family as the big race winners Trapeze Artist and Crawl.
“A lovely filly with loads of quality,” is Lot 613, a daughter of Palace Pier and the multiple city winner Lucciola, dam of the stakes placed multiple city winner Lucicello from the family of the Group 1 gallopers Conduit and Glass Harmonium.
Lot 645 by Written By is bound to attract attention being a brother to the 2024 Silver Slipper Stakes-Gr.2, 1200m winner Straight Charge out of a placed half-sister to Written Tycoon’s Group winners Winning Rupert and Tycoon Evie.
“He is a beautiful colt with scope, strength and a lovely head.”
This Written Tycoon/I Am Invincible combo works; Straight Charge joined by Mishani Lily as exciting current stakes winners amongst 17 winners from 23 runners.
The Home Affairs weanlings sold exceptionally well and is much is expected from his first group of yearlings. Lot 802 out of the Group 3 winner Princess Of Queens is of those, Tait describing him as “a big, powerful horse with nice hindquarters.”
Princess Of Queens is a sister to the Group 3 galloper Prince Of Brooklyn and her dam is a granddaughter of Horse Of The Year Research.
The first yearlings by Captivant are also well anticipated and he has Lot 872, “sharp, early sort in the mould of his grand sire.” He is the first foal for a mare who recorded an easy win at just her second and final start and who hails from a high class Canadian family.
Bivouac is another horse on many good judge’s hit list and he has Lot 968, “a colt with good size, strength and bone and a nice outlook,” out of the dual Moonee Valley winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Something Silver.
The draft also has a couple by well established proven stallions, such as Hellbent who has Lot 277, a member of the great Best In Show family. Out of the Galileo mare Colourmegal, she is “a classy, straightforward filly typical of those produced by her sire.”
As well as Capitalist who has Lot 287, “a sharp, forward looking colt” who is the third foal for the Medaglia d’Oro mare Consolation, a daughter of Magic Night StakesGr.2, 1200m winner Altar whose dam Hosannah won four Group races.
Trainers love Nicconis and his chestnut son, Lot 544, is a “a well related colt with a nice shape that moves well” out of the Choisir mare Jester Jewel (Choisir), dam of the 2024 Without Fear Stakes-LR, 1200m winner Pure Aqua out of a sister to Group 3 winner Rockshaft.
Hailing from a local speed family that has the Tait family’s legendary Dark Jewel as its ancestress, he has amongst his relations the stakes winners Marveen, Danzippo, Pampelonne and the Group 1 filly Danglissa.
Question time with Olly Tait...
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
Getting into the horse business!
Describe your perfect day.
Any day I spend with Amber, Rupert, Freddy and Daisy Tait.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
The first, Snippets, who stood at Twin Hills when it was Transmedia Park Stud.
33 B./C Earthlight (IRE) Tiny
128 Ch./F Peltzer Admission
205 B./F Anders Belveeta (USA)
277 B. or Br./F Hellbent Colourmegal
278 Br./C Blue Point (IRE) Colours
287 B./C Capitalist Consolation
289 B. or Br./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Cosmic Powers
321 B. or Br./C Peltzer Didnt Even Kiss Me
479 B./C Ghaiyyath (IRE) Hirondelle
544 Ch./C Nicconi Jester Jewel
613 Ch./F Palace Pier (GB) Lucciola (IRE)
645 B./C Written By Matryoshka
802 B./C Home Affairs Princess of Queens
872 Ch./C Captivant Saivata
968 Ch./C Bivouac Something Silver
TYREEL Stud
Linda and Laurence Monds have made a wonderful success of Tyreel Stud since becoming involved over a decade ago. The farm is nestled on the banks of the Nepean River in the fertile Hawkesbury Valley which has produced quality thoroughbreds since colonial days. Tyreel has become renowned for astute sire and broodmare selections, for meeting the market and for producing horses that run up to their looks. Their 2025 Magic Millions draft is sure to add to the farm’s glowing reputation among buyers.
Tyreel Stud enjoyed its usual successful Magic Millions in 2024, selling all ten yearlings fetching up to $575,000. They always present a popular draft and Manager Alex Barlow took us through them...
Lot 97 bay/brown filly by So You Think from Wild Vixen (Foxwedge)
“A lovely filly with her sire’s distinctive head,” she is the second foal for a dual stakes winning daughter of the stakes placed Shamardal mare Amy’s Glen.
“She has impressive length and scope with correct conformation and a balanced walk.”
Lot 140 bay colt by Prague from All Too Free (All Too Hard)
“A striking prospect with natural strength, good bone and a powerful hip,” he is out of a city winning half-sister to the stakes winners Ravi and Elzaam from a classy American family; that of the Group 1 gallopers Point Ashley and Paola Queen.
“He has a kind eye and a strong presence and he promises to be a fast, early two year-old.”
Lot 222 chestnut filly by St Mark’s Basilica from Blue Valley (Lope de Vega)
This “lovely, well balanced filly” is out of an imported winning half-sister to the Italian Champion 3YO Stayer Burma Gold and
to the dams of the stakes winners Sober, Devil, Bolivie, Bay Of Poets and Blue de Vega.
“She moves gracefully and reflects her sire’s quality; she carries an undeniable elegance.”
Lot 388 bay colt by Farnan from Fashion Icon (More Than Ready)
This “naturally sound and balanced” colt is out of a half-sister to the speedy stakes Espaaniyah from a prolific family whose members include She’s Extreme, Le Mans, Detours, Aichi, Kinshachi and Hioctdane.
Bred on the highly successful Danehill/More Than Ready cross, “he has an intelligent eye and he has quality conformation to match.”
Lot 393 bay colt by Snitzel from Festival Miss (Bernardini)
“A farm favourite from birth,” he is out of a stakes placed multiple city winner from the prolific Group One family fostered by Bob Peters; that of Regal Power and Arcadia Queen.
“Correct on type with standout attributes, he is a highlight who we are excited to present.”
Lot 412 brown colt by So You Think from Folk Dress (Pierro)
“A true stamp of his sire, a leggy colt who boasts impressive size, scope and strength,” he is the second foal (her first sold for $320,000) for a Group 3 placed winner from the family of the spring carnival Group 1 winner Buckaroo.
“He moves effortlessly and has been a straightforward individual from the start.”
Lot 500 bay colt by Capitalist from Impetuous (Fastnet Rock) Out of a proven broodmare whose four winners include Capitalist’s stakes placegetter Pure Paradise,
he is “a fine representation of his sire, combining good looks with natural muscle and a smooth action. He appears ready for an early start.”
This is a great local family, that of the big race winners Demerger, Defier, Triscay and La Baraka.
Lot 557 bay colt by Exceedance from Keena (Acclamation)
A half-brother to metropolitan winners in Melbourne, Brisbane and Hong Kong (Keena’s first three foals), he is an “athletic and well-proportioned colt with a nice shape.”
His imported dam also produced the stakes winners Keratiya and Kerasona and this is the same classy international family as the Group 1 winners Kalanisi, Kalapour, Rockdale and Fanatic.
Lot 937 bay colt by Hellbent from Sicilian Miss (Northern Meteor)
The son of a half-sister to Wakeful Stakes-Gr2, 2000m winner Tiamo Grace, he is “a great type, a mature colt with impressive girth and size and flashy markings.”
He hails from the same branch of the prolific Fanfreluche family as the Group 1 winners Aube Indienne, Erupt, Pear Tart and I Am A Star.
Lot 974 bay colt by Dundeel from Spanner Head (Helmet)
Out of stakes placed multiple city winner, he is “an athletic, wellbuilt yearling with strong movement who quickly impressed us upon arrival.”
Lot 1058 bay colt by Pierata from White House Girl (Winning Rupert)
His dam (whose fourth dam is the multiple Group 1 winner Miltak) showed talent; a game second at debut before bolting in at her second/final start.
“A compact, muscular colt with powerful hindquarters, he has shown great progress and is eager in all tasks asked of him.”
Lot 1115 grey colt by Capitalist from Blume (Fastnet Rock)
Out of a half-sister to Listed winner Fullazz whose son D’Argento won the Rosehill Guineas-Gr1, 2000m, he also has amongst his relations the Group 1 winners Attrition and Sizzling.
“A powerful colt with a compact frame, he has been a joy to work with. His dark steel grey coat and strong build make him a standout.”
Lot 1181 chestnut colt by Russian Revolution from Fly By (Charge Forward)
An easy winner at her only start, Fly By is passing on her speed with her Tyreel owned son Fly Scotty Fly a trial winner for Ryan and Alexiou.
www.tyreel.com
Linda Monds
m: 0427 948 244
Lot 1262 chestnut colt by Tiger Of Malay from Lochita (Lonhro)
Out of a city placegetter whose grandam is the high class Arborea, he hails from the family of the Group winners Delta Form, Mondorani, Drumbeats, Paris Dream and Binding.
“He is a well built colt with plenty of bone and size. And he has a friendly, easy going temperament.”
Question time with Alex Barlow... If there was one chore you never had to do again, what would it be?
Cleaning windows is a pet hate; it’s frustrating when you think it’s done, and you still see smudge marks!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Comparison is the thief of joy, stay humble and honest, work hard and smile doing it.
Where is the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever visited? I love to travel; I couldn’t narrow it to one... Salzburg and the Alps, and Ko Lanta for a beach vibe near Krabi.
97 B. or Br./F So You Think (NZ) Wild Vixen
140 B./C Prague All Too Free
222 Ch./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Blue Valley (IRE)
388 B./C Farnan Fashion Icon
393 B./C Snitzel Festival Miss
412 Br./C So You Think (NZ) Folk Dress
500 B./C Capitalist Impetuous
557 B./C Exceedance Keena (FR)
937 B./C Hellbent Sicilian Miss
974 B./C Dundeel (NZ) Spanner Head
1058 B./C Pierata White House Girl
1115 Gr./C Capitalist Blume
1181 Ch./C Russian Revolution Fly By
1262 Ch./C Tiger of Malay Lochita
www.tyreel.com
e: linda@tyreel.com
A member of the speedy Midnight Fever and Startling Lass family, he is “a robust colt with scope and size as well as natural muscle and strength; and a pleasing temperament.”
Linda Monds m: 0427 948 244 e: linda@tyreel.com
VINERYStud
It’s hard to find a more beautiful and successful farm in the Hunter Valley, or anywhere for that matter, than Vinery. The farm’s mixture of rolling hills and fertile riverbanks offers everything needed to produce elite thoroughbreds.
Formerly owned by the legendary Lionel Israel, the farm is thriving under the ownership of Gerry Harvey and partners. Under the astute management of renowned horseman Peter Orton and Adam White, the winners flow constantly from the iconic property.
Vinery Stud has launched two stallions in recent years in spectacular fashion with both Exceedance and Ole Kirk siring pre-Christmas stakes winning two-year-olds with their first crop. Exceedance’s oldest crop are three
and include Group winners Dublin Down and Flyer, plus SW Swiftfalcon and SP Exceed The Planet. Ole Kirk, whose oldest crop have just turned two, already siring Gr3 Breeders’ Plate winner King Kirk and Gr3 Gimcrack S runnerup O’Ole only a few months into the new season. With 38 yearlings in their draft, Vinery’s 2025 yearlings are spread across 17 different stallions. Vinery sold Gr2 winner Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot) at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a perfect example of
a yearling by an outside stallion going on to success from their farm, as are recent sales graduates Growing Empire and Gatsby’s. Three yearlings by Exceedance have already caught the eyes of judges during early inspections at the farm. Lot 166 is a half-brother to dual Gr2 winner Roots (Press Statement), being out of Arctic Success, a half-sister to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, dam of Listed winner Lillemore.
The Exceedance colt, Lot 308, out of Dayeala (Starcraft) comes from the family of Irish Champion 2YO Grey Swallow, who trained on to win the Gr1 Irish Derby. His dam, Dayeala, is a half-sister to Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes winner Sky Punch (Alamosa) who won five races. Dayeala’s first foal, Much Much Better has won eight races and twice ran fourth in Group 2 company, and her next two foals are also winners that are currently in work and may continue to upgrade the pedigree.
An Exceedance half-brother to two stakes winners, being Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Aspect and Listed winner Brown Ben, Lot 501 is out of five-race winning mare Innishbeg (Lonhro), who is a halfsister to Gr3 winner Sexy Eyes and Listed winner Tina Melina.
Ole Kirk retired to stud as dual Gr1 winning three-year-old who’d also won a Listed race on debut at two. Big things were expected and he’s already delivered with King Kirk, while O’ Ole was second on debut in the Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes. In 2025, Vinery will offer two Ole Kirk fillies in their Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft who have interesting pedigrees. Closely related to Zougotcha, Lot 917, is out of Sharpness, a speedy city winning mare whose first two foals have already won six races between them. Sharpness is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Crystal Dreamer and to stakes placed winner Fast Talker, dam of triple Gr1 winner Zougotcha, and Listed winners The Actuary and Persuader.
The Ole Kirk filly, Lot 970, is out of Sonja, a young full sister to Gr2 Reisling Stakes winner Tenley (Medaglia d’Oro) and a halfsister to Gr3 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Biscayne Bay, meaning this pedigree has plenty of precocious form.
Yearlings by Brutal, Captivant, Earthlight, Exceed and Excel, Frankel, I Am Invincible, Maurice, Pinatubo, Prague, Russian Revolution, Snitzel, St Mark’s Basilica, Tassort, The Autumn Sun, Too Darn Hot, Toronado, Victor Ludorum and Zousain show Vinery Stud’s commitment to the broader industry with the farm and their clients supporting a large range of stallions.
The Frankel colt, Lot 272, is a half-brother to Gr1 Doncaster Handicap winner Nettoyer (Sebring), and his dam, Cleanup, is a halfsister to Gr3 winner She’s Clean, from the family of Gr1 winner and Champion Sprinter in Japan Kinshasa No Kiseki.
A half-sister to Gr3 winner Femminile is Lot 392. Femminile, sold at auction by Vinery Stud, is the first foal for Femme Fireball, who won seven races and was stakes placed. Femme Fireball is a full sister to Rock, winner of the Gr3 Cameron Handicap twice, and placed in the Gr1 Cantala Stakes.
Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“Bold Promise or Testa Rossa,” said Vinery’s Adam White.
If there was one chore you never had to do again, what would it be?
Taking garbage out.
Who sticks out as being an early positive influence in your life?
Probably my Grandfather.
Do you prefer calls or texts?
Either. It really doesn’t faze me. But if I am doing cards at a sale then text is easier!
21 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Thelittleracketeer
50 B./C Ole Kirk True Quality
91 B./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Whelk
121 B. or Br./C Tassort Zuzzudio
166 B./C Exceedance Arctic Success
170 B./F Russian Revolution Artistic Lass
181 B./C Exceedance Authority Belle
257 B./C Russian Revolution Champagne Ready
264 B./C I Am Invincible Chica Fuerte
272 Ch./C Frankel (GB) Cleanup
276 B./C The Autumn Sun College Girl
280 B./C Toronado (IRE) Commanding Jewel
303 B. or Br./C Ole Kirk Dana Point
308 Br. or Gr./C Exceedance Dayeala (NZ)
372 B./F Maurice (JPN) Etana
392 B. or Br./F Pinatubo (IRE) Femme Fireball
462 B./F I Am Invincible Haraka (IRE)
511 B. or Br./C Exceedance Innishbeg
524 B./F The Autumn Sun Islands
650 B./C Snitzel Medovina
665 Gr./C Exceedance Miss Dusty (NZ)
679 B./F Zousain Money Wanted
829 B./F Exceed and Excel Rainbow Falls (IRE)
845 B./C Toronado (IRE) Risque (NZ)
867 B./F I Am Invincible Saas Fee
878 B./F Snitzel Sanity
917 B./F Ole Kirk Sharpness
942 B./F Exceedance Singing River
962 B. or Br./C Brutal (NZ) So Magic
970 B. or Br./F Ole Kirk Sonja
1087 Ch./C Star Turn All in the Reflexs
1100 Ch./C Earthlight (IRE) Assertin Miss 1144 B./F Captivant Dark Love
1239 B./C Captivant Jill (NZ)
1321 Ch./C Victor Ludorum (GB) Pavillion
1364 B./F Prague Se Sauver
1379 Ch. or Gr./C Captivant Shivani
1399 B./F Star Turn Sweet Love
Peter Orton: 0418 276 454
Adam White: 0414 800 918
Harry Roach: 0401 970 006 www.vinery.com.au adam@vinery.com.au
WIDDEN Stud
Widden Stud and its sensational sire Zoustar are set to shine at the 2025 Magic Millions sale in January.
With seventh generation owner Antony Thompson at the helm, Widden has seized the nettle of the commercial bloodstock industry, expanding its Widden Valley NSW operation to a second base in Victoria, offering an exciting roster of both proven and promising stallions to suit all budgets and pedigree tastes.
The farm’s 2025 Magic Millions offering of 70 yearlings is spearheaded by the great Zoustar who is Australia’s incumbent leading sire of winners, stakeswinners and Group One winners. Runnerup on the overall list, he seems set to take that title sooner rather than later as the youngest among his key rivals.
Zoustar recently added another string to his bow with Starlust finding a withering burst to take the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint becoming his ninth individual Gr1 winner and second bred in the northern hemisphere. Among the six superbly bred Zoustars in the Widden draft will be lot 224 out of Gr1 winner Bonaria. This
colt is a full brother to current Group performer Miss Aria and is from the family of Jolie Bay, Legally Bay, Airman, Paulele and Merchant Navy. They all trace to the Foysters’ wonderful imported mare Gypsy Moss; one of the best families in the Stud Book.
Widden will also offer five youngsters from the first crop of flying Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky who looks a likely successor to his own successful sire Deep Field.
There will be plenty of opportunity to access the other talented Widden sires with 18 by Champion sprinter Trapeze Artist, 4 by Zousain, 4 by Anders, 3 by Written By, 2 by Russian Camelot and one each by Doubtland, Rebel Dane and Supido.
The stellar draft includes a Wootton Bassett halfsister to multiple Group winner and Gr1 Australian Guineas runnerup Lightsaber, a Zoustar filly from a winning sister to Gr1 winner Shout The Bar, a Zoustar filly from a 5 time winning half-sister to Champion mare and 14 time Gr1 winner Melody Belle, a colt who is by USA sire sensation Gun Runner out of a stakes winning young
Zoustar
The farm’s 2025 Magic Millions offering of 70 yearlings is spearheaded by the great Zoustar who is Australia’s incumbent leading sire of winners, stakeswinners and Group One winners
American mare, a Snitzel colt out of the flying Group winning mare Humma Humma whose first foal is already stakes placed, and a Trapeze Artist colt from the family of current multiple champion sire I Am Invincible.
With 45 yearlings in Book One and 25 catalogued in Book Two there will be horses to suit buyers across a wide range of budgets. And most importantly, they will all have been raised and prepared with the same care and attention to detail that has been Widden’s hallmark, originally in the Valley Of Champions, and now in Victoria also.
Antony Thompson expressed great confidence in the potential of the 2025 Magic Millions offering when speaking to Bluebloods. “Apart from the quality of the sires representing the farm, and the great families the yearlings come from, I’m probably most excited about the fact that in the past year Widden has sold more Group One winners at yearling sales than any other farm. Our three Gr1 graduates Zougotcha, Climbing Star and Griff exemplify what we are about at Widden.”
“Since 2020 we’ve sold yearlings for $3million, $2.6million, $2.2million, $1.9million, $1.7million among others, which is a great vote of confidence by the market in the horses raised on our farm. And as exciting as those sales are, seeing our sale horses winning big races on the track is every bit as significant.”
“There has been phenomenal interest in recent yearling sales in the northern hemisphere, so I’m really looking forward to the first sale of the year here in Australia and catching up with clients and friends.”
24 Br./C Trapeze Artist Thrill (NZ)
63 Br./C Russian Camelot (IRE) Vandancer (NZ)
85 B./C Written By Wanalirri
92 B./F Pierata Whitten’s Delight
114 Br./C Portland Sky Zestful
119 Ch./F Trapeze Artist Zou Island
215 Br./F So You Think (NZ) Black Tulip
224 B./C Zoustar Bonaria
330 Ch./F Exceed and Excel Dosh
333 B./C Trapeze Artist Drappier (NZ)
334 Br./F Wootton Bassett (GB) Dream Cirque
342 Br./F Trapeze Artist Easy for Me
350 B./C Exceed and Excel Eleusa
356 B./F Zoustar Emerald Bay
359 B./C Supido En Aval
377 B./F Zoustar Exaltation (NZ)
381 B./F St Mark’s Basilica (FR) Exoplanet
407 Ch./F Trapeze Artist Flirtini
418 B./F Farnan Freehearted
419 Ch./C Toronado (IRE) French Emotion
445 Ch./C Zoustar Good Vibes (GB)
446 B./C Portland Sky Gossip Queen
454 Ch./C Gun Runner (USA) Grantland (ARG)
480 B./C Portland Sky Hollaback Girl 489 B./C Snitzel Humma Humma
490 B./F Trapeze Artist Hummalong
535 B./C Portland Sky Jawhara
575 B./F Zousain La Chica Bella
579 Br./F Zoustar La Tigeresa
602 B./C Zousain Little Miss Magic
617 Ch./F Capitalist Lucy Mae
631 Br./C Trapeze Artist Majestic Pedrille
643 Br./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Mashrabiya
688 Br./F Trapeze Artist More Than a Legend (USA)
725 B./F Home Affairs Nimbostratus (FR)
729 B./C I Am Invincible Nomothaj
804 Br./C Wootton Bassett (GB) Princess Wildfire
830 B./F Zousain Rapid Romance
922 Br./C Zoustar She’s So High
924 Ch./C Written By Sheeznodoubt
933 Ch./C Anders Shorthand
956 B./C Home Affairs Smart Coupe
981 B./F Wild Ruler Spring Colours (GB)
989 B./C Farnan Steal My Kisses
1013 Ch./F Trapeze Artist Sweet Gisel (USA)
1023 Br./F Doubtland Taqaareed
1032 B./C Extreme Warrior Thurlow
1041 B./F Hellbent True Kisses
1105 Ch./F Anders Bacosi
1126 B./F Zousain Casino Star
1133 B./F All Too Hard Colour Drops
1172 B./F Yes Yes Yes Exselva
1173 Br./F Trapeze Artist Fabulous Fran
1200 Ch./F Trapeze Artist Gottalikeher (NZ)
1234 Ch./C Trapeze Artist It’s Easy
1237 B./C Written By Janneke
1246 B./C Portland Sky L’Elu
1259 Ch./C Trapeze Artist Little Bita Love
1273 Ch./C Anders Mallaco Princess
1297 B./F Rebel Dane Mistress Mouse
1313 Br./C Trapeze Artist O’Princess (NZ)
1322 B./C Russian Revolution Pearl Star
1328 B./C Russian Camelot (IRE) Poetry in Motion
1337 B./C Trapeze Artist Quality Coup
www.widden.com
info@widden.com 02 6549 9999
Widden Valley, NSW
Antony Thompson: 0427 470 507
Derek Field: 0408 492 495
Matt Comerford: 0424 742 672
Billy Primmer: 0417 310 876
1358 B./C Hellbent Safe Passage
1360 B./C Anders Sagatona
1368 B./F Trapeze Artist Secret Venture
1376 Ch./C Trapeze Artist She’s My Girl
1377 Ch./F Trapeze Artist She’s Not
1386 B./F Palace Pier (GB) Sorpesee
YARRAMALONGPark
Richard and Joanie Foster’s Yarramalong Park at Kalbar in Queensland has been developed into a highly successful commercial enterprise with an outstanding record of winner production.
The success story has continued since Yarramalong syndicated the exciting Better Than Ready who stands at Lyndhurst Stud Farm. The son of More Than Ready is consistently one of Australia’s leading sires of winners and has helped Yarramalong achieve sale prices of 530K, 370K, 300K (2) etc for his yearlings.
Better Than Ready holds the record for the most runners in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic from a stallion’s first crop with four, and while that race was won by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo’s older sister Exhilarates, Better Than Ready did find a winner of the race with Skirt The Law in 2023 and a second with Alpine Edge who was terribly unlucky in 2021.
“We have a couple of good prospects for the 2025 race but they have yet to race so it’s too early to spruik them,” said Yarramalong’s Richard Foster. Port Lockroy’s excellent close up 6th in the Golden Eagle, where he beat a number of Gr1 winners’ home, has earned him a trip to Perth for the Gr1 Railway Stakes and a shot at the Gr2 Ingham in December.
Yarramalong’s draft includes 17 by their stallion Better Than Ready, with a further five yearlings by Bivouac, Brutal, Farnan, Home Affairs, and King’s Legacy.
“We’ve been upgrading our mares over the last few years, so the more recent progeny of the farm should show that new potential.”
Many of the yearlings in Yarramalong’s draft are out of well related young mares and reflect those upgrades. A full brother to Gr2 winning Chrysaor (Better Than Ready) is Lot 718. This family has performed well in
Port Lockroy
Better Than Ready, the proven Magic Millions 2yo sire will be represented by 17 quality yearlings in the 2025 Yarramalong draft.
Australia and Hong Kong, with Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Silent Witness a key member. This yearling’s dam is a full sister to triple Listed winner Religify (Choisir). Also from this family is Lot 1308, a King’s Legacy filly out of Newmore, an unraced half-sister to Chrysaor.
Those wanting a classy filly with immediate residual value should inspect Lot 898, a Better Than Ready half-sister to dual Gr3 Amangiri (All Too Hard) and Gr1 Queen Of The Turf placed More Secrets (More Than Ready). Their dam Secret Indulgence is a winning half-sister to Gr1 Victoria Derby winner Amalfi (Carnegie).
Better Than Ready colt, Lot 120, is the third foal of unraced mare Zunaida (Deep Field) who is a half-sister to South Africa’s Horse of The Year and four-time Gr1 winner Igugu (Galileo), Gr3 Craven Plate winner Honorius (Holy Roman Emperor) and Listed winner Ngaga (Fastnet Rock). Gayika, an unraced sister to Igugu, is the dam of Gr2 Stan Fox Stakes winner Tarka (All Too Hard) who ran fourth in the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes.
Out of a half-sister to Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Rewaaya (Singspiel), Lot 526 is a Better Than Ready filly who is the third live foal for young unraced mare Istiraaha (Redoute’s Choice). Rewaaya’s winning halfsister Sawaan (Zabeel) is the dam of Gr1 Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion (Street Sense), while Rewaaya herself has been a solid broodmare with six winners and is the granddam of Mauritius Horse Of The Year Alshibaa (Street Cry) who won 13 races and was stakes placed in South Africa. The filly is a full sister to promising Isti Star who is heading towards the Magic Millions 2YO.
A racy Farnan colt, Lot 158, is beautifully related being a half-brother to Listed Northam Cup placed In Good Order (American Pharoah), out of two time two year-old winner Angharad (Exceed And Excel). Angharad is a half-sister to group winner Sweynesse (Lonhro), sire of Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Lucky Sweynesse, and to Gr3 winner Rimraam (Commands). Both Sweynesse and Rimraam were also Gr1 placed on several occasions.
Remember how fast Catchy was? A highlight lot for the Yarramalong draft will be Lot 59, a colt by Home Affairs who is the first foal of Catchy’s unraced full sister Unofficial (Fastnet Rock). Catchy won six races, four at two, including the Gr1 Blue Diamond, training on to win the Gr2 Danehill Stakes at three and place in the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas and Gr1 William Reid Stakes. Unofficial and Catchy are out of dual Gr2 winner and Gr1 MRC Thousand Guineas placed Cat’s Whiskers (Fusaichi Pegasus).
What is your most-used emoji? “Thumbs up.”
What’s the craziest bet you have ever made?
“I don’t bet these days, so it’d be a long time ago. Standing a stallion, that’s a pretty big bet. We have Better Than Ready and this year, we have Alpine Edge at Clear Mountain Stud and he’s served over 105 mares already which is a good start.”
Describe your perfect day.
“One of our F brand horses winning a big race.” Who is the best Magic Millions 2YO winner you have seen?
“Has there been a better one than Snippets? I have missed a few but he stands out in my memory.”
2025 draft
Lot Col/Sex Sire Dam
59 B./C Home Affairs Unofficial
120 Br./C Better Than Ready Zunaida
158 Ch./C Farnan Angharad
526 Br. or Blk./F Better Than Ready Istiraaha
655 Br. or Blk./C Better Than Ready Merirosvo (USA)
718 Br./C Better Than Ready New Wings
733 B./F Better Than Ready Not a Single Woman
898 Br. or Blk./F Better Than Ready Secret Indulgence (NZ)
1069 Br./C Better Than Ready Yukon Dance
1092 Blk./F Better Than Ready Andaluz
1134 Br./C Brutal (NZ) Commanding Epic
1157 Br./F Better Than Ready Djiva (GB)
1171 B./F Bivouac Epic Emirates (GB)
1179 B. or Br./C Better Than Ready Finishing Touch (GB)
1189 B./C Better Than Ready Garter (IRE)
1212 Br. or Blk./C Better Than Ready Hepburn
1226 B./C Better Than Ready Imposter Elle
1308 B./F King’s Legacy Newmore
1316 Br./F Better Than Ready One Fire Beach
1334 Br./C Better Than Ready Proprioception (USA)
1365 B./F Better Than Ready Seagull
1370 B./F Better Than Ready Serial
YULONG
It’s been a banner year for Yulong with Via Sistina making the right headlines on the track and young sires Alabama Express and Pierata emerging as exciting stallions. The Yulong draft for the 2025 Magic Millions is set to continue the trend. The farm’s draft is dominated by sons and daughters of their own stallions; and why not with their roster so impressive.
Led by the Champion Sire Written Tycoon whose dozen yearlings in the draft are bound to prove popular on the back of another good year for that dashing chestnut. The evergreen super sire has already produced two Group 1 winners this season in Southport Tycoon and Private Life, alongside a number of high class Group winners including 2YO colt Tycoon Star, a graduate of Yulong’s 2024 Gold Coast draft.
The first of those is Lot 49 out of True Moonlight by Not A Single Doubt; dam sire of 14 winners (from 16 runners) including three stakes winners by Written Tycoon. Next up is Lot 110 out of the multiple city winning I Am Invincible mare Zac Attack, Lot 122 out of a half-sister to the European Champion 3YO Stayer Rule Of Law, Lot 185 out of the high class Snitzel (another great cross for Written Tycoon) mare Away Game.
“Obviously everyone is going to want to see the Away Game filly,” said Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray.
“She is similar to her dam, not big but very strong, a great walker with a bombproof temperament. She is going to prove popular.”
Other good representatives for Written Tycoon include Lot 251 out of the dual Group winning I Am Invincible mare Catch Me, Lot 354 out of a Siyouni daughter of the Group 1 mare Magical Romance, Lot 355, a half-sister to the South African Champion 2YO colt Soqrat, Lot 456 out of the dual Group winner Greysful Glamour, Lot 473 a half-brother to the triple Group 3 winner My Whisper and Lot 505 out of the dual Group 1 winner In Her Time.
Speaking of stallions in form, Alabama Express could not have made a more encouraging start to his stud career. A horse who raced just the once at two, he has sired a number of nice early comers who looked bound to improve at three. And they have been doing just that, with Yulong homebred Treasurethe Moment posting a classy first Group 1 win for her young sire in the VRC Oaks.
Yulong is taking four Alabama Express yearlings to the Magic Millions with two of those being out of daughters of Written Tycoon (a cross which was three winners from three runners at the time of writing); Lot 652 from the family of Sunlight and Lot 860 out of a city winning half-sister to the Group 2 winner Twilight Royale.
Meanwhile Lot 928 is out of the Group 2 placed So You Think mare Shezathinka whilst Lot 1135
is a filly from the same family as Redoute’s Choice; boasting a 3 X 4 cross of Shantha’s Choice.
Over the spring serving his fourth book of mares, Tagaloa had his first two runners finish in the placings (in the same race). Seven of the Yulong Magic Millions yearlings are by him and he kicks off their sale with the very first Lot being his filly out of the stakes placed city winning Snitzel mare Talented, daughter of the dual Group 2 winner Exceptionally.
Other nice representations of the sire include Lot 137 a half-sister to the Group 3 placed Karavas and Lot 286 out of the Group 1 mare Consensus whose fourth dam is Surround. “We really like the Tagaloa types we are taking to the Magic Millions,” Fairgray said. “His progeny have already been showing good speed.”
There is also good early word surrounding Lucky Vega, the Phoenix Stakes-Gr1, 1200m winner whose first runners have already included easy debut winner Vega For Luck and Listed Inglis Banner victrix Within The Law, the latter purchased from the Yulong draft as a yearling.
“Our Lucky Vega Magic Millions yearlings are very similar in type; they are all neat, strong, precocious looking horses.”
Yulong is taking four of his progeny through the ring including a filly (Lot 724) from the family of Sea Siren and a half-sister to the Group 3 placed Rhythm Of Love (Lot 732).
The progeny of Grunt are regular visitors to the winner’s stall and his Yulong Magic Millions colt is an exceptionally well related son of the Street Cry mare Shamar whose third dam is a half-sister to Shantha’s Choice. This is the prolific Best In Show family from which Try My Best, Grunt’s great grandsire, also hails.
Yulong also presents a number of yearlings by outside stallions including five by the mighty Frankel who, as Fairgray says “needs no introduction.”
Three of those are fillies including Lot 675, a daughter of the South African
Group 1 winner Missisippi Burning and Lot 742 whose Group 1 winning grandam Heat Haze is a daughter of the great Hasili. His colts are Lot 705 from the family of Twilight Payment and Lot 789, also from the Hasili family.
Another Champion Sire is represented in the draft, two colts by I Am Invincible with the first of those, Lot 207 bound to be a sale stand out being a full brother to Imperatriz.
“He is a powerful, very fast looking colt,” Fairgray enthused.
There are also two by I Am Invincible’s exciting young son Home Affairs; a halfsister (Lot 102) to the Group 2 placed Snowman out of a city winning daughter of More Joyous and Lot 232, the first foal for Listed winner Broadwayandfourth.
“The Home Affair weanlings were very well received, and I think they are going to be liked as yearlings as well.”
Proven stallion Proisir has a filly (Lot 749) from the Eight Carat family whilst a couple of young up and comers have colts; Too Darn Hot has a half-brother to the stakes placed Stardealt (Lot 184) and St Mark’s Basilica has a colt from the family of high-class New Zealand filly Captured By Love (Lot 576).
“It is a really nice selection of yearlings by a spread of proven and younger stallions,” Sam said.
Question time with Sam Fairgray... What is your favourite memory?
The birth of my children Ethan and Holly and in regard to racing, Miss Finland’s Golden Slipper. I was there when she was born, there when she was sold and there when she won!
What is on your bucket list?
Winning the Melbourne Cup!
What is your favourite beach on the Gold Coast?
Main Beach, we go there for dinner, it’s a great place to go out.
B./F Tagaloa Talented
Tagaloa Time is Precious
Ch./C Written Tycoon True Moonlight
B./C Written Tycoon Zac Attack
Br. or Blk./C Written Tycoon A Little Jewel (IRE)
Br./F Tagaloa All of Me 184 Br. or Blk./C Too Darn Hot (GB) Awake the Stars
B./F Written Tycoon Away Game
B./C I Am Invincible Berimbau
B. or Br./F Home Affairs Broadwayandfourth
Written Tycoon Catch Me
B./F Tagaloa Close to Me
B./C Tagaloa Consensus (NZ)
Ch./C Written Tycoon Elvic (GB)
Ch./F Written Tycoon Elzeeza 456 Blk. or G./C Written Tycoon Greysful Glamour 473 Ch./C Written Tycoon Hersigh (GB)
505 Ch./C Written Tycoon In Her Time
576 B./C St Mark’s Basilica (FR) La Girl
652 Br./F Alabama Express Melisma
675 Br./F Frankel (GB) Missisippi Burning (SAF)
705 B./C Frankel (GB) My Holy Fox (IRE)
724 B./F Lucky Vega (IRE) Night Express
732 B./F Lucky Vega (IRE) Not a Cherry
742 Gr./F Frankel (GB) Of Good Cheer (GB)
749 B. or Br./F Proisir Our Crown Jewels (NZ)
768 B. or Br./C Lucky Vega (IRE) Pattle Reef (IRE)
789 B. or Br./C Frankel (GB) Pledged (GB)
860 Br./C Alabama Express Royal Obsession
894 Ch./F Written Tycoon Seababe
901 Ch./C Written Tycoon Seemingly Discreet 913 Br./C Grunt (NZ) Shamar
928 B. or Br./F Alabama Express Shezathinka
954 B./F Frankel (GB) Small Print (GB)
1011 B./C I Am Invincible Suspicieuse (FR)
1072 B./F Lucky Vega (IRE) Zeftabrook
1135 B./F Alabama Express Conflate
1176 Ch. or Gr./F Tagaloa Faith’s Encore 1385 Ch./F Tagaloa So Far Away
wwwyulonginvestcomau
115 Grenada Rd, Mangalore VIC 3663 (03) 5796 2741
Sam Fairgray: 0418 427 568
samfairgray@yulonginvestcomau
Claudia McDougall: 0457 746 666 claudia@yulonginvestcomau
Harry King 0457 496 666 harry@yulonginvestcomau
Treasure the Moment
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