Brisbane
The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire 28 Nov 2020 – 26 April 2021
Mooloolaba Triathlon 12 – 14 March 2021
Blues
Broadbeach 20 – 23 May 2021
Australian Festival of Chamber Music 23 July – 1 August 2021
Brisbane
The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire 28 Nov 2020 – 26 April 2021
Mooloolaba Triathlon 12 – 14 March 2021
Blues
Broadbeach 20 – 23 May 2021
Australian Festival of Chamber Music 23 July – 1 August 2021
The fastest son of sire of sires SCAT DADDY. Brilliant Gr.1 winning sprinter at 2 & 3 years. And a Royal Ascot winner at both 2 & 3 years.
Watch out for their quality first yearlings selling soon!
The fastest son of sire of sires GALILEO. European champion & Royal Ascot winner at 2.
Impressive dual Guineaswinning miler at 3.
MM welcome Katie Page-Harvey, Gerry Harvey and Barry Bowditch welcome you to the Magic Millions Carnival, Sales and Raceday.
Government welcome Mayor, City of Gold Coast, Tom Tate.
accounts@bluebloods.com.au
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PUBLISHED BY BADRANAD PTY LTD - ABN 98 002 825 069 Printed by Pegasus Print, Blacktown, NSW. 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 . Fax: +61 (0) 7 5531 7082
• Email: info@magicmillions.com.au
• Website: www.magicmillions.com.au
COVER
16 I Am David David Chester is the International Sales Manager for Magic Millions. After 40 years with the company, he is seasoned, travelled, a little bit famous, and a little bit highmaintenance too.
28
Worthwhile, necessary & inconvenient
In the year of 2020, as the world we live and do business in was turned on its head beyond comprehension, the thoroughbred industry showed it can adapt.
30
A sale day in the life
Damon Gabbedy runs through a typical sale day at Magic Millions Gold Coast.
42
The secret lives of us, we take a look at the hidden passions of racing people. Just what do busy horse people do with their precious free time? Let ’s find out!
58
Good Will Hunting
For Will Johnson, four years tutelage from two of Europe’s leaders in their respective crafts in Roger Varian and Hubie de Burgh has set the platform for success.
70 Sunlight
She was only a few months old but already knew that she was special.
82
From day one the thoroughbred version of said Behemoth was somewhat of a stand-out.
84
out
Broadbeach has undoubtedly become the ‘it ’ destination to stay during the Magic Millions Carnival.
90
and Away
When Away Game belied her odds to post an emphatic score in the $2,000,000 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic last January, it mirrored the swift rise to prominence in the racing industry by one of her co-owners, Hannah Mathiesen.
94
By the numbers
Amazing numbers from an amazing Carnival.
100 Black Summer
The fires of late 2019-20 burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (186,000 square kilometres), destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and killed at least 34 people.
112
The Star of the Star
The Gold Coast’s most iconic rooftop restaurant, Nineteen at the Star, is starting conversations with the help of its international star, executive chef Uday Huja.
118
Tye Angland survived the unthinkable in 2018, but disability hasn’t overtaken him. Two years on from the race fall that changed his life, he talks racing and television, and his penchant for a fine patch of turf.
124
For the Love of the
Steve and Eliza Grant’s Silverdale Farm is looking forward to the 2021 Magic Millions January Yearling Sale with a heightened sense of excitement.
After a decade of unfulfilled promises, the Gold Coast Turf Club was finally given the green light by government in October for a $38million project that will allow the club to enact a vision to transform.
134
Given that speed is so essential a feature of the Australian racing and breeding landscape, Kia Ora’s future looks brighter than ever.
140
Australasian racing has some seriously high achieving women in its ranks, and, no doubt inspired by the trailblazers before them, there are some rising female stars making their presence felt.
The Gold Coast is a city where dreams come true and the impossible realised.
The passing of Subzero in August 2020 was an emotional occasion for Australian racing. Few racehorses before, or since, have touched the public as he did, reminding us of the important role certain thoroughbreds have played long after their racing lives are over.
With gratitude, we warmly welcome you to the 2021 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
The past year has yielded unimaginable economic and health challenges across business and the community. As a member of the thoroughbred breeding and racing family, we are honoured to be part of an industry that has continued to operate through adversity because of the dedication of each and every participant for the game we all love, and the thoroughbreds we all adore.
More than ever before, we are incredibly grateful and excited to have the opportunity to invite you to join us on the Gold Coast this January as we present the preeminent equine athletes in the sales ring and on the racetrack.
Join us from 6 January for the commencement of inspections for the 2021 edition of the Gold Coast Yearling Sale. With 1273 yearlings catalogued in Books 1 and 2, for the first time the sale will run across seven consecutive days.
The Gold Coast Yearling Sale is the auction source of the most precocious and prodigious racetrack performers.
From Golden Slipper winners (eleven of them), to classic winners, to global sprint stars, each edition of the Gold Coast Yearling Sale produces a life changing result and the next generation of commercial stallions. The 2021 catalogue delivers an unprecedented selection of outstanding Australian and New Zealand bred yearlings.
The $10.25m The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday 16 January will provide one of the feature days on the Australian racing calendar. With seven of nine races worth $1m or more in prizemoney highlighted by the $2m The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $2m Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, plus $750,000 in Racing Women’s Bonuses, getting involved is a dream that an owner at any level of investment can legitimately have.
The delivery of our incredible Carnival is supported by an exceptional naming rights partner in The Star Gold Coast and our long-term valued principal partner Racing Queensland. We also acknowledge the support of partners Pacific Fair, Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, Seven West Media and Sky Racing Active – and we welcome the newest member of our sponsor family, TAB as our official wagering partner.
On behalf of our strategic partner Tourism and Events Queensland, it’s with great pleasure and pride that we extend you an invitation to join us on the glorious Gold Coast this Summer.
Explore the breathtaking coastline, be entertained amidst the famous Gold Coast backdrop of sun, surf and a sparkling skyline, and most importantly experience equine excellence and excitement like no other destination but Queensland in January.
Who doesn’t need some excitement in their life to make the world seem a better and safer place? Well, once again, we are going to blow the blues away with the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Here’s your chance to strike it rich with a fabulous young horse that has the potential to land you in the Winner’s Circle. And you don’t have to do it all yourself: form a syndicate and get your mates involved. Share the luck, share the winnings!
There are many ways to get an adrenaline rush but horse racing is a stayer. It has been a thrilling form of popular entertainment for thousands of years and is still one of the most loved sports in the world today.
If you are looking for good form, the Magic Millions Yearling Sale has an outstanding pedigree with a host of new champions discovered every year.
Even if you want to social distance yourself, you can enjoy a fully immersive experience thanks to first-class digital infrastructure so you can capture every moment from the safety and comfort of wherever you want to be without missing a second of the excitement.
But for the real thrill, discover why the Gold Coast is Australia’s favourite holiday playground and come visit us. I’d love to see you here.
JANUARY
Wednesday 6th - Monday 18th
Gold Coast Yearling Sale Inspections
About: From Wednesday 6 January from 8am to 5pm daily, the Magic Millions Sales Complex is open for inspections of the catalogued lots in the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The public is more than welcome to come along to the Bundall complex to get a first-hand look into the world of Thoroughbred sales and racing.
Where: Magic Millions Sales Complex, 28 Ascot Court, Bundall, Gold Coast
Time: From 8am daily
Tickets: This is a free event, open to the public
Wednesday 6th
BMD Northcliffe SLSC Sportsman’s Luncheon
About: This fun and entertaining afternoon features a variety of special guests including rugby league legend Wally Lewis, plus a fresh seafood buffet and beverage package.
Where: BMD Northcliffe SLSC, Surfers Paradise
Time: From 11.30am
Tickets: $200 per person – email Lee Vrolyks at info@northcliffeesurfclub.com for enquiries and bookings
About: The Aquis $1.5 million Raceday on January 9 marks two big weekends of summer racing at Aquis Park. Into its second year in 2021, the day includes the $250,000 feature race for 3YO & 4YO The TAB Wave, the $125,000 Aquis Gold Nugget and the $125,000 Aquis Gold Pearl plus three exclusive Magic Millions races worth $750,000 in prizemoney. This day is followed by the 2021 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday, 16 January. Don’t miss these two big days of racing at Aquis Park Gold Coast!
Where: Aquis Park, Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall
Time: From 10am
Tickets: Early Bird: $10 | Online: $20 | Tickets at the Gate: $30 | Members Day Pass available Online Only: $50
*Raceday event falls under current Queensland Government directives. Please refer to the GCTC Refund Policy prior to booking.
About: Women In Racing Inc. Australia’s annual event is being held once again at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.
The 2021 Luncheon includes a three-course luncheon and beverage package, VIP guest speakers, raffles and an international music duo.
Where: Mirage Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Main Beach
Time: From 12 noon
Tickets: Members Tickets: $150 | Non-Members $160 –phone Baslyn Beel 0411 698 484 or Jennifer Bartels 0438 741 242
Carbine Club Luncheon
About: The Carbine Club was first formed in Melbourne in 1961 and takes its name from the great Australian race horse Carbine, winner of the 1890 Melbourne Cup. Since the Club’s foundation in Victoria, sister clubs have been established under the same name in every Australian state and territory, in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vanuatu and London. The objectives of the Carbine Club are to promote and foster the development of junior sport in Queensland by providing awards and grants to promising and worthy sporting individuals in Queensland in varied sporting endeavours.
Carbine Club of Queensland will again host Queensland’s biggest Racing Lunch celebrating the 2021 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
Time: From 12 noon
Tickets: $200 includes a three-course lunch and beverage package –email carbineclubqld@gmail.com
*Numbers may be limited due to Covid requirements at venue
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw
About: The sun will rise over the 2021 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival on Tuesday, 12 January when The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw takes centre stage on the Surfers Paradise Foreshore from 6am. From approximately 8am, all eyes will turn towards the ocean for the spectacle of thoroughbreds - with champion jockeys on board - as they gallop down the pristine sands of Queensland’s most iconic beach, Surfers Paradise. The connections of every runner in the 2021 $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic field will arrive in style before randomly choosing the barrier from which their horse will start on Raceday, Saturday, 16 January. The barrier draw for the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas will be drawn shortly afterwards at approximately 8:45am.
Where: Surfers Paradise Foreshore, opposite Trickett Street
Time: From 6am
Tickets: This is a free event, open to the public
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. With more than 5,000 wins by our sale graduates around the globe each year, we are proud to be Australia’s most innovative sales company.
Where: Magic Millions Sales Complex, 28 Ascot Court, Bundall, Gold Coast
Time: Tuesday 12th from 12pm
Wednesday 13th from 10am
Thursday 14th from 10am
Friday 15th from 10am
Saturday 16th from 6pm
Sunday 17th from 2pm
Monday 18th from 10am
Tickets: This is a free event, open to the public.
Thursday 14th
About: Join racing enthusiasts for a fun and relaxed night with dinner and drinks. Racing identities will provide insight into the prestigious The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic, then the hot Calcutta action begins. A sell-out event not to be missed.
Where: Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall
Time: From 6pm
Tickets: Tables of 10: Members $1,360, Non-Members
$1,600 | Individual Tickets Members $136, Non-Members
$160 - Please visit www.gctc.com.au for tickets
JANUARY
Saturday 16th
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions
$10.25 Million Raceday
About: The 2021 $10.25 million Magic Millions Raceday features the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas exclusively for Magic Millions graduates. With nine fast-paced 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 10am
Tickets: Various options available – Please visit www.gctc.com.au for details
Tuesday 19th
Magic Millions Widden Stud Golf Day
About: One of the racing industry’s favourite pastimes is a relaxing game of golf and what better way to relax after a busy week of fast-paced auctions and racing. The Widden Stud Golf Day provides Magic Millions vendors and buyers, trainers, jockeys and industry associates the perfect opportunity to unwind for a day at the RACV Royal Pines Golf Course before heading their separate ways. 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: 11am-6pm
Tickets: 4 ball Ambrose $150 per person – includes green fees, electric cart, drink vouchers and a BBQ luncheon – phone Taylor on 02 6549 9999
David Chester is the International Sales Manager for Magic Millions. After 40 years with the company, he is seasoned, travelled, a little bit famous, and a little bit high-maintenance too.
JESSICA OWERS
David Chester, at 74 years old, is over the hill and picking up speed. He drives an MG with the top down, hits the gym every day, and is all about clean cars and shiny shoes. His Speedos are scattered around hotels in Asia, and he’s been to just one Melbourne Cup in a lifetime of racing. Gerry Harvey called him the worst Managing Director in Magic Millions history, and Chester can’t argue with that.
“I wanted to do everything myself,” he says. “I wasn’t a delegator. I wanted to be involved in everything... everything but collecting the debts. Gerry said I was one of his worst Managing Directors but, as a salesman, he said I was one of the best.”
Chester is as seasoned a salesman as ever peered down the gunsight of a sale ring. He has been with Magic Millions since day dot, 40 years of trading and auctioning, wheeling and dealing for the same masthead. He has been Magic Millions General Manager, then Managing Director from 2002 to 2010. He is now International Sales Director, and all from the same sun-flooded ground-floor office at the company’s Gold Coast complex.
“I’ve had the same office for close to 30 years,” Chester says. “During sales, my Asian clients and older Australian breeders that I’ve known for years will come in through the sliding doors, skipping reception, and they’ll sit down and have a cup of tea and a bit of a yarn. There are times when there can be 15 or 20 people in there, and I like that. I think this business, our industry, is a people’s business, and friendships mean a lot.”
Chester is sincere. He has many awards to his name, but there’s not much ego. If there’s pride, it’s because he works hard for vendors, in particular those that are battling. He doesn’t keep a record of the good horses he has sold, and is baffled that anyone would. Such horses include Subzero, Werther (privately), Tagaloa and Mystic Journey, but Chester wouldn’t know. He’s more interested in the other end of town. “I’m a funny sort of auctioneer,” he says. “I like the lower end of the market, selling for the battler that has almost run out of money getting his horse to the sale.” In the last decade, Chester has pioneered a Magic Millions presence in places like Penang, Busan and Manila. He has been in Libya, Iran and Kazakhstan, and is an unflappable local in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. But he’s a terrible tourist. “I don’t do sightseeing,” he admits. “I did it once, on my first trip somewhere, and that was enough.”
Chester is Australia’s longest-serving bloodstock agent and auctioneer. He was the first registered auctioneer in Singapore when Magic Millions hosted that nation’s first ever sale of racehorses, and he auctioneered at the very last Hong Kong International Sale in 2003 before it moved from the Convention Centre to Sha Tin. Chester has a scrapbook of such occasions, stuffed full of portraits with governors, candid gavel shots and export awards, and the man’s passport is full and tired. “Singo once told me I had the best job in the world,” he says. “Talking bullshit about horses.”
In hindsight, it wasn’t a career that Chester fell into intentionally. The schoolboy captain of Toowoomba Grammar was the son of a veterinarian and a deft cricket player, but Chester says he lacked the brains to ply his father’s trade. After picking up work at Australian Estates, his first job was canvassing horses and dairy cattle. He was a shy type, however, something he shook off fairly quickly in life when, in Nerang in the mid 1960s, he called his first auction – a clearing sale selling hammers, nails, shovels and pitchforks.
Chester remembers selling horses in pre-decimal guineas. He recalls his first thoroughbred sale, selling bloodstock at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground when horses were fewer and cheaper. He says they aren’t much different today, although they are presented for sale very differently, and his formula for a good horse remains simple, something along the lines of love at first sight. Across 40 years he has sold thoroughbreds in every state and territory of Australia, and has met the likes of Colonel Gaddafi in places very far from home. Chester is committed and driven, evidenced by the startling fact of his last holiday being 34 years ago.
“It was on a houseboat,” says Patricia Chester, his wife of 46 years. “Eventually I gave up trying to get him to take time off, and so we just followed him around the world on work trips. We spent Christmas one year in a Chinese restaurant in Penang.”
TRISH IS A DAZZLING WOMAN. A FORMER NURSE, SHE IS QUEENSLAND BRED AND BORN LIKE HER HUSBAND, AND ACCEPTED LONG AGO CHESTER’S WORK ETHIC AND BLANKET LOYALTY TO MAGIC MILLIONS.
In the early days, raising three young children, she took little interest in horse racing and bloodstock. But these days she is tuned in, and plays a critical role in hosting both husband and his clients.
“David is so committed to Magic Millions,” Trish says. “It’s his whole life, and it’s been like that since I can remember. Loyalty is really important to him. He is strictly loyal, and genuinely admires Gerry and Katie (Harvey). In turn, Gerry has stuck by David. They have this little health competition between them. They are genuine friends.”
Trish is in awe of her husband. Chester has been a firstclass provider, and she says they have had an amazing life thanks to him, but he is also frustratingly quirky and impatient. He gets up at the same time every morning, hits the gym and the surf, star jumps, planks, and then heads to work. During sales, he will run into clients in the early morning on the Broadbeach sands, clad in bright and splendid Speedos. On the weekend he will clean the MG, because he hates a dirty car, and he is a hurried traveller.
“I’m reluctant to travel with him anymore,” Trish says.
“David is the first person to stand up when the plane lands, and he’s one of those people that will look for the shortest line at the airport. He’ll send me to one line, and he’ll go in the other, and he’ll move into whichever one is moving faster.”
Despite his decades old work-life imbalance, Chester is not materialistic. Trish says he spends nothing on himself. The MG, which caused any amount of giggles at Magic Millions, came about after 60 years of waiting. “When I first started to work in Brisbane,” Chester recalls, “my old boss used to head into the hotel next door after work, and he’d call me up after a few drinks and tell me to pick up his car. So I used to walk up to the carpark and I’d pass this MG shop, and they had this beautiful MG for sale, and I used to dream about this little car and think how good it would be to have one. It took a long time!”
The very important, very buffed racing-green MG is parked every working day at the Magic Millions complex, often in the sale-ring auditorium and out of the Queensland sun. It’s a privilege befitting of a man with a barn named in his honour. Barry Bowditch, Magic Millions Managing Director, says Chester has been critical in the company’s history. “The international market for the Australian horse is a much better place for David’s efforts,” he says, “and I’m tipping that if you opened him up, David would bleed Magic Millions.” He adds that while Chester is the oldest member of the crew, he’s likely the fittest. “I won’t be taking him on in a beach sprint any time soon.”
In the corporate world, it’s a rare thing for a former boss to stay on under a new one, but Chester has done that under his successors Vin Cox and later Bowditch. “He doesn’t interfere,” Trish says of her husband, “and I really do think it’s reassuring for them that’s he still there. David is like an old father figure. He’s got all that experience.”
COVID19 changed Chester’s working life dramatically. Travel was suddenly off and, for a man that had spent the last decade charging through Asia, it was a big adjustment. Chester is fond of Asian culture and speaks highly of its people. “I feel very comfortable with them,” he says. “The Asians show a lot of respect when you’re getting older, and I’m 74 now. I find Westerners tend to dismiss you a bit as you get older, but in Asia, people that are older are respected. They like to listen to you and learn from you.”
For close to four years now, Chester has had a veritable sidekick in Nicky Wong, the young, deftly dressed Asia Client Advisor for Magic Millions. They are a curious but flawless partnership, a cocktail of age and youth that has worked strongly for the Magic Millions product. “Nicky is the hardest worker I’ve ever been with,” Chester says. “He is nearly like a son to me now.” Admitting that Wong is a likely successor, Chester adds that the younger man’s only flaw is his trousers. “Nicky does everything right, except that he wears these pants up to his ankles.”
In Australia, where the average job tenure is under four years, Chester’s run with Magic Millions is exceptional. The company has grown from its modest Gold Coast roots to owning half the bloodstock market and, while Chester claims no credit, he knows it is due. “Gerry said once at a staff party that Magic Millions was mine,” he says. “He probably doesn’t remember saying it, but he did.”
The milestones roll on. In 2019, he celebrated 50 years of selling yearlings, and soon enough it will be a half-century of marriage.
BUT, DESPITE HIS AGE, THERE ISN’T MUCH OLD MAN IN DAVID CHESTER. IF HE WANTS TO SLOW DOWN, IT’S NOT OBVIOUS.
If he talks about retirement, it’s because someone has asked him. “I think he wants to die at his desk,” Trish says, “and he would love that, carried out of Magic Millions and everyone crying over him.”
In the year of 2020, as the world we live and do business in was turned on its head beyond comprehension, the thoroughbred industry showed it can adapt.
FOR BLOODSTOCK AGENTS, ATTENDING SALES THROUGHOUT A PRE COVID-19 WORLD WAS AS REGULAR AS GETTING YOUR DAILY MORNING CAFFEINE FIX. POST COVID, ATTENDING SALES PRESENTS A FAR MORE COMPLEX, ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT AND WAIT FIVE MINUTES, EVER EVOLVING LANDSCAPE.
Leading Victorian based Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) member Sheamus Mills had to exhibit a resolute level of adaptation to attend this year’s Magic Millions National Sale.
An auction which has grown to be the largest breeding stock sale in this part of the world, the National Sale is traditionally held in the late May/early June timeslot. However it soon became apparent that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government imposed travel and gathering restrictions, would prevent the conduct of this sale as planned.
In April the company announced the National Sale would be rescheduled to July to provide every opportunity to hold the sale in the live auction format. The Magic Millions team set about creating processes to facilitate the inspection of mares on farm, for mares on early covers to be sold in absentia and the development of a COVID Safe event plan for Queensland Health including the implementation of a contact tracing app for use by all on the complex.
Viewed by the broader industry as an essential sale for the trading and sourcing of stock ahead of the breeding season, bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills was one of a number of FBAA members who were determined the auction could not be missed.
In the final weeks leading up to the rescheduled sale, COVID-19 infection rates in Victoria increased and the Queensland state border was closed to those who had been in Victoria for the prior 14 days.
Mills, who represented significant clients selling broodmares as well as purchasing weanlings and yearlings, was required to spend two weeks in NSW in order to be permitted entry to Queensland.
“Worthwhile, necessary and inconvenient,” Mills described the 1,715 kilometre road trip from Melbourne to the Gold Coast that he undertook with his assistant Rochelle Adams and good friend Dean Harvey, proprietor of Baystone Farm.
At times the breeding and racing industry is competitive as it gets but there’s also a unique comradery and respect amongst participants. The journey for Mills and co to make it to the National Sale was made easier due to the hospitality of Darley, who housed the trio at their Kelvinside property.
“We got lucky. Darley was unbelievable, above and beyond what you could hope,” Mills enthused.
As the group travelled closer to the Queensland border armed with their border passes and statutory declarations, another new hurdle appeared with the Queensland Government declaring a COVID-19 hotpot in the City of Liverpool in NSW where numerous vendors and buyers had been in the week prior.
Magic Millions was forced to reschedule the sale for a second occasion, this time a further delay of one week.
By this time Mills and his co-pilots were safely on the Gold Coast but away from family and friends for over three weeks before the sale had even begun.
For Mills, the investment in time to attend the National Sale evidenced his belief that nothing can replace the live auction environment. He sees online sales as an important backstop to trading but not a replacement for the atmosphere a live auction creates.
“Being there is so important, you’ve got to see the horse. Your client doesn’t fall in love with a horse in the middle of the day in an office or at home. If he/she is there and sees the horse with you and hears your opinion, it creates that atmosphere to bid,” Mills tells.
The emotive game, as Mills describes it, has done a remarkable job to survive amidst the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. The morale of racing continuing in Australia has filtered into the business of bloodstock.
Despite COVID, with the prospect of good buying Mills will be approaching the 2021 yearling sales season with a strong belief of being active.
As Mills plans his hopefully less eventful journey back to a sale that he purchased this Spring’s Group One Thousand Guineas winner Odeum, he reflects on why it’s imperative for him to be on the Gold Coast in January.
“IT’S NOT THE MONEY, IT’S THE PASSION. PEOPLE INVEST MORE THAN MONEY, THEY INVEST HEART AND PASSION. THAT’S WHY PEOPLE COME BACK.”
A sale day in the life…
Ahh, the Gold Coast…
I have been coming to the Magic Millions for over 2025 years and I have a confession to make, I used to hate the Gold Coast and everything about it. As a selfproclaimed Melbourne snob dressed in my Melbourne black, I couldn’t see past the glitz, flesh and sparkle of the meter maids, you couldn’t find a decent coffee and let’s not get me started on the restaurants. In the early days at a rather swanky restaurant, the special of the day was apricot chicken – a dreadful dish that my mother used to serve me in the late 70s, early 80s. It nearly put me off coming to the Gold Coast altogether.
But, talk about a complete turnaround! On my recent visit to the National Broodmare sale held this Covid year in July, I found myself speaking to my long suffering companion who was in freezing, very wet and dreary lock up in Melbourne; whilst I was walking down the beach in magnificent 25 degree warmth, suggesting that we should look to moving up here permanently, or at least buying a holiday pad on the Gold Coast.
As the French say “Quelle Horrore” – Who am I now?!
To me, that is a great example of how the Gold Coast has matured into a serious city. There are numerous, seriously good restaurants that would stand up and be counted in Melbourne and Sydney, the coffee and coffee shops are edgy and fantastic, the weather is unbelievable and don’t get me started on Pacific Fair! Since it has been refurbished, it could be one of THE best shopping centres I’ve been to anywhere in the world. I always try to leave some free time to give the credit card a serious workout while I’m on the Gold Coast.
I feel myself waffling and digress from the main point of this article. The lovely Val from Magic Millions asked me to pen a day in the life of a formerly young bloodstock agent on the Gold Coast.
As the sun seems to rise early and for some strange reason, the older you get the earlier you wake up, the best way to start the day is with a walk along the gorgeous and seemingly endless beach, but I must warn you to be prepared for some very confronting sights. Many an industry figure is starting the day the same way and let’s just say budgie smugglers are a definite no no and some should keep their shirts on – even while swimming! (No I didn’t mention Harry Mitchell).
I’m not much of a breakfast person so I usually skip that and head out to the sales for a nice early start. As the catalogue is getting bigger and bigger it pays to be organised and arrive to the sales complex early. As it’s what I call our first run back from a spell, in hot and humid conditions you really have to allow yourself plenty of time to inspect yearlings. As an agent, I like to look at every lot on offer and that at times can be a daunting task… especially with so many distractions! We haven’t seen our friends and colleagues for a while so all the hellos, how was your Christmas/New Year’s chats can take a while and slow you down.
On a very good day and being extremely efficient, you can get through around 120/140 yearlings per day. It’s so important though to be alert when looking at yearlings, if the phone rings you get distracted, if someone walks past you get caught up in the chitter chatter. You have to be extremely respectful to vendors that this is the grand final for breeders, and it is years of planning that has gone into the yearling being paraded in front of you. I often note in my catalogue if I’m hot, distracted or tired and that I should reinspect a yearling or a draft. It’s difficult at times to juggle the phone and clients, so I try to leave enough time at the end of the day to get through these.
During a full-on day, you need a few pit stops to keep you hydrated and fresh, so I find myself cruising by Newgate mid-morning for some of Shane Keating’s delicious chicken sandwiches or timing a lunch inspection at Arrowfield where they always provide a scrumptious lunch. Bo at Kitchwin Hills is also another I’d highly recommend for a smile, a drink and a seat to recharge the batteries. A mid-afternoon drive by via Widden to pick up a Golden Gaytime also helps!
After one of these pit stops it’s back to the grind and getting through as many yearlings as possible. The horses (and agent!) start getting tired and staff begin packing up around 4pm. One of the most enjoyable parts of the day is having a drink at the bar around this time. It’s an ideal opportunity to catch up with vendors, staff, friends and enemies and chew the fat.
Common questions you hear around the bar at this time include; Have you seen many you like? How are you getting on with x-rays? What do you think of the first season sires, who’s your favourite? Got any orders or buyers? After a few cleansing ales, this can lead to questions like do you think so and so had a bit too much turkey over Christmas? X has aged and Y is looking amazing! And what are they wearing?!
After I’ve found all the gossip and tried to squeeze some inside information out of the vendors it’s time to head back to Broadbeach. If time permits and I didn’t have too many vodka cocktails, another beach walk is ideal, but it’s usually where I do some work on shortening the list down for second and third inspections. I also spend some time researching the yearlings I love in more depth, like what the other siblings have sold for, check the race performance of the mare and look into the nicks and crosses of the sire and broodmare sire. Double busy!
Then it’s a juggle of dinner invitations (in my dreams!) and a not so quick costume change in my case and out to one of the many restaurants. Mamasan, Social and Etsu are all a must do! The social life is full on and great fun at this sale, everyone is happy, fresh and in good form. There are dinner invitations aplenty and I can’t remember ever having a night in my room during this time – and why would you want to?!
While the sale specialises in selling early running, fast two-year-olds, this sale is a real test of stamina for the participants, especially for someone like me who can resist everything but the temptation of a night out. But don’t feel sorry for me as busy and stressed as I sound;
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT I DO AND WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING. IF YOU’RE IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY, THE GOLD COAST IS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE IN JANUARY.
HAWKES RACING BOUGHT 17 AVERAGE: $439,118 GROSS: $7,465,000
SADLER RACING BOUGHT: 10 AVERAGE: $391,500 GROSS: $3,915,000
CIARON MAHER RACING BOUGHT: 15 AVERAGE: $248,000 GROSS: $3,720,000
AUSTRALIA BOUGHT: 6 AVERAGE: $457,500 GROSS: $3,660,000
Look for the SUPER VOBIS logo and share in the rewards
Nominated horses can race for over $13 million worth of Super VOBIS bonuses in over 840 races each season across Victoria. In addition to this, Super VOBIS nominated horses are eligible to be nominated for VOBIS Gold and race in the exclusive VOBIS Gold Premier Race Series worth $4.7 million.
The secret lives of us, we take a look at the hidden passions of racing people. Just what do busy horse people do with their precious free time? Let’s find ot!
As he approaches 300km on the world class Phillip Island circuit, aboard the “absolute weapon” that is a 1000cc motorcycle, Mick Price is not, he laughs “thinking about horses!”
Whilst working long hours overseeing a Caulfield stable of 75 horses (and 40 staff) with another 25 at Warrnambool and others out spelling, Mick is adamant that he never wants to be the sort of “24/7 obsessed trainer” who eventually burns out.
“You have to get to the stables fresh every morning,” he said, “and be aware of the fatigue and repetition.” If such things get on top of you, he added “you just end up not doing a good job.”
An outlet is required, and Mick’s is a different sort of velocity to thoroughbred speed... the bike, whether it be one of the five motorcycles he has owned or the pushbike aboard which he hits town on three times a week.
His interest sparked by following the career of Valentino Rossi, Mick has on many occasions made the most of the Phillip Island Ride Days, along with fellow trainers Ciaron Maher and Nathan Dunn - plus a couple of retired jumps jockeys - hitting the circuit at speed, enjoying the adrenaline rush.
He has also been happy on a trail around Belgrave’s hills, something he says “has not been good for the licence points.”
Covid has of course slowed things down, as has Mick’s own caution.
“I am not afraid of injury but I just don’t have the time to be sidelined,” he said, to date lucky to have walked soundly away from a few tumbles. But he still has his bike and three times a week can be seen on his other less powered cycle riding from Docklands to the Chandler Highway.
Sometimes it is a social thing, owner Rupert Legh or jockey Hugh Bowman amongst those joining him, but what he enjoys most is the fast solo rides. Apart from the exercise - “it is great cardio without concussion”it is “that small opportunity to have a couple of hours by myself.”
“In racing you are always surrounded by people,” he said. He loves it of course, but he loves the time-out as well.
And a thrilling time-out it is too, Mick keen on keeping healthy and fit whilst having “a good life balance.”
He still finds the everyday demands of being a racehorse trainer exciting; “you spend your life being challenged,” he said, “it is a constant puzzle.” And he enjoys it all the more for having other things to focus on; his bikes, a dabble into real estate and sponsorship of Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell.
A much valued member of the Magic Millions team for coming up to 13 years, the Irish born Kylie Adair loves her role as Bloodstock Consultant, keeping busy throughout the year with yearling selection and catalogue production and on sales day the work associated with veterinary procedures; scoping, x-rays, etc.
She arrives at work each morning full of energy and ready to go, despite the fact - or because of it, she says - that she has been up for hours longer than most others kicking off their 9am work day.
For several years it was track work riding, the reason she came to Australia in the first place. Having undertaken equine studies at university, she has “always ridden and worked in racing stables.”
Also interested in health and well-being, Kylie nine years ago decided she would make a concerted effort to get fit, at first doing a bit of running with the aim of competing in triathlons. But she soon realised that she “really liked the cycling part of it the most.”
Cycling between 400 and 500km a week, Kylie has probably seen more of the Gold Coast than most born there. She loves the beaches and the hinterland, getting up into the mountains at least once or twice a week.
She has also travelled with her bike (actually make that bikes - “I have a large collection!”), her passion taking her on cycling tours through Italy and France, the best way to travel she says - “you see the best of everything from a bike.”
She has raced locally and overseas including a visit to the spectacular Mariana Islands. Last year she made the most of what is usually Magic Millions’ quietest month (July) with a trip to the Tour de France, riding part of the course before joining 1000s of others as a spectator.
“It was amazing, such a great atmosphere - people singing and dancing, I am so glad I took the opportunity to go.”
So what is it about cycling that gives Kylie so much pleasure? Well it is similar to track work riding, the invigoration that comes with morning exercise and the speed.
“It brings out the inner child in me,” she laughed, “we are all just big kids going out on bikes with our friends seeing who can go the fastest!”
It was not far shy of his 16th birthday, as an apprentice jockey, that Chris Symons first sat on a horse. Up until then he’d had little exposure - beyond an occasional family trip to the racesto horses. But his dad (proprietor of a Baker’s Delight) and his uncles enjoyed the sport and upon noticing his love of animals started to say “hey, perhaps you could be a jockey.”
“And when I learned that being an apprentice meant that I could leave school early I was all for it!” he joked. Admitting that he was by no means a natural, Chris worked hard at his new trade. “It did not come easily to me, I was not one of those ‘born to ride’ types.”
But that hard work paid off and over 1000 winners later, Chris has earned the respect of trainers and owners not just for his skills but for his work ethic; also working hard as consultant on the “Ride Like A Girl” movie and as a racing commentator for Channel 7.
As if all that doesn’t take up plenty of time Chris, along with his wife Sam, have built up from scratch a property on the Mornington Peninsula, first building a barn and then eventually a home with the view of keeping a few pets, a few horses.
Always taking a special interest in working with special needs kids and adults, Chris and Sam quickly noted how well people responded to their animals. And so were sown the seeds of the idea that led to Funky Farm.
Now home to between 100 and 150 animals of various breeds including Hamish the retired Carlton Draught Clydesdale to Crikey the crocodile (who early last year saw Chris out of the saddle for a time as he recovered from a bite to the arm) as well as a Scottish Highland cow, dingos, parrots, amphibians, deer and more, Funky Farm welcomes visitors from across the state and beyond.
Those with special needs are the priority but the general public are also more than welcomed and Chris gains great pleasure from noting that lovely interaction between human and animal. Whilst bigger zoos and animal themed parks offer deals for a oneon-one experience with a particular animal, every moment at Funky Farm is just that... “our visitors can spend quality time with a wombat, hold a snake, give an emu scratch, cuddle a kangaroo!”
The wellbeing of each animal is paramount but they have all been raised to enjoy human interaction and if they need a day off, they get it. Chris spends all of his days away from the track with his menagerie whilst Sam is fully hands-on, their daughter Ziva also relishing her animal relationships.
With his father Michael a Manilla (a small town 45km northwest of Tamworth) born jockey who spent the rest of his working life breaking in youngsters and preparing yearlings, Adam Michael Rumsby was born to love horses and was always bound to end up working with them. A familiar face around stud farms and yearling sales, Adam “other than a shortly lived career in the men’s section at the Scone Target” has been working with racehorses since he was 20.
Currently kept busy at the Newcastle stables of Mark Minervini, Adam has spent time with Rodney Northam, Robert Smerdon, Chris Waller and Gerald Ryan whilst also working major yearling sales for Arrowfield, Patinack, Bhima and Fernrigg; his highlights including leading the Hong Kong DerbyHKGr.1, 2000m winner Luger through the ring, also working closely with the Group Three winning Magic Millions graduates Shaquero and Prague... “such nice horses to have prepped,” he said.
For as long as he can remember - “from as soon as I could pick up a pencil” - Adam has enjoyed committing horses to paper. And this is how he combines his two passions, thoroughbreds and art.
Prince Of Penzance, Starcraft, All Too Hard, Winx, Fiorente, Zoustar, Juggler and Mentality are just some of the horses he has drawn, citing the inclusion of his portrait of the former in “Prince Of Penzance: The Extraordinary 2015 Melbourne Cup” as one his biggest achievements.
Working firstly with graphite and then colour pencils, Adam had no formal training - the talent was just always there and he remembers that “Dad was good with a pencil as well.”
“Drawing has always been something I’ve been good at. It didn’t matter if I wasn’t good at sport or at school, drawing was something that nobody could take away from me. I have always found it very therapeutic, I listen to music and drown in my art instead of in negative thoughts.”
“I get sentimental and feel very honoured when asked to draw animals who have passed on, that someone asks me to capture their animal’s spirit on paper - that’s a pretty good feeling.”
A Senior Producer at Racing. com, Nick Lovett has been a passionate supporter of all things racing ever since his thoroughbred namesake Nicholas John caught his eye in the mid 1980s. “I saw that he was running in the Sandown Cup and gave a school mate, who I knew was into racing, a ring for an assessment. He said he was a chance but that Toujours Mio would probably beat him home. They ran first and second and I thought that this must be very easy!”
Working in various media positions including 16 years in graphics and production at Channel 10, two years at the Melbourne Polytechnic running the television course and another two years at McGuire Media, Nick has been at Racing.Com for five years - able to combine his work and his hobby.
Whilst first becoming interested in racing, Nick also took up another pastime which brings us to yet another person in our sport who is also blessed with artistic flair. Dabbling in painting from the
Fast forward 35 years and Nick, along with that school friend Justin Kaufman, were in the Group One winner’s circle together, cheering on star Magic Millions graduate Viddora to success in the Moir Stakes-Gr.1, 1000m and the Winterbottom Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m as well as the Magic Millions Sprint.
age of 13, mainly in watercolours before moving onto oils, Nick has honed his skills over the years and once sold 40 of 50 paintings featured in an exhibition.
Landscapes have been his main focus though he is also enjoying working on the subject matter thrown up by drone footage“something that is completely new.” He is having a bit of a go at horses but jokingly admits that “I am struggling with it!”
Nick’s grandfather’s aunt Mildred Lovett features in the Australian Dictionary Of Biography, her entry noting her important contribution to the world of art. Aren’t genetics interesting?!
And now to the culinary arts!
Starting her racing life in 1987 as a strapper for Yarra Glen trainer Ron Wood, Angela Fleay is one of racing’s all-rounders. She has ridden trackwork, broken in horses and has had a trainers licence. She has raced a city winnerComaida Girl, who she also rode and strapped, and then reared and bred a winner (Nartarlee) out of her. And once she took a three week “holiday” from racing to ride her horse from Healesville to Canberra... and the very next morning she was back at track work!
For years Angela has worked hard, during one part of her training career (two years) leaving home at midnight to get her horses ready for 4am work across town whilst her local track was closed down after the bush fires that tore through the Yarra Valley.
It seems that racing people are an artistic lot and another blessed with considerable natural talent is the New South Wales based jockey Deanne Panya.
Not born into a racing family, she nevertheless always had a passion for horses and it was her “childhood dream” to be a jockey... one that stemmed from an early thrill (she was around five years of age) of “sitting on a pony at a fair.”
The challenge being that she didn’t know anyone in the racing world and had no idea how to even start!
“After completing year 12 I thought it would be a good idea to have a gap year, to not get into anything too serious straight away. But I found a TAFE course for track riding and my twin sister Beany and I signed up. We got placed into work experience and the rest is history.”
From early days channelling her equine fascination into drawing, Deanne recalls that she “I became obsessed with them and I just kept drawing them, every day. I really think that this love of horses really helped me out in my artistic career.”
“I think it was mostly the bond and connection you can have with such a beautiful creature that fascinated me,” she said. “I wanted to know more about them, to learn about how they communicate with us and interpret us.”
Fast forward eight years into a successful racing career, Deanne - who considers a career highlight to be her win aboard Testashadow in the 2017 Magic Millions Cup - is combining her two great loves, riding and painting.
Redzel, Winx, Referral, Samadoubt, Single Gaze, Howmuchdoyouloveme, Rain Affair and Shovhog have all been subjects and she is currently enjoying working on a Lonhro portrait for Vin Cox.
As with Adam, Deanne finds art a great release. “It puts me in an optimistic mood, it makes me feel good and relieves stress most of the time.”
“Sometimes it does make me feel a little more stressed when it becomes challenging, but once I have worked out how to approach the painting, I get a lot satisfaction out of it. Especially when I am in the zone and it is completed.”
With her trainers licence on hold, Angela is now a driver for Alternative Horse Transport, driving some very nice horses around the state; the likes of Lankan Rupee, Happy Trails, Samaready and Extreme Choice all her passengers.
“I love the job although at times it can be challenging,” she said. “But I enjoy the process of transporting horses through the whole process of their racing lives, from being foals to going to the breakers and then to the races. I love getting to know them and I also get to meet lots of lovely people.”
So how does Angela fit in another passion? Well its a complementary one because racing people appreciate a good meal - and Angela is a talented cook.
“I always have baked goodies and dog treats and have in my truck to share with everyone,” she said.
A Royal Melbourne show cook who has won blue ribbons every year from when she was four up to 45 years later when she retired from competitive baking, Angela now teaches and mentors up-and-coming show cooks.
A semi-finalist in the 2015 Foxtel show Great Australian Bakeoff, she also bakes for charities including the Royal Children’s Hospital and local organisation The Able Bakehouse. And if racing and baking are not enough, Angela is also a CFA volunteer... “I am proud to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents as a third generation firefighter,” she said.
Yet another talented artist amongst us is the up-andcoming South Australian trainer Travis Doudle whose art actually led him into racing.
Not raised in a racing family, though his brother is a farrier whilst his grandfather mustered brumbies, Travis was keen from a young age on photography and when a school assignment saw him attend a trackwork session at Port Lincoln, he was immediately hooked.
“I got chatting to a trainer and he offered me a job.”
And so he set upon the racing path though a career in the arts was still a possibility, so much so that after a successful exhibition in Melbourne he was able to fund a trip to the painting mecca - Paris.
“I enjoyed my time there but in the end it wasn’t for me, the horses were calling.”
Skilled at drawing, painting and sculpture (several of his pieces purchased by the Port Lincoln council), Travis does a fair bit of racing industry work, often asked by owners, trainers and jockeys to immortalize their favourites. In recent times with his training business growing he has not had the time do work on as much art as he would like but he has “got easel set up in the spare room ready to go!”
Also struck by the writing bug is Stephen Irwin whose self-published debut novel Contention has proven a popular read amongst his fellow horse enthusiasts in the Hunter Valley and beyond.
Based on a rivalry between two local trainers with their sights on Royal Ascot, Contention has since been followed up by two books focusing on the same characters, Stephen growing attached to creations along the way.
What makes Stephen’s writing accomplishments all the more amazing is that at, aged 42, he amazed specialists by developing late onset dyslexia. “They said they’d never seen it before.”
Growing up at Narrung Stud, the South Australian property (home to Adraan who made such an impact during such a short time) and then Blandford Park, both managed by his father, Stephen followed in Les’ footsteps working at various farms including Lindsay Park, Widden, Arrowfield and Yarraman.
He has operated his own Riverslea Farm and has enjoyed good success pin-hooking whilst also establishing a building business specializing in equine products, working on such projects as yearling complexes at Arrowfield Stud and Magic Millions (Perth).
It was his wife Shannon who suggested that Stephen should have a go at writing - “she said I should have a try as my mind never stops! So on the night I proposed to her I woke up early and started writing Contention. I never even knew that I could write, I left school at 14 to work with horses and then the dyslexia came along. It makes for some pretty wild writing and grammar at times!”
Stephen is also a sculptor, another talent he did not know he possessed. “I went to buy a sculpture I liked but it wasn’t for sale so I went back home and built it. I found that I really enjoyed the process and starting selling them for quite good money.”
Entering a prestigious Mudgee sculpture show, Stephen won the two major awards with both entries now displayed in the town’s “Sculptures In The Garden.” One of those, “Taking the Plunge” graces the cover of Contention and he made a smaller version of it as a Valentine’s gift for Shannon, using the proceeds of his prize to buy her an engagement ring.
Sculpting and writing have both proven to be releases for Stephen... “I write every night without fail, or at least send out submissions. When I finish a book it is like when I finish a sculpture, I am on a high for a few hours and then I come down.”
And so he will just keep writing!
“I was just a kid in a small New Zealand town who borrowed horses,” laughed Renee Geelen, a dyed-in-the-wool racing fan who pursued her passion despite having no family members sharing her interest.
“My mother blames our neighbour who owned Braless (winner of the 1977 NZ 1000 Guineas) whilst my father has a silly theory regarding a relative who owned the pony express in Russia prerevolution!”
Whatever it was, Renee got her own horse as soon as she could, in her final year of high school leasing the retired racehorse Land Of Oz. Looking up his racing record set up a spark - she realised she could combine this love of horses with an interest in statistics.
“I saw that there was a whole world out there with data and numbers and horses together.”
Whilst studying physics and maths at the University Of Waikato, Renee worked with horses in the morning, firstly with small Te Rapa trainer and then with Graeme Rogerson. Kicking off her post study life with data analysis jobs, she purchased a broodmare and foal - cheering home her first winner.
Whilst starting a family, Renee began consultancy work, firstly for New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing and then, upon a move to Australia, for various racing organisations including Bluebloods, Aushorse and the stud book, combining writing and data analysis. When some of that work dropped off she thought she would challenge herself and start work on a novel.
And so we come to Renee’s other passion, and that’s the right wordas she writes romance novels. Her first, “To Charm A Bluestocking” was published by Harlequin and she has written a series of novels since, several of which have horse racing themes. She continues to write for Bluebloods whilst raising her kids and reading over 100 books a year and she can’t wait to put more pens to paper.
“I’d love to write some non-fiction horse books too, actually the list of books I want to write is quite long!”
Over a lengthy period breeding many classy gallopers, the Atkinson farmily of Furlong Stud have earned the respect of their peers. Hard working, skilled horse people with a dedication to the thoroughbred. But who, like all of us, enjoy a bit of down time.
And for Jim and his son Dan, that time has been spent flying radio controlled planes.
“Dan and I have always been interested in planes,” Jim said, “so one day in 2004 we wandered down to a local club to have a look. We got invited to give it a try and it grew from there.”
And boy did it grow, Dan now a professional pilot for a large company!
And whilst Jim has not tinkered in the hobby for a while, he still has not only his collection of planes - including one he built himself... “it is around 33% of full scale” - but his own airstrip on the farm. And he has spent time as instructor at the local club, encouraging further generations of mini-pilots.
Flying is, he says, exceptionally good fun and “a great escape, a chance to really chill out. And it was great for Dan growing up.”
“It teaches kids various thought processes whilst enjoying a good atmosphere amongst wonderful people from all walks of life; we have travelled to other clubs and made life-long friends,” he said of a hobby which knows no financial bounds.
“Some people spend a lot of money on their planes but you can have just as much fun with a cheap one you can control from your phone.”
A bit of art, a bit of adrenaline chasing, a bit of gourmet food, a bit of romance... and so it seems that racing people lead very interesting lives, though we already knew that!
Michael Kollosche 04111 888 15
Ryan Ward 0405 309 359
Claire Dai 戴熙彤 0432 318 746
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*approximate
For Will Johnson, four years tutelage from two of Europe’s leaders in their respective crafts in Roger Varian and Hubie de Burgh has set the platform for the success of his fledgling agenc, William Johnson Bloodstock. He’s only been back in Australia for a tick over a year, but already the results are flwing and the excitement he exudes at the prospect of returning to the Gold Coast this January is the right kind of infectious.
The image of a set of racing colours is the feature of the home page of the William Johnson Bloodstock website. Simple in design the sky blue, red sleeves and royal blue cap are instantly recognisable by us of a certain vintage as those carried to an effortless Golden Slipper victory by a true champion, the mighty Vain. The image is both a respectful nod to his forebears and also serves as an aspirational reminder to Will of where the bar has been set and what the latest in the Johnson family line is striving to achieve. He certainly doesn’t underplay the significance of those silks. “I am very lucky to have inherited them. From what I can gather my greatgrandfather Walter Johnson and his brothers would have been using them since the 1920s, if not before. I grew up surrounded by photos and paintings of Pat Hyland winning the Slipper and the Caulfield Guineas on Vain so I thought it would be a nice touch to incorporate them into my business moving forward. While I don’t plan to have many horses racing it would be nice to think that some time through the journey of my career some horses could race in those colours and hopefully one is half as good as Vain.”
There’s nothing like a challenge - finding one half as good as Vain! Blessed with blistering speed Vain was a rarity in that he could stretch that out to the mile of the Caulfield Guineas. And tough; he won three times in eight days over the 1969 Melbourne Cup Carnival, the last, what is now the Cantala Stakes, carrying 4.5 kilos over weight-for-age.
Like many Victorian children with racing in their veins, pardon the pun, it was a link to the Melbourne Cup that sparked a young Will’s interest in bloodlines. “I grew up on Ealing Park just north of Euroa in north-eastern Victoria. School holidays were spent helping out on the
farm, around the vet-crush, working with the stock and doing a few yearling preparations. My father Tim stood stallions like Kingston Rule, Rustic Amber and Clear Choice and it was Kingston Rule that sparked my interest in pedigrees. It was novel having the fastest ever Melbourne Cup winner in the back yard and learning about his pedigree as a son of Secretariat out of a lovely family developed by David Hains. That Mr Hains could send a mare to America and breed a Melbourne Cup winner gave me a sense of how small the racing world was, and that intrigued me. That, along with my uncle Murray having trained in Kentucky, probably sowed the seed for one day down the line wanting to work overseas.”
It wasn’t long before Will had progressed to getting his hands dirty at a trainer’s yard. “At boarding school in Melbourne Henry Dwyer would pick me up on Saturday and Sunday mornings and we would go and work at various stables which I found captivating. I then took on a marketing degree at Monash University while still working for trainers in the morning before Uni, the proceeds from which paid for the inevitable costs of socialising après-study! I had to balance working in the stables and riding trackwork in the mornings with the study, but both aspects have proven invaluable in the years that followed. The degree gave me an understanding of accounting, marketing and, importantly, how a self-promoting business should work. The process of creating goals and having a timeline as to how you would like the business to develop, key elements of my current business model, along with getting to work with nice horses would prove invaluable when working overseas. Watching the Melbourne trainers work with treadmills was fascinating while I learned a lot about interval training and
the effects of lactic acids. It also opened up my thought processes about how training will look in the future and how reliant trainers will be on treadmills as it becomes more and more difficult to secure riding staff. Then on Uni holidays I got to spend time working at Lindsay Park and John Foote kindly allowed me to follow him around at the yearling sales, both great experiences for which I am grateful.”
The circumstances around Will packing up and moving to England might best be compared to a player trade in football. “David Eustace came out to Melbourne in 2014 with Faraaj and My Ambivalent for the Melbourne Cup when assistant to Roger Varian and a mutual friend from England asked if I’d look after David while he was out here. On the back of that I had the opportunity to dine with Roger and his wife Hanako. David chose to stay and work for Peter Moody and as a consequence about two months later an opportunity arose at Roger’s to work as a Pupil Assistant Trainer which I took up, just learning the ropes. About six months after that Roger’s Assistant Trainer decided to move on and, although it was a little daunting given my lack of background in English racing, I took up that role.”
The step up came at a turning point for the Varian yard. “In David’s last year with Roger the stable had five Gr.1 winners and consequently the number of horses on the books grew from 100 to 200 which brought challenges around staff management and stable procedures which Roger hadn’t encountered before. We had to put in management structures that allowed Roger to efficiently deal with the increased number of horses and staff and one step was, having used Ardex before, we became the first British stable to have it installed as an aid for communications and logistics.”
For those who have witnessed the morning exercise routine on Newmarket Heath and surrounds, the contrast to Australian trackwork couldn’t be greater. “I was on the gallops with Roger each day and he is a wonderful teacher, an outstanding mentor and a great friend to this day. It was a fantastic two years during which Postponed won a Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and a Juddmonte International Stakes and Belardo won a Lockinge Stakes (all Gr.1s). Roger also kindly sent me to Dubai for a winter to oversee Postponed’s training in preparation for the Sheema Classic. It was both fantastic and educational watching a trainer of his calibre prepare a horse through an English Winter to be fit enough to get on a plane just a few weeks before his Grand Final.”
Some of the methods used by Varian and other British trainers wouldn’t be contemplated here. “The use of a lead horse that was potentially rated 100-110 to ensure the stable star was stretched in their track gallop is something rarely seen in Australia.
The idea of sacrificing a horse with ability just to ensure a better horse had every opportunity to shine is an expensive way of doing things. The European trainers also use the feedback from their gallop riders and jockeys differently which I found fascinating. It’s a different lifestyle over there with a 6am start rather than the 4am over here, unless it is during a few weeks in high summer when you have to get up early to beat Sir Michael Stoute or John Gosden to the fresh ground. The trainers and key staff tend to work throughout the day leaving time in the afternoons and evenings for other pursuits which lends itself to a better work/life balance.”
Will’s education as a trainer came to a semi-abrupt end thanks to the bane of every traveller’s life, the expiring visa, but all it did was push him down another exciting path. “While working for Roger I was approached by Hubie de Burgh who said there was always a position for me at his agency. At the time I had to decline as I was really enjoying my time with Roger. However, my visa only allowed me to work in Great Britain for two years and when we couldn’t get that extended I went back to Hubie to ask if the offer still held as he could sponsor me to stay in Ireland. We caught up and discussed the possibilities at which point we agreed I’d come back to him with a plan of how we could structure things so I could get maximum benefit out of it. I did, we agreed, and I packed the car up and drove to County Wicklow. I was with Hubie for 2 ½ years in which time I learned a lot very quickly with regards consulting, purchasing and overseeing bloodstock portfolios and I learned just how many things can go wrong when putting together a bloodstock deal.”
“The market for good horses in Europe is so competitive, particularly for ones in training. I was lucky to be part of securing some nice horses for Australia but buying for America and Japan - that landscape is just so competitive. The pool outside of Coolmore and Godolphin is exceedingly small and that means spreading the net wide and travelling to see potential purchases. Travelling by plane or train throughout Europe to secure those horses was a
“WITH HUBIE UNABLE TO TRAVEL BECAUSE OF THE COVID RESTRICTIONS I’VE SPENT THIS YEAR WORKING CLOSELY WITH SCOTT DARBY AND HIS FABULOUS TEAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH HUBIE.
great experience and I met a lot of wonderful people along the way. Being in Europe for four years rather than the original two helped me to build contacts, whether it be through Hubie or the people I met, which could lead to opportunities in the future.
Hubie instilled in me that 60-80% of the job is communication and relationship building and the rest is letting the horses look after themselves. It’s also vital to be familiar with recent results and to put the hard yards in at the sales complexes.”
When quizzing Will about why he chose to return to Australia in 2019, he offered an insight into his grasp of the global industry. “I was rising 29 and thought that the opportunities that would be available in Australia over the next two decades made it the right time to come home. The thought was that it was the right time to do the hard work to establish a business before looking at having a family.
I believe that the strong business model the Australian industry has will lead to greater opportunities compared to Europe where issues like low prizemoney returns have yet to be properly addressed.
Aware of that industry strength based on betting tax revenue being returned as prizemoney, and also the rise of syndications, Hubie understood and so was supportive of the move. Working with Hubie, doing the farm and sale inspections meant I was able to build up connections including Darby Racing. I was then able to set up William Johnson Bloodstock in September 2019 so my first sale where I purchased under that banner was Magic Millions January of 2020. My plan is to grow the business organically without trying to kill too many birds too quickly.”
To continue to trade during COVID times bloodstock agents have had to heavily network and rely on the skills of other agents, and here Will’s connection with de Burgh has been beneficial to both parties. “With Hubie unable to travel because of the COVID restrictions I’ve spent this year working closely with Scott Darby and his fabulous team in conjunction with Hubie. Working with Darby Racing means looking at every horse no matter what level. They have that fantastic history of having purchased two Gr.1 winners in She Will Reign and Yankee Rose for $30,000 combined. The challenge will be to get some nice horses of similar ability for them over the next few years.” And Will’s experience on both sides of the equator should hold him in good stead in a post COVID market. “I did have a small address book of clients when I went to Hubie’s which I have kept, and being on the ground here in Australia is seen as advantageous for Hubie’s international clients. One example is Craig Bernick, President and CEO of Glen Hill Farm in Florida who has taken to exporting a few mares to Australia to breed commercially and I’m sure he will be an active player down here in the years to come. The industry needs foreign investment and it is exciting to see the likes of Craig, Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Farm, Starlight Racing and SF Bloodstock continuing to buy here and I hope to be able to expand that side of my business, although travel plans for 2020 were very much derailed. I will be on the first plane abroad when the opportunity presents itself to foster those international relationships.”
Any new business needs the opportunity to show its wares and in Will’s case he can’t wait to get to the Gold Coast in January to get to work. “The Gold Coast is reminiscent of the fun and excitement of Deauville and it’s great that everyone can escape to Queensland and enjoy the exceptional hospitality Magic Millions put on. Barry (Bowditch) and Clint (Donovan) do a wonderful job and it certainly isn’t a chore getting on the plane to go to the Gold Coast knowing everyone will be there and we get to look at some great horseflesh as well.
As a brand Gerry (Harvey) and Katie (PageHarvey) have done such an amazing job securing so much involvement both domestically and internationally.
The raceday has grown enormously and the ladies’ bonus is a tremendous concept. And the team go out of their way to make things happen, testament to which was the fly-in, fly-out one day mission before the recent 2yos In Training Sale which, while maintaining strict COVID protocols, agents were able to view horses on the grounds. Scott and I bought an Exceed And Excel colt for $250,000 from the sale which I might not have done if I hadn’t had the opportunity to see him in the flesh.”
And Will has already experienced the thrills of purchasing a Magic Millions yearling that made he and his friends Gr.1 owners. “Sam Freedman and I were looking for a trade horse to potentially sell to Hong Kong and we searched the Adelaide sale which is renowned for producing value. Anthony (Freedman) suggested the Declaration Of War colt that would eventually be Warning so Sam and I assessed the pedigree. I had experience with a son of War Front at Roger’s and was impressed by the stallion and I’d also noticed Coolmore had been crossing Galileo mares with the War Front line with some success. Warning’s dam was the Galileo mare Livia who, coincidentally, was foaled down on my parents’ farm and I remembered her grandam Lemon Spice being on the farm when I was growing up. So when I saw the Galileo/War Front cross I gravitated to that pedigree and he came in under budget at $65,000.”
“I think I got the greatest satisfaction from putting some of my friends from boarding school and their friends into the horse and experiencing the ups and
downs of the sport. He didn’t show enough early promise to be a trade to Hong Kong, but then he won a Listed race at Flemington over 1800 metres and of course went on to win the Victoria Derby. If you could capture, bottle, then sell the excitement of the two minutes after the Derby we would have everyone hooked on racing. The flow on from his success has been that the ownership group have convinced more of their friends to get involved in another, now, twoyear-old Sam and I bought. I like the idea of putting together partnerships with friends and family and having a good time with people that are close to you. It was also pleasing to see the joy the group got out of having a runner in the Melbourne Cup. We couldn’t be there and Warning probably didn’t run the trip, but it was both exciting and rewarding at the same time.”
It is clear from chatting with Will that he has the grounding to be a leader in his field a clear understanding of the current state of play and an acute awareness of the future challenges the industry faces. What he doesn’t know is just when the Johnson family silks might adorn a Champion –one half as good as Vain.
Spectators were treated to four fast paced games of polo, live entertainment, exceptional horsemanship and fashions on the field, marking a magical start to the 2020 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.
She was only a few months old but already knew that she was special. When the camera came out she posed, standing proudly next to her mother before putting on a show, grabbing a bit of hay and prancing around the paddock.
Click, click went the lens and she loved every second of the attention being bestowed upon her.
“FORWARD, STRONG, INQUISITIVE, DETERMINED,” ARE THE WORDS WIDDEN STUD’S ANTONY THOMPSON USED TO DESCRIBE THE STRONG BAY WHO FIRST STAGGERED INTO THE WORLD ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015.
Weighing in at a healthy 61kg, she was the product of a straightforward foaling and it was not long until she was making her presence felt.
“From early on she commanded respect,” Thompson said, recalling that she was prone to “putting her ears back and letting you know who was boss.”
It was the year of the arrival of the first crop of the dual Group One winner Zoustar and so impressive were his youngsters that Thompson was keen to arrange a photo shoot. Renowned equine photographer Sharon Chapman was engaged and she embarked on creating a series of “awesome images.”
And one of the stars of those images was the daughter of the dual Group Three winning Charge Forward mare Solar Charged. A filly who developed quickly and beautifully... “she was a lovely foal and a stunning yearling,” said Thompson who remembers her being so popular with those carrying out inspections at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
She handled the process well though her handlers knew that they could not just open her box and charge in. “You just had to open the door and let her come to you,” Thompson laughed, “otherwise she might chase you out!”
Taking a particular shine to her was Tony McEvoy... “I loved her!” he said when asked of his first impressions. “She was just such a lovely, Australian sprinting type - deep, strong, powerful, classy.”
Strong bidding ensued for the well related filly whose “swagger and style” impressed all. “We had to fight to buy her,” McEvoy recalled, delighted when the winning bid of $300,000 was, along with Aquis and Blue Sky Bloodstock, his.
“She was our pick of the sale and we would never have forgiven ourselves if we did not get her,” he said.
Speaking with McEvoy after the purchase, Antony Thompson expressed his admiration of the filly whilst suggesting that she would be an ideal candidate for the Magic Millions Racing Women’s Bonus. “I said if he was interested in that Katie would love to come back in as an owner.”
And so it eventuated, Katie Thompson joined by Robyn Parker, Irene Mitchell, Loretta Fung (Aquis Farm) and G1G Racing & Breeding as well as by Sunlight’s co-breeders Rae, Shannon and Jordan Fletcher (of Telemon Stud) and Qatar Bloodstock.
Watching on with interest the day Sunlight went through the ring was Magic Millions’ media manager Greg Irvine. “The word going around that year was that Widden had a quality line of Zoustar fillies at the sale and she was a most admired yearling.”
“She was a once in a lifetime horse who gave us the best ride of our lives”
As an unabashed lover of all things thoroughbred, Irvine was keen to follow Sunlight (whose clever and attractive name was bestowed upon her by Katie Thompson), especially after hearing early whispers.
“There was soon talk around that she was very good and whilst beaten at her first start, she quickly established herself as one of the most exciting young horses around.”
Sent out favourite at her debut in the Maribyrnong Trial-Listed, 1000m, Sunlight was a close-up third, a run good enough to see her sent out odds-on favourite in a Gold Coast 2Y0 Handicap in late December 2017.
Travelling well throughout, she was urged along by Luke Currie with 250m to go and she exploded, her winning margin a soft 4 3/4 lengths. “She just toyed with her rivals,” Irvine recalled, “and you just knew that you had seen something special.”
Accompanying Sunlight to Queensland was a passionate member of the McEvoy team, Sarah Rutten who up to that stage had not had a lot to do with the promising youngster. But something clicked from the first time they got together.
Destined to work with horses, her father owning a saddlery, Rutten was just four when her first pony came into her life. At 15 she was working in racing stables part time whilst still at school and since 2015 she has been working for McEvoy Racing.
Stabled with Tony Gollan during her Queensland sojourn, Sunlight had Rutten by her side day in, day out for three months. So dedicated was Rutten to her favourite horse that she refused to be replaced for even just a short trip home for Christmas, the McEvoys generously flying her mum Christiane to Brisbane for the holiday.
Favourite in Magic Millions’ showpiece despite a tricky outside gate, Sunlight mustered early speed, sitting off a fast pace. Ridden along a little to chase as the leader Ef Troop skipped clear turning, she responded - picking up quickly and sensationally, racing away to a memorable two length victory.
“She’s a star filly,” Tony McEvoy enthused on the day whilst Luke Currie noted that “she came here with the weight of expectation and she’s proved all of her fans right.”
It was onto Sydney for Sunlight, Rutten of course still with her (“from when we got to Queensland until her retirement, apart from when she was spelling, I pretty much didn’t leave her side,”) as she duelled with Estijaab in the Silver Slipper Stakes-Gr.2, 1100m, then adding to her resume the Magic Night StakesGr.3, 1200m.
“That was incredible,” Calvin McEvoy said in the wake of the Silver Slipper, “that was all class.” And after the Magic Night Tony McEvoy was just as happy - “she is tough, and she is the sort of two-year-old you dream of.”
All was set for a crack at the Golden Slipper-Gr.1, 1200m and whilst she did not win, Sunlight lost no fans where her gutsy third - “she was gallant in defeat,” Luke Currie reported.
The Melbourne spring saw Sunlight make her way into the winners circle on three occasions; the Quezette Stakes-Gr.3, 1100m, the Thoroughbred Club Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m and the Coolmore Stud StakesGr.1, 1200m down the famed Flemington straight.
It was a particularly determined victory in the latter, Sunlight engaging in a battle with Zousain and putting her nose down where it mattered. And what a memorable moment it was for the Widden crew, an all Zoustar (Lean Mean Machine third) finish. And an all Magic Millions finish to boot.
“It was a big call to take on the colts,” Tony McEvoy told the press, “but I have such faith in her. She was there for the fight today and they had their chance to get her. She’s a courageous superstar and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
“This is one of our greatest moments,” Antony Thompson said. “For Zoustar to have three runners from his first crop in this race was incredible, to trifecta it is next level!”
Another two elite level sprints for Sunlight in the autumn, the Newmarket Handicap-Gr.1,1200m and the William Reid Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m. Both times she outsped her rivals, both times illiciting admiration from all including a proud Tony McEvoy.
“I’m in awe of her, what a star. She just rises to the occasion.”
McEvoy loved Sunlight’s personality as well as her talent. “Like all good women,” he joked, “she knew what she wanted and you did not want to get in the way of that. We learned pretty quickly not to fight with her, she was a very purposeful filly.”
Sarah Rutten agreed - “she definitely had plenty of personality and could be very sassy, she could pin her ears back, sometimes lift a leg if someone she didn’t know touched her. But she could also be so loving, she enjoyed a cuddle and most of all loved having her ears and her tail scratched. I always trusted her, she never ever made me feel that she would hurt me.”
“And as far as riding goes, she was amazing - quiet and so smart. You could ride her at any track and she just took it all in, always the professional.”
Whilst the final of her 11 victories would come in the 2019 Gilgai Stakes-Gr.2, 1200m, it was a second in the Golden Eagle that provided a highlight for connections who were saddened by criticism of Sunlight’s unplaced Everest run.
“I was taking a chance stepping her up to the 1500m off that flat run,” McEvoy said, “but I trusted in her and she didn’t let me down, she showed everyone how tough and courageous she was.”
“The Golden Eagle is a race I will never forget,” Sarah Rutten said. “For her to nearly win it was amazing... it was like a win to me and I could not have been any prouder, I was so emotional that day!”
Delighted to pay Sunlight a visit at Coolmore in October, Rutten is still emotional when discussing her favourite girl - “I miss her more than anything everyday. She was, and still is my world.”
Each great run by Sunlight was appreciated and celebrated by her connections including Shannon Fletcher whose parents Dan and Rae of Telemon Stud are proud co-breeders.
“She was a once in a lifetime horse who gave us the best ride of our lives,” she said, adding that racing her was also a wonderful bonding experience, one that “brought all of our family and friends together.”
It was sad news for all involved when Sunlight’s retirement was announced but there was a chance for a spectacular goodbye on Monday July 27, 2020 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Aptly part of the Widden Stud draft, led through the ring by Sarah Rutten, Sunlight was the talk of the sale. Bidding kicked off at $1 million, increasing in $200,000 and $100,000 increments before reaching a record breaking $4.2 million into the hands of Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier.
Widden Stud had themselves bid, getting a group together in the hope of holding onto their prized mare, but they could not match the price. “We were happy and sad,” Antony Thompson said. “It was an emotional day, she had been such a big part of our lives for the previous few years with Katie and the kids getting such a kick out of her career but you just have to be thrilled with a result like that.”
Telemon’s Rae Fletcher described the experience as “heart wrenching... I bought a lot of lottery tickets hoping I would get lucky and win enough to buy her!” Magnier meanwhile was beaming. “She is a filly of a generation,” he said on the day, “we are very lucky to have got her.”
But even with the big money changing hands, with the talk of Sunlight’s sizeable achievements, it was a moment just after the sale - one captured so brilliantly by local photographer Michael McInallythat stood out that day. A tearful Sarah Rutten.
“I THOUGHT I COULD GET A PHOTO OF SUNLIGHT WITH SARAH BEING CONGRATULATED BY THE STABLE HANDSWHICH DID HAPPEN, BUT THEN I ALSO TOOK THAT PICTURE JUST AFTER SHE PUT THE MARE BACK IN HER BOX. IT WAS JUST PURE EMOTION,” MCINALLY SAID.
“I knew it was a beautiful image but on sale day I was so wrapped up with what was going on, editing them moving onto the next horse. But I soon started to get messages once the photo was up on social media and it just exploded from there. I was very excited and happy to have captured such a special moment.”
“That photo told an amazing story,” Greg Irvine said. “Michael didn’t know at the time the power that photo portrayed, it was incredible and it was no surprise to see that image become so loved across social media and to become a story in its own right.”
Irvine was quite emotional himself that day. Born and raised at Ceduna in South Australia, he grew up respecting the McEvoy family who were “from just down the road at Streaky Bay.”
“To see Tony graduate from a jockey on the west coast to the big time of training has been so personally satisfying,” he said, adding that Sunlight’s Magic Millions and Group One wins “gave me great thrills. And for her to return to the Gold Coast for the National Broodmare Sale was a great coup for Magic Millions. To be there to witness that history and to help send that news out to the world was humbling.”
A Magic Millions yearling, a Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, a Magic Millions broodmare - Sunlight; the full circle of Magic Millions success.
Success also highlighted by the outstanding mares Viddora, Invincibella and Champagne Cuddles who were also Magic Millions yearling sale graduates who returned to Bundall in July.
And the first two of those also won Magic Millions features, Viddora on the same day as Sunlight’s big 2YO win swamping her rivals in the Magic Millions Sprint, the same race in which twelve months earlier she was only just beaten.
All part of a marvellous career that saw the $40,000 Adelaide Magic Millions graduate (who was sold on in July for $2.55 million to Yulong) win nine races including the Winterbottom Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m and the Moir Stakes-Gr.1, 1000m and over $2.8 million in stakes.
“She took us on one hell of a ride,” trainer Lloyd Kennewell said, always grateful to his first Group One winner who he said “stood out to everybody, everywhere she went.”
“Physically I could not fault her,” he said and Yulong’s Luke Wilkinson agreed - “she is just an absolutely great type and it is great to get a mare like her into the broodmare band.
Fellow I Am Invincible mare Invincibella loved the Gold Coast too, writing her name in the history books by claiming three consecutive runnings of the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares, the first of those on the same day that Sunlight and Viddora were also in the winners circle.
A $185,000 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds, she the twelve times winner was sold in July to Tom Magnier for $1.3 million. It was a “poignant” moment for Star’s Denise Martin who reflected on Invincibella’s finest moments as she sat in the ring awaiting her star mare’s turn. Not only did she look back fondly at her wins - such as the Tattersall’s Tiara-Gr.1, 1400m - but also on the pleasure the mare gave all who were involved.
“EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO RODE HER FELL IN LOVE WITH HER,” SHE SAID. “SHE IS JUST A SWEETHEART, A MARE WHO ALWAYS GAVE HER ALL.”
Also in Tom Magnier’s shopping basket in July was the dual Group winner Champagne Cuddles who sold for $2 million on the back of a racing career that saw her win four races and over $1.4 million. A mare highly regarded by trainer Bjorn Baker who, after her record breaking Gold Coast Guineas-Gr.3, 1200m victory described her as “top class. She’s got a massive ticker, she is strong and has a great attitude.”
FROM DAY ONE THE THOROUGHBRED VERSION OF SAID BEHEMOTH WAS SOMEWHAT OF A STAND-OUT. “BIG AND GAWKY,” WERE THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LINDA MONDS WHO HAD THE PLEASURE OF BRINGING THE FUTURE GROUP ONE WINNER INTO THE WORLD.
Born at historic Tyreel Stud on October 21, 2015 the son of All Too Hard was considerably larger than the average foal but what he lacked in compactness he made up for in temperament.
“Even as he grew bigger and bigger he was never intimidating,” Monds recalled, adding that “he always had a beautiful, relaxed demeanour. He was a gentle soul.”
Linda and her husband Laurence bred Behemoth under the banner of Wallings Bloodstock named in honour of Linda’s parents Helen and David Wallings, long time lovers of the thoroughbred.
For as long as Linda can remember her family has been dabbling in breeding and racing, gaining great pride from such simple pleasures as cheering home a runner in a Newcastle maiden.
After a couple of decades in the business world the lure of the thoroughbred proved too strong for Linda and Laurence and when Tyreel, the showpiece property developed by the late Jim Fleming, came on the market they could not resist.
Six years on and what great success they have enjoyed, Behemoth part of a great 2020 that has also seen them cheer on the likes of Everest winner Classique Legend and the dual Group One winner Montefilia.
A strong force at the sales, Tyreel each season choose a group of horses to sell as weanlings and in 2016 the big All Too Hard colt out of the Listed winning Zedrich mare Pretty Banger colt was one of those... and Monds was proud to present him.
“He had such a beautiful walk, a lovely action - he was just large. But we did really well with him fetching $120,000.”
Purchased by Heritage Bloodstock as a pin-hooking proposition, the bay continued to grow as he headed towards the yearling sales. Linda Monds didn’t see him as he paraded at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale but Tyreel stud manager Rob Sims did, reporting that “he is huge!! But he still has that really nice, loose action.”
Something that also caught the eye of bloodstock agent John Price who was at the sale in search of suitable horses for Grand Syndications. His pedigree had impressed Peter Morley and the company’s racing manager Sam Lyons but it was feared that, on the back of his weanling sale price, he would be out of their reach.
“And for that reason I was not there when he went through the ring,” Lyons said.
A MIGHTY ANIMAL WHOSE “BONES ARE TUBES OF BRONZE, HIS LIMBS LIKE BARS OF IRON.”
The Old Testament (Job 40:18) describing the Behemoth.
But fortunately Price, who had jokingly described the colt as being “fat as a whale,” was, and for just $6000 the big fella was theirs.
And they were delighted, looking past the colt’s bulk and seeing the “beautiful frame” within it... “and he moved so well,” Lyons said.
“He did not have the most attractive of heads,” he recalled, “but it’s not a beauty contest!”
Whilst writing emails to the horse’s new owners, Lyons would refer to him as “The Behemoth” and when the time came to officially name him it stuck... and thirteen shareholders from all around the country began an incredible racing journey.
Gelded early, Behemoth broke in well and was soon showing above average talent. Despite his size (he is 17hh and over 600kg), he always had pace and was forward enough to race twice at two. Finishing off nicely at his Balaklava debut in June 2018, he was unlucky not to win at Gawler next time out - charging home despite costing himself considerable ground by racing greenly.
Still raw when resuming his career a few months later he was nevertheless able to record dominant victories at Morphettville and Moonee Valley and everyone involved was getting excited.
“David Jolly said to us early that ‘you might have a Group One horse here’ which was an amazing thing to hear from such an astute trainer,” Lyons said.
Quickly progressing through the grades, Behemoth was, in just his third preparation, second in the Redelva Stakes-Listed, 1100m and the Goodwood Handicap-Gr.1, 1200m, then freshened for a winter campaign that saw him break through for his first stakes success in the Penny Edition Stakes-Listed, 1400m.
It was in 2020 that he would really make his mark however, awarded the D.C McKay Stakes-Gr.3, 1100m (after the original winner Jungle Edge returned a positive swab) en route to a winter/spring treble... the Spring Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m, the Memsie Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m and the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m.
“HE IS SUPER COMPETITIVE, IF YOU WATCH HIS RACES YOU CAN SEE THAT HE LIKES TO DRAW UP TO OTHER HORSES, SLOW DOWN AND LAY IN A BIT ON THEM BEFORE HE REALLY LETS DOWN, IT IS LIKE HE IS PLAYING A GAME WITH HIS RIVALS. AND WHEN HE MAKES HIS RUN HE PINS HIS EARS RIGHT BACK.”
Sadly of course his delighted owners could not be on course to enjoy the Group One glory in person but footage of Sam Lyons roaring from his lounge room quickly spread across social media and owners celebrated in similar vein.
Hopefully there is more in store for Behemoth who is gaining a following amongst racing fans, his popularity of course partly due to his talent but mostly due to his size and the name that goes with it.
“It has become part of his legend,” Lyons laughed. “People who are yet to see him tell me that they can’t wait to see him in the flesh!”
To go with his size, Behemoth is also big in personality.
“He is an interesting horse,” Lyons said. “He loves his own company, he is a bit of a loner but also a softie. Though when he was younger he did enjoy dropping his riders just for a bit of fun!”
Behemoth’s personality was something that stood out to trainer David Jolly right from the start, and talent soon shone through as well.
It was as a spring two-year-old that Behemoth first made his way to Jolly’s Goolwa stables and he admits that he did not know what to expect.
“When I was first told he was coming I looked him up, saw what he cost and thought that he must be missing a leg or something!”
But what turned up was a horse who looked far classier than his price tag suggested and immediately Jolly thought of him more as “the $120,000 weanling than the $6000 yearling.”
“He never looked like a juvenile, at two he already had the head and the style of an older horse. We took him to the beach a couple of times and then to the track. We didn’t push him but even then working with older city winners he looked like he was getting the better of them.”
Telling connections that this was a horse worth looking after, Jolly took things slowly. Two starts at two, trips to Melbourne and Sydney, the horse progressing and maturing with each experience.
“He is a highly intelligent horse who needed to learn how to harness his natural talent into becoming a racehorse. Early days we had to be careful with him, he could use his weight against you and it seemed he could not get through any piece of work without wanting to do something silly at the end of it.”
Such as dumping a rider and trotting off along the beach, head proudly perched high as though he had just played a great joke on his people!
Time, patience and gentle handling has seen Behemoth progress. “He is so much better to deal with now,” Jolly said. “It was as though early on he was just that bit confused, he had the raw talent but didn’t know what to do with it.”
As a five-year-old with 18 starts under his belt, Behemoth is still lightly raced and the best may still be to come for the “big horse with a big presence.”
Broadbeach has undoubtedly become the ‘it’ destination to stay during the Magic Millions Carnival.
The locality which combines a chilled beachside vibe with The Star Gold Coast precinct and Pacific Fair shopping, is not just the place to stay, be entertained or to shop – Broadbeach is the place to dine.
The 2.5 kilometre strip between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach is an evolving mecca for foodies with local produce headlining the most atmospheric dining experiences to provide a signature Gold Coast evening after the sales.
Relax over a drink or a dish as we review what’s on offer in Broadbeach and surrounds.
The newest addition to the Gennari Group located on Surf Parade in Broadbeach since September 2020.
Arguably the most grammable venue on the Gold Coast, with its vibrant pink and purple colours and millions of cherry blossom flowers and lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
Inspired by the sensuality and quirkiness of the street food and hawker markets of Bangkok, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong the Gennari Group is bringing a new next level Asian Fusion restaurant to the Gold Coast for quick bites and big nights! A great choice for foodies, late night cocktails or casual business lunches.
Maggie Choo – A trip out of your head & into your senses.
www.maggiechoo.com.au
Described as one of the best steak houses on the Gold Coast, Glenelg Public House is renowned for its mouthwatering steaks and warm ambience.
Hungry? From the 1kg t-bone Angus, to the 200g Wagyu eye fillet from Tasmania, there is a steak for everyone’s taste and appetite cooked to perfection.
Start your meal with Coffin Bay Pacific Oysters or Chicken Liver Parfait served with a Grape Chutney, described by fans as “the best Parfait on the planet”. It’s a big call, but it lives up to the hype and shouldn’t be missed.
GPH’s signature entrée, the Roasted Bone Marrow has wowed critics and diners and if it’s a more traditional entrée you’re after, try the Southern Fried Chicken Wings.
Internally, GPH has that “English Pub with modern sophistication feel”, a classically styled dining room featuring moody lighting and dark-wood furnishings that make you feel good the moment you walk in the door. Sip a cocktail at the bar or choose from the extensive wine list, or for those who prefer to dine outside, the outdoor dining terrace will be perfect for those warm summer nights. www.theglenelgpublichouse.com.au
Garden Kitchen & Bar is the ultimate venue for any occasion or no occasion at all. Whether you’re catching up with friends for drinks on the luxurious lounges at Garden Bar, enjoying a delicious meal in Garden Kitchen or celebrating the outdoors on The Deck or The Lawn - you’re always in for an amazing experience.
Discover a seasonal menu that’s ripe for the picking and fresh cocktails in full bloom. Packed with vibrant flavours and carefully curated ingredients by Chef Chris McLeay!
Garden Kitchen & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.star.com.au/goldcoast/restaurants/garden-kitchen-bar
Hideaway Kitchen and Bar is one of the Gold Coast’s culinary sensations - an exciting venue for evening drinks and mouth-watering Asian food, right in the heart of Broadbeach.
Dine inside surrounded by the vibrant graffiti artwork and funky neon signage, kick up your heels on the bar swing, or alfresco under the hanging umbrella installation. Whether it’s for an intimate dinner for two or a large group, Hideaway has your feasting needs covered with a selection of small or large share plates. Think duck pancakes, sticky lamb ribs, fried crab wontons, green papaya salad, tempura whole fish, duck red curry and plenty more to satisfy your cravings!
You’ll find a variety of signature cocktails, a carefully thought out wine list as well as both local and imported beer options, all designed to complement the cuisine. www.hideawaykitchen.com.au
A favourite with locals and tourists alike, Koi Broadbeach is a vibrant alfresco venue that embraces its remarkable location right in the heart of Broadbeach. Koi offers a sophisticated yet relaxed space with a coastal modern vibe, featuring modern Australian cuisine, an extensive steak selection, wood fired pizzas, tapas and pastas.
After 14 years of trading as the most popular restaurant in Broadbeach, this multi-awardwinning restaurant was completely refurbished in March 2020 ... and it continues to offer something for everyone with an ever-evolving extensive lunch, dinner, & wine menus - and serving tapas and cocktails until late.
Iconic Sunday sessions with live music and entertainment, from the home of the Koi Boys. www.koibroadbeach.com.au
Opened by Tim and Shannon three years ago with 20 years’ experience in the industry, the North Room is cosy and intimate, catering for just 28. Head Chef, Tim Stewart, boasts a resume including Palazzo Versace, Oskars and Seaduction to name just a few.
Sit back and sample the delights served up by the Degustation Menu - perfectly paired dishes and wine selections, this will be a feast you will remember for years to come. The menu features seasonal locally sourced produce, and is regularly updated.
No visit is complete without sampling the North Room’s famous Mud Crab, served with bone marrow crumpet, cultured cream and salted egg yolk. It’s one of the dishes that has made this Gold Coast eatery famous and keeps locals and visitors alike returning for more. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bookings are essential. www.thenorthroom.com.au
“Get Loose at the Moose”
The Loose Moose Tap & Grill House has you covered for lunch, dinner and until late with “it’s good to be bad” menus specialising in Canadian fare – ribs, wings, hot dogs, steaks and burgers - using only the finest locally sourced ingredients.
Great for family lunches, social meet ups, cheat meals, and late night drinks in this casual, fun and social environment.
Offering 25 varieties of craft beers on tap and 160 whiskeys from all over the world.
The Loose Moose is also home to a must see Sunday Session, with live music, from 2pm to 7pm. www.theloosemoose.com.au
Lined with relics procured from all over South East Asia, the lights are soft with hues of red as you enter through the concrete and cherry blossom peppered doorway.
Mamasan Kitchen + Bar offers the perfect blend of traditional and modern cuisine from South East Asia, from renowned Chef Ray Choi. Flavours are authentic, combined together with precision and synergy to complement each other, staying true to the unique flavours that pepper the South East Asian culture.
With a focus on the share food philosophy, encompassing small intimate bites to banquet style dining, the flavours are striking and highlighted further when combined with the zesty, Asian inspired cocktail list alongside international beers, wines, spirits and sake.
With professional, friendly service in a central location, Mamasan Kitchen + Bar delivers on the ultimate Pan-Asian dining experience.
www.mamasanbroadbeach.com
Sister venue of multi award-winning bar and restaurant
Miss Moneypenny’s Noosa, Miss Moneypenny’s Broadbeach delivers high-end dining within a cutting edge relaxed environment.
Offering globally inspired modern Mediterranean cuisine, alongside a diverse range of cocktails created and constructed beyond an international standard, the venue is very fortunate to have at its helm world renowned executive chef Adam Dundas-Taylor who has worked with some of the culinary world’s greatest. From long hours at Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fifteen’ in his earlier years to serving London’s finest at Nobu Mayfair (rated the 10th best restaurant in the world at the time) and even cooking at Elton John’s wedding, Adam has quite the envious resumè.
Miss Moneypenny’s also boasts ‘The Rimini Room’ an exclusive, large, private dining room available for hire. The Rimini Room can accommodate 75 seated guests, 150 standing and also offers a private bar, elevator access and an exclusive outdoor terrace.
www.missmoneypennysbroadbeach.com
“Sophisticated Decadent Louche”
Be spoilt in this 1920’s inspired ultra-exclusive and luxurious speak easy cocktail and lounge bar. Experience molecular theatre cocktails, French Champagne and global wines. This extravagant and seductive restaurant and cocktail bar, located next to The Loose Moose in Broadbeach, has been created for the sophisticated well-heeled mature crowd, giving them somewhere to go until late. Perfect for date nights, intimate events and special occasions. Live DJ & Saxophonist every Saturday night.
www.therooseveltlounge.com.au
Characterised as contemporary coastal Italian, Orzo is a hidden gem tucked away on Oracle Boulevard in Broadbeach, within walking distance to many of the locality’s trendy bars.
Famous for their handcrafted pastas and sourcing only the finest local produce and seafood, Orzo comes from the same team who created the neighbouring Social Eating House and Bar. Following its opening in late 2019 Orzo has fast become a favourite among Broadbeach locals and visitors by taking diners on a journey using traditional techniques with fusion twists.
Sophisticated, and intimate, there is both an indoor and outdoor terrace space catering for around 60 guests. They boast a smart extensive rotating wine list of Italian wines, Australian Italian varietals, and others that match perfectly with their food; a great education for the wine enthusiast. The cocktails take you on a journey to Italy’s coastline, featuring mastered classics like spritzes and negronis to creative signatures.
Their seasonal rotating menu consists of categories like chichetti (snacks) of housemade focaccia, fresh shucked oysters, and eggplant parmigiana crackers. Move down to starters, tasting things like fish crudo, roasted scampi and burrata to name a few; there is something for everyone’s taste. Pasta dishes dominate the mains, with the signature wild boar bolognese, to the spanner crab tagliolini.
Not a pasta fan? Don’t worry, choose between the twice cooked pork riblet or their fish of the day for a culinary delight for the senses.
If you can’t possibly choose, try Orzo’s famous 5 course tasting menu and put your trust in Executive Chef/Owner Matthew Jefferson and head chef hailing from Rome, Fabrizio Faitella and their team to decide for you. Need we say more?
www.orzorestaurant.com.au
MARIE KIZENKO
When Away Game belied her odds to post an emphatic score in the $2,000,000 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic last January, it mirrored the swift rise to prominence in the racing industry by one of her co-owners, Hannah Mathiesen.
The young American had developed an interest in the sport while at university in California and, just a few years later, found herself in the winner’s circle on the Gold Coast.
“It was amazing,” Mathiesen recalled. “There’s a big atmosphere around the Magic Millions sales and the race series that tie into them are very cool. My whole family was able to come and it was really great to have them there. We weren’t really expecting her to win, so that added to the excitement of the day. It really was a special day and one we’ll never forget.”
In addition to landing the seven-figure payday for winning the 2YO Classic, Away Game also secured a $325,000 bonus as part of the Magic Millions Racing Women initiative. Established by Magic Millions in 2012, the bonus offers a total of $500,000 to the top four finishers that are owned or leased by all-female syndicates.
“I think racing in Australia is very accessible to everyone and there are more reasons to get involved,” Mathiesen offered. “The concept of the Women’s Bonus was really new to me. They’re very advanced in the amount of partnerships and syndicates, and all the ways you could get involved in racing. It opens the doors for a lot of people. You can get involved with just a tiny piece of the action. That could be the culture of Australia in general, they seem to have a better knowledge of racing and there are more people involved in the process. Along with the sales themselves, there’s all of the hospitality--the marquees, the tents, lunch provided--it’s just more of an event.”
Mathiesen believes the opportunity for stable visits and watching morning trackwork in Australia has attracted more fans--and potential future owners--than in other parts of the globe.
“That’s one of the things that got me hooked, being able to get a behind-the-scenes look,” she explained. “It all goes back to having a connection with the horse to really develop a love for the sport. That’s what sets our sport apart: there’s an animal that’s trying its heart out for you. In Australia, you can just go to Racing TV, it’s a regular channel. They’ve got segments on retired horses and it’s really helpful to be able to grow the sport. Going to Australia opened a lot of doors for me and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”
Mathiesen grew up in Del Mar, California, not far from the famed oceanside racecourse, but focused on volleyball as a teenager and enrolled at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, in central California, to pursue that sport further. However, an injury curtailed her playing days, and Mathiesen chanced upon the “Thoroughbred Enterprise” program offered as part of the university’s Animal Science Department.
“I NEEDED TO FIND A NEW PASSION, A NEW DIRECTION, SO ON A WHIM I JOINED THE THOROUGHBRED ENTERPRISE,” SHE EXPLAINED.
“I had ridden a bit in summer camp but growing up it was all volleyball for me. I had always liked animals and enjoyed athletics, so racing combined the two perfectly for me. We got to learn the hands-on part of the industry, and once a week there were lectures, so I got a good education all around. That’s what sparked my interest.
“I was extremely lucky that I went to Cal Poly,” Mathiesen added. “We had horses on campus, mainly Quarter Horses, but a select group of four or five Thoroughbreds. Most of them were donated mares from people in the area that wanted to help out the program. We helped with the breedings and got stud fees donated from farms in central California. We were able to get a little taste of all of the parts of the industry and see what we liked. We took trips down to Del
Mar, up to Golden Gate, and even went to the Kentucky Derby one year.”
Upon completing the program, Mathiesen returned home and shared her enthusiasm with her father Mark, and they attended a new owner’s seminar conducted at Del Mar, where they got involved with the prominent partnership syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds.
“We ended up buying five percent of a horse, which we did not expect,” Mathiesen commented. “The horse was being broken in (nearby in San Diego), so we were able to see the whole process of how a racehorse develops, and we really loved it.”
Mathiesen went on to intern with West Point as well as Del Mar, and during her junior year spent a semester in Adelaide as part of a study abroad program. Ahead of her graduation in 2018, she traveled to Florida for the breeze-up sales, where she was able to network with both bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe and Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock. Those encounters would have a profound impact on her immediate future.
“He’s got a lot of involvement in Australia through SF Bloodstock,” Mathiesen said of Ryan. “I wanted to have a future in racing, and asked him what he thought my next step should be. He said, ‘Absolutely go to Australia, you’ll learn more in six months there than in two years anywhere else,’ because of how dominant the industry is there and how important it is to their culture. He got me in contact with Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace and the rest is history. It was an incredible opportunity.”
Fresh off the plane in September 2018, Mathiesen focused on client relations and updates on behalf of those trainers, and was
also able to learn first-hand their process in selecting young horses at auction. At Magic Millions in January 2019, Mathiesen was able to reunite with Kerri Radcliffe to pursue several yearling fillies.
“That Magic Millions was the first sale I worked with Ciaron and Dave,” Mathiesen recalled. “I was inspecting horses with Ciaron and Kerri suggested, ‘Why don’t we try to buy a horse?’ When I heard about the (Magic Millions Racing Women’s) bonus, I thought that it would be really fun to put together a syndicate of some of my family members and friends from the U.S. and try to take a horse racing.”
During her time at Australian auctions, Mathiesen had learned to source the sort of racing prospects that would mature quickly to contest the nation’s strong and lucrative juvenile program.
“We are looking for a type that’s a bit stronger, a bit faster, earlier-looking, which is exactly what Away Game looks like,” she explained. “In terms of pedigree, Snitzel has been champion sire four years in a row so that was definitely a factor in her appeal as well. We were surprised we were able to get her; I thought she’d be the most expensive of the fillies we had on our list. At that time Zoustar was really hot, and we had a couple on our list that blew past the budget. I thought she would be over $500,000, but she fell in our range and I was thrilled. Usually it’s the other way around!”
Offered by Mill Park Stud, Away Game was secured for $425,000 by Radcliffe for the budding Mathiesen partnership. The muscular bay filly was produced by the stakes-placed mare Elusive Wonder.
“When we bought Away Game we had hoped she would be a Magic Millions Classic type filly, just from a pedigree and physical perspective,” Mathiesen reflected. “We just couldn’t imagine that she would actually go out and win the race.
There are eight of us in the group, Mrs [Loretta] Fung from Aquis also bought into her. It’s great to have her involved as well.”
Away Game backed up her victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with wins in the G3 Widden Stakes and the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes, and was also runner-up in the $2 million G1 Golden Slipper in March. She signed off on her juvenile campaign with an honorable fifth against older mares in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes in May on her way to earning over $2.4 million.
In 2019, Mathiesen also formed Oakmont Horse Club with Colt Pike, a fellow American, to establish new avenues and opportunities of international ownership.
“We focus on pinhooking, mainly weanling to yearling in Australia, but we do have a couple of racehorses as well,” Mathiesen explained. “We’re really just looking for a horse that we can improve, or one that will improve with time. But it can be hard to predict what the market is going to like in a year. Stallions can come in and out of fashion so quickly, so one part of it is doing a lot of research beforehand to predict what’s going to be desirable at the next level.”
While paying attention to pedigrees in both hemispheres, Mathiesen ultimately puts a premium on athletic appearance and potential.
“When I’m going to a sale, the main thing I’m looking for is the physical,” she pointed out. “(There are) some sires that I stay away from, but I can accept things as long as the physical is good enough. I try to stay away from exposed mares--ones that have had a lot of foals that haven’t done much on the track. Other than that, I’m always going back to what the horse looks like.”
In the U.S., Oakmont concentrated on purchasing yearlings for resale as 2-year-olds, with the youngsters being prepped by Pike’s father, respected consignor Al Pike.
“There, we’re looking more for a rangy, two-turn, dirt horse, balanced with a big hip,” Mathiesen explained. “Overall we’ve been pretty good, (although) we did struggle in Australia this year because of when the pandemic hit. In America, we did really well with our pinhooking. We had a really good success rate and got all of them sold.”
Oakmont was able to turn a tidy profit on a first-crop son of Not This Time at a Florida breeze-up sale.
Purchased as a yearling for $30,000, the chestnut colt resold for $200,000 and made an auspicious debut second in a competitive New York maiden.
“He was definitely the type we thought we could improve and he breezed really well at the sale, which is so important,” Mathiesen said.
At the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Oakmont made a bold play, purchasing a daughter of top sire I Am Invincible and the Group 1-placed Antina for $380,000. The gambit didn’t have the immediate payoff for which Mathiesen and Pike had hoped, as the strongly made bay filly was passed in for A$425,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, just shy of her $450,000 reserve. However, she was given the name Fake Love and put into training with Maher and Eustace on behalf of a partnership that includes Mathiesen. Fake Love opened her account in October with a confident win in the $175,000 Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield.
“She’s one that we bought as a weanling and we weren’t able to get her sold (as a yearling) so we decided to race her,” Mathiesen said. “It was quite a performance. Hopefully we can repeat with her in January!”
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$4,200,000
JO MCKINNON
Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice
From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire
But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice
ROBERT FROST
The fires of late 2019-20 burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (186,000 square kilometres), destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and killed at least 34 people.
Nearly three billion terrestrial vertebrates alone – the vast majority being reptiles – were affected and some endangered species were believed to be driven to extinction. At its peak, air quality dropped to hazardous levels in all southern and eastern states. The cost of dealing with the bushfires is expected to exceed the A$4.4 billion of the 2009 Black Saturday fires, and tourism sector revenues fell by more than A$1 billion. However, economists estimated that the Australian bushfires may cost over A$103 billion in property damage and economic losses, making the bushfires Australia’s costliest natural disaster to date. Nearly 80 percent of Australians were affected either directly or indirectly by the bushfires. By 7 January 2020, the smoke had moved approximately 11,000 kilometres across the South Pacific Ocean to Chile and Argentina. As of 2 January 2020, NASA estimated that 306 million tonnes (337 million short tons) of CO2 had been emitted.
The fear, worry and tragic loss caused by the bushfires that raged across eastern Australia last year will be felt by many people for years to come.
Not only were human lives affected by this catastrophic event, animals deeply suffered too.
Sadly, countless native wildlife died and the nation’s horse population was also heavily impacted with some simply unable to escape the burning flames and choking smoke.
Plenty of horses in hard-hit areas did manage to survive though thanks to the heroic efforts of individual people and organisations.
Lance Holberton, who looks after the Magic Millions sales complex in Adelaide, played a big part and helped house and care for more than 100 horses as well as six dogs, two cats and a rabbit.
THE MORPHETTVILLE COMPLEX WAS TURNED INTO A REFUGE FOR HORSES THAT NEEDED A SAFE PLACE TO GO.
In an emotion charged interview on racing.com Lance reflected on the effort;
“The horse fraternity from top to bottom worked together. It just shows the care for the horse. These people love their horses.”
“It’s amazing how the horse industry comes together and these people came together from all different frames of horse life… from the horse that was 32 years old and hadn’t been on a float for 12 years to a $150,000 showstopper. It’s amazing,” he said while fighting back tears.
Right throughout the year Magic Millions has been strongly focussed on providing support for those affected by the bushfires.
More than $1 million was raised, including $100,000 from The Star, Magic Millions and Magic Millions ambassadors.
This initial contribution kick started the fundraising campaign at the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and ran until the final day of the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast.
$100,000 was raised at the Polo by auctioning lunch with Rebel Wilson and another $30,000 was donated through pledges and bucket collections. A silent auction was also held during Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and raised $30,000. Merchandise sales also contributed about $55,000 to the effort.
LIKE THE MAGIC MILLIONS ADELAIDE SALES COMPLEX, ANOTHER PLACE THAT SERVED AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR HORSES DURING THE FIRES WAS AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, WILLINGA PARK, ON THE SOUTH COAST OF NSW.
Surrounded by Meroo and Murramarang national parks, Willinga Park spans 2000 acres with Olympicsized equestrian arenas as well as native gardens with over 11,000 trees.
Terry Snow, who is the chairman of Capital Airport Group and has a holiday home in Bawley Point, had long been planning for a fire event of such magnitude.
“We couldn’t evacuate. It couldn’t be done – we’ve got hundreds of head of cattle, horses and 30 staff,” he said.
“We weren’t naive, we’d been expecting and preparing for years and always engaged a fire consultant. We followed his advice to the letter and were so grateful that we did,” said Terry.
If not for Terry’s initiative to clear land and make the venue as fire proof as possible, the entire township of Bawley Point would have been lost in the fires.
Luckily, Willinga Park itself effectively acted as a fire break for the vulnerable coastal hamlet.
“When the fire got to us, we blocked the fire going to Bawley Point. We could have lost Bawley Point but we didn’t have any flame come on our place except for a little corner. “
“We had none of the devastating fires that the whole coastline had been subjected to because we had put in fire hydrants through the entire front, installed three generators, and we have dams so crews were able to fill up on water from our dams.”
The South Coast provided some of the most frightening and confronting scenes during the fires.
Terry said Willinga Park was blanketed in thick smoke and flames 20 or more metres high could be seen.
Fortunately, people and the valuable livestock on the property safely endured the ordeal.
“We have 220 horses on the place and 400 head of cattle and none stampeded and they just poked about and fitted in with all the heavy smoke.”
Terry says there are now some encouraging signs of recovery around the property.
“A lot of animals died but some trees have showed some signs of regeneration. It will be a long time before we get our native animals back.”
With COVID-19 hitting soon after the fires and the subsequent cancellation of horse events it’s been a hugely challenging year for Willinga Park.
Terry’s plans to develop it into one of the world’s leading equestrian destinations have been stalled but now things are slowly returning to some degree of normality the dream is alive again.
“We have now built the biggest show jumping arena in Australia and we are now building a vet hospital to house our comprehensive embryo transplant program. That’s a big program here. “
“We have some beautiful breeding stock here that we have developed over the last five years.”
Equestrian sport has been far less fortunate than racing in Australia with competitions virtually coming to a complete standstill over the past 12 months.
But, Terry, a great visionary, remains positive about the future for Willinga Park and the ongoing development of horse sport in Australia.
“All we need is clear skies to put more competitions on,” he said.
Time For War-Shadow Grande
$250,000 MAGIC MILLIONS MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
2nd Hulk, 3rd Playthefield
Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr); Jockey: Damien Oliver
Margins: 0.5 length x 0.5 length
Time: 1 minute 9.53 seconds (L600m: 35.50)
$150,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills; Buyer: Roll The Dice Racing
Shamus Award-Pink Siris
$250,000 FRIZELLE SUNSHINE MAGIC MILLIONS OPEN QUALITY HANDCAP (1800m)
2nd Reckless Choice, 3rd Testashadow
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; Jockey: Luke Currie
Margins: 2.5 lengths x 2.7 lengths
Time: 1 minute 48.81 seconds (L600m: 35.11)
$400,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Willow Park Stud; Buyer: Ciaron Maher Racing/Dermot Farrington Bloodstock
Sebring-Classic Quest
$1,000,000 FERRARI MAGIC MILLIONS TROPHY (2400m)
2nd Black On Gold, 3rd A Man To Match
Trainer: John Thompson; Jockey: Glen Boss
Margins: 1.75 lengths x 0.2 length
Time: 2 minutes 28.87 seconds (L600M: 35.94)
$105,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Turangga Farm; Buyer: DGR Thoroughbred Services
Zoustar-Cabernet
$1,000,000 IT’S LIVE! IN QUEENSLAND MAGIC MILLIONS SNIPPETS (1200m)
2nd Isaurian, 3rd Morrissy
Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: James McDonald
Margins: 0.2 length x 2.5 lengths
Time: 1 minute 8.96 seconds (L600M: 34.22)
$310,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud; Buyer: Chris Waller/Mulcaster Bloodstock
I Am Invincible-Abscond
$1,000,000 SKY RACING ACTIVE MAGIC MILLIONS FILLIES & MARES HANDICAP (1300m)
2nd Irithea, 3rd Romani Girl
Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Margins: 0.75 length x 0.75 length
Time: 1 minute 15.95 seconds (L600M: 34.59)
$185,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Sledmere Stud; Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds
Fastnet Rock-Smokin’ Alice
$2,000,000 GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS 3YO GUINEAS RL (1400m)
2nd Exhilarates, 3rd Hightail
Trainer: Gregory Hickman; Jockey: Keagan Latham
Margins: 1.25 lengths x 0.5 length (L600m: 34.96)
Time: 1 minute 20.98 seconds
$230,000 Gold Coat Yearling Sale
Vendor: Edinburgh Park; Buyer: Gregory Hickman
Not a Single Doubt-Suspicieuse
$250,000 GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS 3YO GUINEAS RACING WOMEN’S BONUS
2nd The Executioner, 3rd Howwonderfullifeis
Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: James McDonald
$350,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills
Buyer: Aquis Farm/Ciaron Maher Racing
Snitzel-Elusive Wonder
$2,000,000 THE STAR GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC RL (1200m) (PLUS $500,000 RACING WOMEN’S
2nd Stellar Pauline, 3rd Conceited Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace; Jockey: Luke Currie
Margins: 1.8 lengths x 0.5 length. Time: 1 minute 9.59 seconds (L600m: 35.13)
$425,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Vendor: Mill Park Stud; Buyer: Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock
$1,000,000 PACIFIC FAIR MAGIC MILLIONS CUP RL (1400m)
2nd Redouble, 3rd Sambro
Trainer: Tony Gollan; Jockey: Michael Rodd
Margins: 0.5 length x 1 length
Time: 1 minute 21.57 seconds (L600m: 34.85)
$75,000 Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Stockwell Thoroughbreds (As Agent);
Buyer: John Thompson
$1,000,000 RACING QUEENSLAND MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST QTIS OPEN (1300m)
2nd River Racer, 3rd Ef Troop
Trainer: Tony Gollan; Jockey: James McDonald
Margins: 0.2 length x 0.2 length
Time: 1 minute 16.03 seconds (L600m 34.19)
$210,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Eureka Stud; Buyer: Alan Acton
THE
On the top floor of the curvy, elegant The Darling, high above Broadbeach Island on the Gold Coast, executive chef Uday Huja does his thing. His restaurant is Nineteen at The Star, the sophisticated, sumptuous, destination eatery that opened in 2018 to the top end of town. It’s a beautiful venue, cast straight towards the coastline and finished with plush velvet and gold tones. And, with less than three years of operation behind it, it has become a Gold Coast icon.
Huja arrived in the Nineteen kitchen in August 2019, an old friend of The Star Entertainment Group. He had spent a number of years in Sydney handling the 23 food and beverage outlets in The Star Sydney alone. “It was an easy decision to come up here to Nineteen at The Star,” he says. “It was an opportunity to lead the Gold Coast’s top restaurant, and to evolve it and develop it, and I had a lot of support to do just that.”
Huja is polite and articulate. He comes from Virginia, from the town of Charlottesville that produced three American presidents, but he is Indian by heritage. His childhood was filled with the delightful recipes of Indian cuisine while, outside the home walls, it was all about fried chicken, cornbread and black-eyed beans. A career in professional kitchens didn’t push those roots aside. Huja has been exposed to some of the highest-flying restaurants in the world, but he still loves the spices and flavours of Indian cooking, and he loves to fry chicken.
Nineteen at The Star suits him well. “My style of cooking is not 40 ingredients on a plate,” he says. “Mother Nature has done all the hard work and given us these beautiful products, and my job is to just cook them properly and present them. At Nineteen, our mantra is very clear... great ingredients, simply prepared with finesse. The dish should have one voice, that main ingredient, and everything else is in support of that.”
The Nineteen at The Star menu is surprisingly simple but excellent. High-end Angus and Wagyu, ocean trout and roast Bendele duck. Dishes are tastefully garnished, with plenty of white plate around pickled finishes, spinach cream or lemon butter. It’s a menu that screams quality. But it’s not everything. Huja believes firmly in the dining experience at Nineteen at The Star. To him, it’s not just about the food. He tries to meet each guest that dines in his restaurant, and he is genuine about feedback. Since his arrival, he has introduced culinary tours to the dining room. “Our guests can come up and talk with us in the kitchen,” he says. “They can ask about the grill and the wood we use. We really wanted to break down that wall between the kitchen and the guest, and create opportunities for conversation. I’m someone that will walk out and deliver food to the table, and I talk with the guests about what they’re eating. I try to talk to every table every night I’m there.”
While the duties of an executive chef include product sourcing, menu management, staff and equipment, Huja will regularly work all stations of his kitchen during service. It’s part of that presence that is so important to both him and the Nineteen experience. “I can be found grilling or sautéing, or at the seafood platters or shucking oysters,” he says. “I’m very hands on. And I think you have to be engaged with the operation to make sure you have that great, consistent product.”
Huja has worked in executive positions at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and, in 2009, he cooked for Barack Obama. But it seems like he has settled perfectly on the Gold Coast. He lives in Miami, a little south of Surfers Paradise, is now an Australian citizen with a young family, and enjoys simple things... the beach, a walk with the dogs, cooking at home. But Nineteen at The Star brought a unique angle to his accomplished career. “I’ve never had my kitchen on the nineteenth floor of a five-star hotel,” he says. “That’s a first for me.”
“At Nineteen, our mantra is very clear... great ingredients, simply prepared with finesse. The dish should have one voice, that main ingredient, and everything else is in support of that.”
Tye Angland survived the unthinkable in 2018, but disability hasn’t overtaken him. Two years on from the race fall that changed his life, he talks racing and television, and his penchant for a fine patch of turf.
JESSICA OWERS
Wantabadgery is a little way east of Wagga Wagga, population 187 at the last count, a township tucked into sheep and cattle country. It was here, in 1879, that bushranger Captain Moonlite bailed up the locals and was arrested, an event that resulted in his hanging at Darlinghurst Gaol. For a long time, it was Wantabadgery’s only claim to fame. But then Tye Angland came along.
“I was 12 when we moved from Wagga to Wantabadgery,” Angland says. “Twenty-five acres, a reserve down by the river where we used to take the horses. That was it. We lived a country life in a small country town.”
Tye Angland is 30 years old, with a fine humour and country-boy manners. He left Wantabadgery during school holidays one year, headed to Hawkesbury riding polocrosse, and broke into the Sydney jockey ranks. Young and lean, he spent the next 14 years rising to the top of the Australian riding ranks. Angland was Sydney and state Champion Apprentice, boasting one of the best amateur seasons ever in New South Wales. Overall as a jockey, he pegged 995 winners for 11 group one wins aboard the likes of Black Piranha, Gust Of Wind, Heavens Above, Alverta, Ace High and Trapeze Artist.
It was a life less imagined for Angland, who had spent a childhood dreaming of the bull-riding circuit. “I had always been involved in horse sports,” he says, “but my focus was rodeos, and my dream was to become a champion bull rider. Even when I headed up to
Hawkesbury, I had no idea about racing. I’d been riding polocrosse for New South Wales, and I was spotted by Glenn Frazer, who got me in for an apprenticeship with his brother, trainer Garry Frazer. And that was how the race riding began.”
From the age of 15, Angland was a force in the Sydney jockey room, a natural horseman with a country pedigree and impeccable balance. He started his career at 45 kilograms and, like most, he got taller and heavier. In 2010 he migrated to Hong Kong, where he remained for four successful years. Thereafter he was in Sydney, until a brief return to Hong Kong in December 2018 changed his life forever.
It was the week before the Hong Kong International Races, and Angland had almost completed the card on a Sunday’s racing at Sha Tin. In the ninth race, his mount, gelding Go Beauty Go, stumbled out of the gate and pitched Angland out of the saddle. He admits it was a freak accident, one that he would walk away from nine times out of 10. But that night he didn’t walk away, and he didn’t walk again.
Angland suffered a spinal injury that was both debilitating and life altering. He was flown home to Sydney a fortnight after the fall and has since been on a long road to recovery, with surgeries and rehab now part of his everyday. But he is amazingly stoic. Angland talks about the accident and his injuries in good humour, and enjoys the little people in his life poking at him, asking him if he can feel this or that. “The kids love it,” he says, “they find it interesting. They don’t see it as anything else.”
It’s a credit to Angland that he is positive and pragmatic. “Just before the accident I felt that the last two seasons were really getting a roll on,” he says. “I’d been involved with Trapeze and Ace High, and they were the two standouts of my career and were really getting me going. The TJ Smith with Trapeze was a real highlight for me, if I had to pick one out.” The colt blew past Redzel that day in 2018, only half-an-hour after Angland had lost a protest over the Australian Derby result.
As a four-time group one winner, Trapeze Artist retired to Widden Stud in 2019, winner of over $5.5 million in prizemoney. Some months later, Angland made the long journey to the Widden Valley to visit his old friend, a meeting that resulted in a very famous photograph. “I don’t have any malice towards horses after what happened to me,” Angland says. “It’s just one of those things. We have three children, and sometimes don’t have time to sit down and think things over too much.”
Angland is married to Erin, daughter of trainer Garry Frazer. It was how they met, Angland riding his apprenticeship at Frazer’s Hawkesbury yard, and Erin driving the lithe young jockey to the Saturday races. It was, arguably, an odd pairing. “I’m terrified of horses,” Erin says. “I always have been. I won’t have anything to do with them. Even the day we went to visit Trapeze, I was a nervous wreck.”
Erin is a steady hand and brilliant mind in Angland’s life. She has tackled his medical issues with interest, soaking up the complex biology of his injuries and
medication, and learning as much about them as she can. The couple has three young children, Alexis, Addison and Rylan, and Angland says the kids will grow up with an exceptional respect for difference. “Lexi sees disability now as an everyday thing, and that’s amazing,” he says. “She saw a woman recently with one arm, and a guy who had lost a leg, and it just wasn’t a big deal.”
It’s hard to imagine the Anglands have endured so much (the couple also lost unborn twin girls in May 2014). They are cheerful and upbeat and, even on social channels, Angland is playful. It took the best part of a year for him to return to social media, during which time Erin posted updates on his health and progress to a very interested audience. “The support was overwhelming,” Angland says. “Even now, probably the only thing that gets me emotional was the kindness people showed.”
Within a year of his accident, the former jockey was getting on with things. “I think your mindset is a lot stronger than a set of legs,” he said at the time. Angland teased everyone with claims to a new lawnmowing business, replete with a modified super-mower delivered to him from friends at Country Clipper Australia. “I love my lawns,” Angland says, and Erin admits that he’ll often make her pull over when driving to look at someone’s grass. “I’ve always been a bit of a green thumb, and it was something I really wanted to continue doing, to continue mowing the lawns.”
And he did. Angland formed a relationship with his Sydney builder and cuts the lawns on neighbouring empty blocks. “They even gave me a company shirt,” he says, “but it’s purely a bit of fun.”
In October 2019, only 10 months after his fall and still deep in rehab, Angland debuted on Australian television when he co-hosted Channel 7’s free-to-air coverage on Epsom Day. It was a significant event for the racing industry, a statement of inclusivity that hadn’t been seen before. “Chris Symons came to see me at rehab one day, and slowly mentioned that he’d been talking to Jason Richardson, Bruce McAvaney and Andrew Hore-Lacy at the Channel7 racing team,” Angland recalls. “The seed had been planted, and when the time was right I gave Andrew a call, and that was how it started.”
Angland says he’s no form expert, and that, in the beginning, interviewing was totally different to getting interviewed. But it’s like anything, he says, it takes time to get comfortable in front of the camera. “Bruce had told me, just be yourself, don’t try to be anyone else. So I talk about the jockeys and how the races unfold, and with the relationships I have with the guys in the jockeys’ room, I think they want to build on that.”
Angland’s presence on television is a warm reminder that disability hasn’t stopped ability. “Tye is just an incredible character,” says Tony Crisafi, CEO of the NSW Jockeys’ Association. “He is still a director of the National Jockeys Trust, and he wants to be part of the industry, and still is. The amazing thing is, despite what he’s been through, Tye knows there’s worse off than him, and he’s doing something about that.”
The Anglands have worked consistently on the Team Tye Foundation, a charity they established in the wake of Angland’s accident. It aims to assist seriously injured people across the racing industry, from
ANGLAND HAS HAD EVERY EXCUSE TO STAY OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT, BUT HE HASN’T. HE HAS EARNED THE RIGHT TO FEEL SORRY FOR HIMSELF, BUT HE DOESN’T. “HE’S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT,” ERIN SAYS, “A GLASS HALF-FULL SORT OF PERSON.”
jockeys and track riders to barrier attendants. In late October, the charity received an enormous injection of both fund and focus when Godolphin mare Colette ran first past the post in the rich Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens. The charity share of the win was $410,000 and, because Colette was nominated to run on behalf of the Team Tye Foundation, it proved an immense occasion for the Anglands.
“We were so excited for Tye and Erin,” Crisafi says. “It was a big kick for their foundation, and it will do great things for jockeys. Kolding won the race in 2019 for the National Jockeys Trust, so it was an extra special result again this year. It’s hard, of course, to say that things are meant to happen, but that result for the Team Tye Foundation... it was meant to happen.”
The Anglands might confess to it being a good year, all things considered. They opened 2020 with a visit to
the Magic Millions Carnival in January, an annual event they have rarely missed. Angland has been a loyal and familiar character on the Gold Coast each January, riding in the polo, galloping in the Beach Run and booting home winners on Magic Millions Race Day. In 2017 he clattered home aboard 100/1 shot Flying Jess in the 3YO Guineas, and his visit this year was ambassadorial. “It was a little bittersweet,” he admits, “but it was still good to be there and be among it. The thing with the Magic Millions is that everyone wants to be there, and you feel so welcome.”
Those sentiments were returned to the Anglands in May 2018 when leading stud farms in Australia donated eight stallion nominations to the family. Each was auctioned in the Magic Millions auditorium, raising over $283,000 for Angland’s rehabilitation. At the time, only six months on from the accident, Erin
admitted it was difficult to be positive some days. “To have moments and people behind us like this is incredible,” she said.
Angland has had every excuse to stay out of the spotlight, but he hasn’t. He has earned the right to feel sorry for himself, but he doesn’t. “He’s always been like that,” Erin says, “a glass half-full sort of person.”
The former jockey chuckles about turning down the ride on Winx in the 2015 Theo Marks, saying that’s just how it goes in this game, and he admits he is easily distracted, but spent time this year training a young Macaw to free-fly.
He won’t be defined by bad luck, or spend too much time thinking about it. In short, Tye Angland is a character, a man of good grace and good grass.
Steve and Eliza Grant’s Silverdale Farm is looking forward to the 2021 Magic Millions January Yearling Sale with a heightened sense of excitement.
ANDREW REICHARD
STEVE GRANT IS NO NEOPHYTE IN THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY, HIS INVOLVEMENT GOES BACK TO THE MID 1980S, BUT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT HE AND ELIZA WILL BE OFFERING A DRAFT OF YEARLINGS AT A MAJOR SALE UNDER THEIR OWN BANNER.
It’s both a new beginning and the culmination of a long and exciting journey in the commercial thoroughbred industry made possibly by Steve Grant’s successful business career. His early days were spent
as a leading macadamia farmer, with holdings in NSW, Qld and South Africa. Steve then moved into property development, notable for the redevelopment and revitalisation of Sydney’s NorWest business park which saw many major companies move their headquarters from inner Sydney out to the Hills district. Along the way Steve picked up many business awards which recognised his contribution to the State and the Region.
Steve’s expertise was put to good use during a nearly three year term as an ATC director during which he advised on various property issues relating to the light rail project adjoining Randwick racecourse. Since leaving the board, he has been retained by the ATC to complete an inspection of all their sites to provide a report on animal welfare issues relating to each location. “I remain on great terms with the ATC and I’m always ready to assist with whatever may be required” he said recently. He is also currently working on his pet project, whish is to organise funding for a Thoroughbred Training Centre in western Sydney, one which focuses on industry participants as well as horses.
“I would love to see the industry create a Centre Of Excellence where career pathways could be provided to facilitate the careers of young men and women who are integral to the overall success of our industry”
Over this period of success in business Steve has been guided by his passion for thoroughbreds, starting off slowly, putting a toe in the water around 1985 with Louis Mihalyka’s Laurel Oak syndicates and gradually expanding his involvement to where it sits today.
“I realised early on that this is a capital intensive business and that to be successful in the way I envisaged, the top end of the commercial market was where it was advisable to be involved. In order to spread the risk, my aim was initially to own a third of say 15 horses rather than just five on my own. As the number of horses grew, with the cost of the best stock also rising to the point where many of the horses we are now involved in have a median price of half a million, this policy is serving me well!
Early on in the piece, Steve struck up a firm friendship with another business couple, Ken and Maree
After much searching, I settled on a couple of adjoining properties at Avoca in the fertile NSW Southern Highlands.
Lowe and they decided to go halves in most of their thoroughbred investments together. Over the years they have become significant shareholders in the Newgate colts syndicates, in Chris Waller’s Harras syndicates and they remain loyal supporters of Laurel Oak Thoroughbreds. They have also purchased broodmares and various other stock together, the relationship has stood the test of time.
As almost inevitably happens with investment on this scale, Steve found he had an increasing number of well bred fillies and mares retiring off the track, so once again he and Ken commenced a commercial breeding operation, the resulting yearlings being offered on their behalf by various associates in their drafts.
At this point the idea of owning his own boutique farm loomed large in Steve’s mind, and I’ll let him take up the story.
“The logical next step for us was to own our own farm, and although most of our thoroughbreds are in a 50/50 partnership with the Lowes, Eliza and I always dreamed of establishing our own farm. After much searching, I settled on a couple of adjoining properties at Avoca in the fertile NSW Southern Highlands. We have since added two more neighbouring properties to increase the holding to about 270 acres.
Over the past two years we’ve built new barns and maintenance facilities, upgraded the existing infrastructure, installed new fencing, done extensive drainage and landscaping, all to the highest standards we could achieve. Lots of the ideas we based on were cherry picked from the best designs I’ve seen while touring the world’s leading stud farms and training facilities over the years and I’ve added my own ideas trying to incorporate the best tips I’ve picked up during a long career in building and development.
No matter how good our facilities are, you’re only as good as your key people and I’m delighted to have vastly experienced Rob Petith as general manager with the brilliant Jenny Sassier as farm manager, she’s been here all the way along.”
If you get a chance to visit Silverdale, you will appreciate that Steve has been quite conservative in his description, the farm can best be described as a showplace, but one that reflects the knowledge of its chief architect and one that’s designed with the health and safety of its thoroughbred inhabitants as the key feature of its design.
Those of my vintage, I trust there are many of you, will recall the earlier days of the NSW Southern Highlands where stallions such as Dorica Star stood, where Richard Turnley bred and stood Golden Slipper sire Victory Prince and where Peter Stewart and Brigitte Woodford-Smith bred Melbourne Cup winner Just A Dash. It wasn’t the height of fashion in those earlier years, but things have certainly changed over recent times. Several of Australia’s leading owner breeders have established high quality operations there: starting with Dato Tan Chin Nam’s Think Big Stud which is now Lime Country Thoroughbreds operated by Greg and Jo Griffin; Ray Willis’s Rheinwood Pastoral Co; John Muir’s Milburn Creek, Woodpark Stud, Paul Fudge’s Waratah Thoroughbreds and Ricky Surace’s B2B, just to name a few. Rob and Gai Waterhouse’s beautiful “Fiorente” is a recent acquisition located in the same area.
There is nothing more satisfying in the thoroughbred industry than breeding a winner, except perhaps having your judgement vindicated by achieving good prices in the sale ring along the way. Both are hard to do, but Steve Grant has his sights firmly set on achieving this goal.
“Silverdale
has been developed with the love of the horse at the forefront of our thinking.
WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE FOR THE HORSES, WE WANT TO BREED GR.1 WINNERS, HIGH CLASS STAKES WINNERS, AND WE FEEL IF WE CAN GET IT RIGHT THEN SALE PRICES WILL HELP TO PAY OUR WAY.
I’ve been very fortunate to have had wonderful help from my neighbours Greg and Jo Griffin at Lime Country and John Muir and Scott Holcombe at Milburn Creek with selling our yearlings before this farm, I can’t thank them enough.
Now, it’s an exciting new challenge for Silverdale as the first sale of the year at Magic Millions on the beautiful Gold Coast is always a big event in our calendar year. What will the market be like, how do the yearlings by new sires shape up, and it’s a chance to catch up with all our friends in the industry.
This year will be extra special, Eliza and I have those well known butterflies in our stomachs as we embark on what quite is new for us, selling from our own farm. But it’s a healthy nervousness I’m sure our team and the five top quality yearlings will do us proud.”
AFTER A DECADE OF UNFULFILLED PROMISES, THE GOLD COAST TURF CLUB WAS FINALLY GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT BY GOVERNMENT IN OCTOBER FOR A $38MILLION PROJECT THAT WILL ALLOW THE CLUB TO ENACT A VISION TO TRANSFORM AND SPECTACULARLY LIFT THE RACETRACK PRECINCT, AS WELL AS PROVIDE NEW AND FUTURE TRAINERS THE FACILITIES THEY HAVE LONG DESIRED.
INTERSTATE and international visitors are well versed with the Gold Coast Turf Club and its spectacular skyline view from annual visits to the January Magic Millions sales. But the familiar view across the road from the sale grounds is set to change dramatically over the next few years, thanks to a Queensland state government announcement on the eve of the 2020 election.
The commitment to funding, which had been made several times prior, but never come to fruition, will enable the GCTC to provide better facilities for their trainers in tandem with unlocking a master plan that includes a Hotel and residential developments and potentially, a Happy Valley style infield at the track, which stares back to the famous Gold Coast skyline.
It also may mean the Magic Millions is one day run under lights, as Racing Queensland surges ahead with its plan to develop an internationally renowned night racing circuit.
The Gold Coast is already home to some 500 horses in training, but trainers have long yearned for better facilities, with tired training tracks hampering their best efforts and in turn stalling potentially welcoming other stables
from interstate. At the same time, punters have desperately sought an upgrade to the course proper, as have GCTC officials in their bid to host more metropolitan race meetings.
Then Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe committed $31.5Million of funds from the Racing Infrastructure Fund, in addition to $1.5M from Racing Queensland and an additional $5M from the GCTC to build an all-weather synthetic track, a full refurbishment of the racing surfaces, lights and the construction of a tunnel to the infield.
GCTC Chief Executive Steve Lines said the project will put the Gold Coast on the map as a world class facility and racing surface and with the tandem development of the Traintech complex to enable bigger horse numbers, the precinct will become more desirable for more trainers.
“A lot of trainers want to set up satellites from down south. Once we get this done a lot more people will come from down south,” Lines said. “That means improved quality of horses and improved quality of racing. We don’t hide behind the fact we see ourselves as the next metro club. That’s about us growing up and having the facility we want it to be. We’re a profitable organisation
and this further enhances the business becoming more self-sustaining. It will be something where people can come and enjoy an experience they can’t get at the moment. The facilities will be something the punter will really be able to enjoy.”
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said the upgraded facilities at the venue will add another dimension to sales around the year. “The Gold Coast is very important to Magic Millions and for the racetrack to reflect that and showcase it to our buyers and vendors is an exciting prospect,” he said. “To be able to repay the support they give us with a facility in the calibre of what’s been indicated is something to really look forward to. It is home to Queensland’s biggest raceday of the year and we’re excited by the prospect of having an upgraded training and racing facility that meets the standard of horse that races not just on that day, but for everyone else around the year.”
The lights also bring the option of a Magic Millions raceday being run at night, with the backdrop of the glitter strip lights showcased to the world. “The prospect of a night Magic Millions is something we would definitely consider when the time is right,” Bowditch said.
GCTC Chairman Brett Cook said trainers had been “more than patient” and the announcement was finally a win for their years of standing by the club. “There was some volatility three years ago because of the stop start nature of the project and that’s very understandable,” he said. “But they have also been prepared to help lobby government and without their help doing that, I don’t think we would have been able to achieve it. They were very instrumental in getting it over the line.”
Locals like Toby Edmonds and Gillian Heinrich were vocal over a long period of time and in recent years, Chris Waller also played a key role as his Gold Coast satellite stable grew. Waller made an impassioned plea to government in September to give the goahead to the project, noting facilities did not measure up to standard. “Gold Coast is just a great place. It has the location, climate and it’s such a vibrant city. It deserves a better racetrack,” he said.
Cook reiterated Lines’ belief that when the training tracks are brought up to standard, it will pave the way for other southern trainers to look at the Coast as an option. “Interstate and overseas trainers have been telling us for some time they want to relocate to the Gold Coast,” he said. “It will only be better for racing
in the state if we can attract that calibre of trainer and that will bring more owners into the area as well.”
Trent Edmonds and his father Toby have prepared feature race winners right down the eastern seaboard from their Gold Coast base, but believe the proposed enhancements to training facilities will open up even more opportunities. “It’s been something we’ve all been wanting and have been desperate for the last 10 years,” Trent Edmonds said. “The promises have been made the last 10 years, so we’re not getting our hopes up until the first sod has been turned. But it’s something that is desperately needed. We feel we have done a good job competing Australia wide through carnivals with our better quality horses given our training facilities have probably been the poor cousin for a good while. To be catching up with the rest of Australia, with a synthetic training track and complete overhaul, it’s going to mean the world to all of us down here. It will help us get horses fitter and keep them sounder, which means they can race for longer. It’s all a positive.”
The course proper itself will be revitalised, expanded to be 28 metres wide, given a much needed facelift and have some of the ‘kinks’ that punters currently aren’t fond of, ironed out.
“We’ve been copping backlash for over a decade about on track bias, the dog leg. All that will be fixed up under the new works,” Cook said.
Cook has been on the GCTC board since 2007, the last nine as Chairman. He orchestrated a constitutional change to the club in 2014, so he could stay at the helm long enough to ensure those previous unfulfilled commitments came through. “In my first two years as Chairman we had two Racing Queensland boards, a change of government, three Racing Queensland Chairmen and a lot of disruption to the industry,” he said. “The club thought it was important I stay in that role (for stability). Infrastructure had been the key area for this race club for well over a decade before my time. It was knocked on the head in 2014. So from that date to now, it has been something we have worked very hard at getting over the line. My key goal was to fix the training tracks, have a licensed club off site and on course accommodation to go hand in hand with the events centre we had built. We have shown a commercial trading profit the last two years. Racing Queensland wants clubs to be self-sufficient and there’s no doubt this (Master Plan) will make that a reality. By doing this first stage, it opens up two things; the training tracks, which everyone knows is critical, and the tunnel to the inside of the course
proper, which opens up the opportunity for us to implement our master plan and develop the whole precinct in conjunction with other stake holders, including Magic Millions and local property owners.”
The Master Plan, which Cook says is a “seven to 10 year project in a perfect world,” includes provision for a residential precinct and a 150 room Hotel and Tavern facility to provide onsite accommodation options for visitors.
With the tunnels included in the $38M funds, it opens up the opportunity to maximise the use of the infield, where one proposal is for a recreational lagoon, offering “the allure of beach life” and activities and events that would make it a catalyst for new revenue streams.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHTS WILL MAKE THE GOLD COAST QUEENSLAND’S THIRD ‘NIGHT’ VENUE AND RQ CHAIRMAN STEVE WILSON HAS LONG MADE IT CLEAR HE FEELS IT IS THE PERFECT DESTINATION TO SHOWCASE QUEENSLAND RACING TO THE WORLD IN THE VALUABLE EVENING WAGERING SPACE.
Cook said that while night racing is an exciting new frontier for the Coast, it is also important to preserve the cornerstone of what the club has been built on. “We understand how important night racing is to the Queensland industry and we support Racing Queensland’s policy on trying to increase more night racing,” Cook said. “But we have to be considerate of our local trainers and jockeys of how many times we race on a Friday night and we need to make sure it doesn’t have a detrimental commercial impact on the club. It needs to be balanced. We don’t want to race more. We in fact have no problem racing less as an overall number, but just have to be a bit smarter as to when we do race. We want to work in with our sister club Beaudesert, so that when we race Fridays our members have somewhere to go on a Saturday.”
With over $10M+ in QTIS prizemoney bonuses across all of Queensland all year, $1.6M+ Jewel Raceday and the $1M QTIS Open on Gold Coast Magic Millions Day, there’s never been a more rewarding time for owners to ‘Breed Queensland, Race Queensland’.
Also, QTIS registered winners of all Black Type and selected Feature races now take home an additional QTISx bonus.
“THE STALLION” WROTE LEGENDARY ARGENTINIAN HORSEMAN ALEJANDRO LILIENFELD, “IS THE SOUL OF THE STUD.”
“Mares and female families are very important, yes; but it is for their stallions that most studs will ultimately be remembered.”
Yarraman Park, home of I Am Invincible, would surely not disagree. Nor Widden, for that matter, made famous by champion sires from Star Kingdom through Vain, Bletchingly, and Marscay, hopes now pinned on exciting young sire Zoustar.
Coolmore Australia currently rests on foundations laid by Danehill, Encosta de Lago and Fastnet Rock while Arrowfield Stud will forever be synonymous with Redoute’s Choice and his sire sons Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt.
Vinery Australia’s and Godolphin Australia’a legacies are intertwined with stallions like More Than Ready, Lonhro and Exceed And Excel respectively.
Kia Ora Stud, breeder of Exceed And Excel, was home one hundred years ago to leading sire Magpie, whose most famous sons were Windbag and Amounis. Kia Ora in the mid-1900s also stood champion sires Midstream (Shannon, Delta and Hydrogen) and Delville Wood.
This Scone landmark, famous too for the winners of 15 Derbys, seven Melbourne Cups and five Cox Plates, has a history as rich as any in Australia, whether measured by champion sires, quality yearling sale consignments or elite racetrack performers.
And it this this history of champion sires that Kia Ora, already significantly invested in local sires like All Too Hard, Headwater and Press Statement, aims to revive with its recent acquisition of headline young stallion prospects, Magic Millions graduates Farnan and Prague.
“FARNAN IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT YOUNG STALLION THAT WILL RETIRE TO STUD FOR THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN BREEDING SEASON,”
- Maintains Kia Ora consultant Michael Kirwan, currently overseeing the establishment of a resident stallion complex at the picturesque Scone property.
“Not only did he win Australia’s most important sire-making race, the Golden Slipper, on his way to Champion Juvenile honours but he is also the most precocious, best and fastest two-year-old colt by sire-sensation Not a Single Doubt, sire also of probably the world’s best sprinter in The Everest winner Classique Legend.”
Aquis Farm Managing Director Shane McGrath is equally enthusiastic about the prospects of Farnan, in whose stud career original owners Aquis and Phoenix Thoroughbreds have retained a significant interest.
“He is the sort of horse everyone dreams about,” said McGrath. “He was as dominant a two-year-old as we’ve seen for many a year, the best young colt by a leading sire-son of the southern hemisphere’s best sire-of-sires in Redoute’s Choice. There won’t be a first-season sire at stud next season with anywhere near his combination of precocity, speed and class.”
Nor is the team at Kia Ora any less excited about the stud’s acquisition of Prague, winner at two of both the Canonbury and Pago Pago Stakes and runner-up to dual Group One winner King’s Legacy in the Sires Produce Stakes.
“PRAGUE IS AS GOOD-LOOKING A STALLION PROSPECT AS YOU’D WISH,”
- Commented Kia Ora Stud Manager Shane Wright. “He cost $1.6 million as a yearling and you can see why – he has size, scope and strength and a great action too.”
“He won two Golden Slipper lead-ups and actually beat King’s Legacy home in the Slipper itself. And in the Sires’ Produce, the combination of a heavy track and possibly committing a little early saw him caught close home after looking all over the winner halfway down the straight.”
Kirwan agrees. “Prague was the highest-priced yearling and one of the two best two-year-olds of his year by Redoute’s Choice, who already boasts a number of champion siresons in Snitzel, Not A Single Doubt and Stratum. He will be a perfect barn-mate for Farnan and one couldn’t imagine kickstarting Kia Ora’s new stallion complex with any two more exciting young sire prospects.”
Clearly palpable is the energy and enthusiasm that the acquisition of Farnan and Prague has inspired in the team at modern-day Kia Ora, breeder of such stellar performers as Exceed And Excel, international champion Igugu and exciting young three-year-old sprinter Wild Ruler and consigner from its relatively small, select drafts of some seven million-dollar yearlings in the eight sales seasons from 2013 to 2020.
And there is much anticipation on-farm of the upcoming round of 2021 yearling sales, beginning with a strong consignment of Magic Milllions yearlings, headed by the full sister to star sprinter Loving Gaby.
Out of Group One Goodwood winner Velocitea’s half sister Maastricht, herself runner-up in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes, this dark-hued I Am Invincible yearling filly sells as lot 500 and carries the team’s hopes that the famed nursery may have in its draft yet another ‘million-dollar baby’.
“That’s up to the buyers but she certainly looks a million dollars,” quipped stud manager Shane Wright. “She is really athletic but also offers the sort of looks and pedigree that will make her a pearl of great price for many years to come in the breeding barn, whatever she does on the racetrack.”
Very much the same could be said of the draft’s three fillies by USA Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, himself a leading young two-year-old turf sire of Group One winners, proven in England, Ireland, France, America and Japan.
One of those fillies, indeed, is out of More Than Ready mare More Than Real, herself a Breeders’ Cup winner of the Juvenile Fillies Turf race.
“NEVER BEFORE IN AUSTRALIAN SALES HISTORY HAS ANY STUD OFFERED A FILLY BY A BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER OUT OF A BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER,”
- Observed Shane Wright. This filly’s full brother is in training with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, who by all accounts have a high opinion of his ability.”
Another of the American Pharoah fillies is out of She’s a Fox, Listed stakes-winning full sister to Group One winner and Group One sire Foxwedge, while the third is a daughter of multiple USA stakes-winning Dehere mare Decelerator, whose daughter Nafaayes is already a Group Two winner and Group One placed in South Africa.
“Our American Pharoah colt is also a stand-out,” advises Wright. “He’s a really eye-catching individual out of USA Grade Three winner Ashley’s Kitty, a Tale of the Cat halfsister to Grade One winner and Coolmore sire Cupid.”
“He and the Zoustar colt out of USA Grade One-winning two-year-old Mani Bhavan are my idea of outstanding colts and right up there with the I Am Invincible colt out of Villa Verde.”
Last-named, of course, is out of a Not a Single Doubt filly who was once an early Golden Slipper favourite – a speedster who won the Group Two Challenge Stakes and placed in the Group One Galaxy. Villa Verde is also a three-parts sister to exciting young three-year-old Doubtland, winner this season of the Group Two Danehill Stakes.
Speed, from the best of Australian and American influences, appears very much a feature of the modernday Kia Ora mindset. And speed is certainly the essence of the stud’s new stallion acquisitions.
Given that speed is so essential a feature of the Australian racing and breeding landscape, Kia Ora’s future looks brighter than ever.
Australasian racing has some seriously high achieving women in its ranks, and, no doubt inspired by the trailblazers before them, there are some rising female stars making their presence felt.
Never before has it been a better time for women to strive and thrive in the racing and breeding industry.
Jo McKinnon caught up with New Zealand owner and breeder Jo Lindsay, Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ Jo Griffin, newly licensed Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham and TV broadcaster Brittany Taylor who all shared some invaluable insights into their journeys so far.
Brittany Taylor has been a welcome addition to the Sky Racing presenting team for its coverage of all the thoroughbred action in Western Australia and in the Spring of 2019 she made her debut on Channel Ten’s Melbourne Cup week broadcasts performing interviews from horse back.
Brittany is a horsewoman through and through and comes from a strong racing pedigree. Her grandmother Lois Taylor was a trail blazer for women in the West becoming the first licensed trainer there.
Brittany you come from a really hands on racing background don’t you?
“My dad, Jim, is currently a trainer and my grandmother was a trainer so I was born into the industry. I have been working for dad since I was 12. He said to me if I wanted to earn some pocket money I had to work every Sunday. Then I went and rode track work for him and I loved it so much I never left and am still riding work for him.
Every morning I ride. It can be a tight turnaround sometimes when I am jumping off the last horse to run inside and have a shower and make myself presentable for the races. They can be long days when you are finishing up at Ascot. I usually ride 8-10 horse each morning.”
How did your media opportunities come about?
“I went to Uni and did a Bachelor of Commerce and majored in PR and journalism. As a kid I always wanted to be on camera and always wanted to do documentaries and did voice overs pretending I was on the news. I always wanted to do that sort of thing, I was that sort of annoying child.
I was first offered an opportunity with TAB Radio to do an hour on a Monday doing a segment as a contributor and on TAB Touch doing interviews behind the scenes. My motto is to always say yes to every opportunity because you never know how that will lead to the next one. The harder you work the luckier you get. So, from there everything snowballed. I was so nervous on radio and I thought I can’t do this. It got easier and easier and became second nature and from there I got offered to do Sky Racing Thoroughbred Central at Kalgoorlie.
Being on Sky led to the Channel Ten Melbourne Cup coverage and various other ambassador roles including WA Magic Millions Racing Women. It’s come a long way.”
How are you enjoying the Channel Ten Role ?
“It’s really good. It’s a lot of pressure and hard work especially with the horse back role. There’s so much research beforehand you are essentially preparing for 40 races in one week. You can’t have any notes out there on the horse and it has to be all locked up in the brain and you have to listen to the call only. It was an overwhelming experience but a lot of fun.”
What’s been the most satisfying moment for you so far in the broadcasting space?
“I think completing that first Melbourne Cup Carnival. It was a really big challenge. I had been doing the role in Perth for a long time but they are people you have grown up with and I know the Perth landscape and jockeys and horses like the back of my hand. But when you go to the big pond it’s a challenge and a massive week where there are a lot of eyeballs and you are new. I was lucky Damien Oliver who is originally from WA helped and introduced me and told them to be nice to me.”
How do you think women are positioned these days in the racing industry and how much did your grandmother positively influence your journey ?
“I think we have come a long long way. When my grandmother was first trying to forge her path they told her a woman would never get a trainer’s license. They said never, never, never and they were the three words they told her and she kept fighting until she could and she became the first female trainer in WA.
She had a nice team of horses and plenty of winners and my dad was apprenticed to her at the age of 14. She still works in the stables making feeds. She’s 86 this year and still got her finger on the pulse of everything happening in the stable.
I am so aware of the fact if it wasn’t for women like her I would not have the job I have today and it’s something I have always been really grateful for. To be honest, I haven’t felt that sort of prejudice. I consider myself lucky not to have. I have never felt that I can’t do something because I am a woman. I’m lucky I grew up in this era. The generation before me would have felt that stigma.”
What are your long term aspirations?
“My biggest thing I think is that I want to make an impact. I have been to a few funerals this year of people in racing and it’s amazing when you listen to the eulogies and the impact they have had on people. That’s what I want to be, someone that’s made a mark.
I want to be able to be the best broadcaster I can and play a part in telling people’s stories. Every connection has a story to tell. I am also really passionate about bringing people into the industry. I have a few roles in the ambassador space including showing new owners behind the scenes from the moment of purchase. I do school tours and take horses out to schools and let them touch the horses and ask questions.
In all of those different areas I would like to keep being as diverse as I can and continue to make an impact on others and keep owning and breeding horses and have a few little missions like that to try and get myself a champion.”
Do you own many horses at the moment?
“I would not be able to count how many I have owned. I think I own a part of eight at the moment. I had the best introduction to it when I got a share in a horse for my 18th birthday and in his first 13 starts he never ran out of money and I thought how easy is this. Every year I try and buy a share in three yearlings.”
You obviously really love horses?
“They are the best, it’s so hard to put into words exactly why. It’s impossible to be sad on the back of a horse. They all have their own personalities. It’s my favourite time of year when yearlings come into the stable and learning about them and each of their quirks and their likes and dislikes. They are like humans really and all have little personalities.
“They are the most beautiful majestic animals.”
Annabel Neasham is taking the Australian training ranks by storm and looks destined for plenty of success on the racetrack in 2021.
We caught up with her to learn more about her background and love of the horse.
What was your background before you came to Australia?
“Both my parents were horsey but had given up horses once they got married and had us kids.
I was begging them to buy me a pony when I was six so for my seventh birthday, I got my first pony (Buttons) which was lent to us from someone in the village and it was an absolute sh*t of a thing. I think they thought I would give up quite quickly but if anything, it made me more determined.
From thereon I was mad about it. I didn’t get into racing until I was about 20 and until then did show jumping, hunting and evented fulltime for a year.
Doing all that is a pretty good basis in terms of horsemanship. Knowing horses brings a slightly different angle to training.”
How did the Australian leg of the journey in your life come about?
“I went to Uni with a guy called Tom Ward who is one of my great mates. As soon as he finished, he came straight out here (to Australia) and was assistant to John O’Shea when he first moved to Godolphin.
He was here for three years and he said you really should give it a go over there. He said John will make you cry so go to Gai. She’s probably tougher than John and so he got me a job with Gai.
I came for a year to get an assistant trainer job back home but 4 1/2 years later I’m still here.”
The opportunity with Ciaron Maher really took you to another level with your Australian experience would it be fair to say?
“Definitely. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time with Ciaron. He had about 80 in work when I first started with him but was growing in size rapidly. I was fortunate to be involved in every aspect.
I started out selling shares in the horses that he had bought. He was going pretty hard at the sales specking horses and I was riding out track work every day and clocking horses. The real turning point was when Dave Eustace went back home for a month’s holiday so I ended up filling in for him doing what he did each day with the work lists. That month getting stuck in and being in the tower every morning was when I said to Ciaron this is what I want to do.
When we were at the sales his travelling foreman Lucy got kicked and broke her leg. I ended up staying in that role for three months and then I went to Queensland. When he opened Sydney, I begged him to send me up there.”
Being exposed to that type of responsibility would have given you a serious taste of what it would be like to run your own show?
“Yes, we started the stable up from scratch. I was on the phone to Ciaron the whole time but essentially you are left to your own devices a little bit and he said make it your own. I found the boxes at Warwick Farm and then it was a case of building the stable and finding staff and that’s the hardest part, finding them and keeping them, so I learned a bit about that. I was also doing the communications and still doing a bit of selling and the work lists and working with Ciaron in terms of nominations and acceptances.
I think it was really good to start from scratch because it gave me the ins and outs of the business side of it.”
How soon into that journey did you think this is what I want to do on my own?
“I think that gave me a lot of confidence. I don’t think it’s ever an easy time to make that decision. I hadn’t been thinking about it long but the opportunity of getting boxes came about and it’s so hard to get boxes in Sydney at a metro track and I was keen. I wanted to train in the city to attract the right owners and there was an opportunity for fresh blood. There are quite a few young trainers but there’s always room for another one so I ended up making the leap of faith.”
How have you enjoyed the journey so far?
Having a winner from the get go would be a good tonic but how it is now that being the new kid on bock is wearing off and you have to fill those boxes and look to the future and achieving your goals?
“You can’t rest on your laurels. You have to keep moving forward in this game. I think I am going to be fairly aggressive at the sales. You have got to be bold without being silly. I think really having a good bloodstock team is nearly as important as anything else because it allows you to buy horses and get them sold and you need to have the product there for people to buy into it with you.
It’s not much different to what I was doing with Ciaron. My life hasn’t really changed other than it’s my own name on the door.”
Who are you going to be working with bloodstock wise?
“I want to find someone that can be a racing and bloodstock manager. They are not easy to find. Lizzie Jelfs from Sky has been a great help and always messaging me to say look up this horse or that horse. She has sent a few people my way to buy shares. She’s been a great support.”
What is your ultimate aim or ambition with training? Is the plan to stay in Australia long term, and if so, what would be some of the short, and long term, goals you have?
“I think definitely Australia is home now. It’s tricky at the moment (with COVID-19) not being able to see my family. I haven’t seen my family for a year and who knows it may be another year. It’s tough but my parents saw it’s a better lifestyle here in racing than back home.
I hope I can cement myself as a top ten trainer in the next five years in Sydney and get Group 1s. I don’t mind which ones…a Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper, Cox Plate. I don’t mind which one.”
In a reasonably short period of time, Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ Jo Griffin has made her presence felt in the Australian breeding industry.
Three years ago, the New Zealander and her husband Greg made the move to what was formerly Think Big Stud in the NSW Southern Highlands. Together they set up a business specialising in everything from sales preparation to pre-training, and she says, the biggest punt of her life is paying decent dividends.
Jo, how did your career begin in racing and breeding?
“I didn’t come from a racing background at all. It was sport horses, eventing and showjumping. I worked for two of our Olympic showjumpers in New Zealand straight after I finished school.
I then went back to university in my early 20s and added a marketing degree. I didn’t finish that. My dad was a very good businessman and I went and worked with him for a number of years. I worked my way up through various jobs to a national marketing role with the Disney Warner company in NZ and that led to a role with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
When we did polo we started buying mares when we were overseas and I was looking for passive income especially when I was pregnant. It’s good to have a broodmare earning money when you are potentially breeding yourself. I bought my first broodmare when Georgia (daughter) was in my belly.”
When did the big move to Australia happen?
“Valentine’s Day 2017. People always think we have been here longer but it was three years in February.”
What prompted you to take the step?
“Greg’s last heart surgery was big and ugly. That was his third lot of open-heart surgery.
The last one was a biggie and there are no more fix-its out of that so I thought about future-proofing and what we would do if something happens to him. The idea was to get bigger and go go go and become big enough so that if anything happened to either of us the other one would still be fine, as morbid as that sounds, within the industry.
We looked everywhere for a place. I have a British passport so we looked at the UK, Australia and the Waikato. NSW was the best, most open and vibrant place we could go and it just so happened that there was a prime property available.
Think Big was not even up for lease so it was very covert trying to pull that deal off and get it done without people in New Zealand sharing the word of it or people over here and potentially approaching Think Big and taking the farm before we could get up and running.
We have been very lucky with Duncan Ramage. He’s been a great ally and has always worked with great integrity for the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam family and a great advocate for us within the industry.”
You certainly seem to have been able to establish a successful business in that time?
“Everything was laid out beautifully with a lot of thought and by horsemen. You could tell Duncan and Bart had a considerable say. Everything works beautifully without being super flashy. It has beautiful trees and hedges and I feel like they have spent money on pasture and fencing and everything important for safe and happy horses.”
Describe where Lime Country is at now and the areas you are specialising in?
“I think we are very good at bringing people together and into partnerships and I really like doing business with those I know, like, and trust. When we have clients like that around us, business is a lot more enjoyable and easier. We have done more and more partnerships. We spent over $600,000 at mare and foal sales in Australia this year with clients on the farm. It spreads our risk and theirs and gives everyone a chance for upside and plenty of fun getting together seeing the stock coming to the farm and going to sales. It allows people to dabble into something without the risk of spending $100,000 or $200,000 on a foal.
We will probably do more of that and next year I see us doing that on a bigger scale with mares and foals again.”
What about sales preparation?
“It’s a big part of our business. Most of our draft is always owned by clients. Very rarely would we have yearlings we own in the draft.
This year we will be selling for more new clients which is exciting. Jamieson Park who are based in New Zealand we get on with really well. They are a really good farm and sent over two I Am Invincibles, a Pierro and a Savabeel. It’s nice to be doing business with them. So far Magic Millions has been our highestpriced horse. In 2019 we sold a mare for $900,000 and this year we got to $950,000 for a yearling for Makybe. 2021 has to be the million dollar year. We are getting ever closer by $50,000 bids.”
What’s been the most satisfying outcome you have had since starting Lime Country Thoroughbreds in Australia?
“It was a huge thrill getting $950,000 for the colt for Makybe last year. We had only sold for two years previously. They breed a lot of good stock and Tony Santic is very easy to deal with. We had some fantastic horses that year and it was nice he had the top priced one.
We are also proud of our sell-through rate. We offered 44 yearlings last year and sold 42. I like when the chat around the grounds is that Lime Country has a good draft or somebody else says to you they heard you had a good draft.”
Your marketing skill has come to the fore with the branding of Lime Country. You have built a good vibe around the brand. Where did the name come from?
“In the Hawkes Bay where we were was the oldest registered stud farm in New Zealand, it’s strong lime country with lots of limestone. The brand was too strong to leave behind at home and start again.
In the logo, there is a four-leafed clover at the top which is a nod to Greg’s Irish heritage and luck and how we first begun by breaking in and pre-training so we added the snaffle bit. There’s also the original driveway lined with oak trees so we added the acorn.”
Have you found there to be any challenges in the Thoroughbred breeding industry as a woman?
“I think you are as good as you are. I don’t even think you have to be better than a man to be half as well respected. I think if you are good enough you get the kudos.
Your daughter Georgia is heavily involved in the business, how’s she going?
“She’s doing a bachelor of commerce majoring in international business. I can’t see her doing anything outside of the industry at this stage. She’s mad for it. She’s the biggest punter in the house and she does alright with her multiple accounts and her Saturday sabbath in front of the TV if she’s not working. She’s always on phone to clients getting what’s running and tips.”
What are your plans moving forward? Do you plan to stay in Australia for the long haul?
“There’s nowhere else we would rather be and with COVID that’s hit home even more.
There’s nowhere else in the world like it is here with the racing industry. We are so lucky to be here.”
At the yearling sales and races across the world owner/breeders Jo and Brendan Lindsay are inseparable.
Together they have sixty racehorses in training and are now taking New Zealand’s iconic Cambridge Stud on an exciting journey into the future.
After selling their plastics company (Sistema) for a considerable amount of money they purchased Cambridge Stud three years ago and since taking ownership they have given the farm a huge makeover and are fiercely preserving its history through the development of a heritage centre.
We discovered horses are nothing new for Jo who has been passionate about them since her childhood days when she relied on them to get to school.
Jo, what’s your background and connection wth horses?
“I was brought up in country NSW and my dad had a dairy farm and we rode to school every day.
I have always loved the horses.
I just love the animal. I have always loved the animal. We used to go to the races with dad and sit in the back of the car.
When Brendan and I met that’s when I got heavily involved. We started out in racehorses with two or three and it’s all grown from there over the last 20 years.”
Your journey in the industry has certainly stepped up since then with the facilities you now have and success you have enjoyed on the track?
“We bought our first farm at Karaka which was the first 100 acres. It was a pretty run down farm in those days and we developed it into what it is today. Over time we bought another 100 acres plus another 350 so all up there we have about 500 acres which is now mainly the racing facility with a 1600m uphill grass track and a pre-training track with a shell base. This has now been operational for just over 11 years and there are about 26 horses in training there at the moment.
What’s been the highlight so far ?
“Probabeel (G1 Epsom Hcp winner) is our favourite at the moment, it’s been a great journey with her.
Our first journey began with a mare called J’Adane. She’s what really got us interested in the racing and breeding side. She only won one race but was Group placed seven or eight times and retired to the broodmare paddock. All of her progeny have won races.”
Have your breeding and racing interests been one of those things that’s grown organically or did you always set out to get to this scale?
“We had Sistema plastics up until three years ago and that took Brendan’s energy and there was a lot of travel involved. It wasn’t until we sold that we could do things on this scale.
Cambridge Stud came up on the market. We had looked at it prior but the price was too high. It was just by chance we found out it was on the market again so we went and met Sir Patrick Hogan and eventually we signed the agreement and away we went. In April two years ago we took over.
We have totally redeveloped it and bought another 200 acres adjacent. The foaling unit was the last thing to be completed.
We are now in the process of building the heritage centre which was always our plan from day one.
It’s in the build now and it will be a digital museum in a sense. A design team from Wellington with a lot of international experience is heading it up and we are hoping it will be open July 2021.”
What will the main focus of the heritage centre be?
“It’s based on Sir Tristram and Zabeel, all of their progeny and winners. We have a curator collecting all the material so we can set it up digitally. We are slowly getting trophies and people are lending them to us to exhibit. It will be a pretty amazing centre and then we will have the heroes of Cambridge and feature staff involved over last 40 years. As you walk through the centre you will see what’s coming now and what the future holds. It’s a big timeline of what’s happening at the farm.
It will be open by appointment only. We don’t want it to be a place that people just come and go. We want schools to visit and people that we can engage in the industry.”
Would it be fair to say that the journey at Cambridge Stud has not been without its challenges?
“Yes, when we took this on we didn’t realise what it does actually entail. When Henry Plumptre came on board it changed everything for us, with the people he knows and his many contacts - we are so grateful he has joined us. He and his wife Michelle have been an amazing attribute to the farm. We are there 2-3 days per week and it gives us some time to be at the Karaka farm.
We just love it, we are really passionate about it. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Sadly, three stallions on your roster died in a very short period of time, did that change your outlook and direction at all?
“We had a lot of sadness losing three stallions last year. Roaring Lion was going to be the star. That was such a sad time and losing Tavistock in a paddock accident was tragic.
In the end it gave us more fight to actually carry on. We didn’t for a minute say this is crazy we will give up. We thought let’s dig our toes in and make this happen.”
What’s been the most satisfying part about being involved?
“From my own perspective I love the support people are giving us. We were quite green when we started out but the support people are giving us is tremendous and helps us to enjoy it and not worry. Fortunately our finances allow us to do that as well.”
What are your objectives under the Cambridge Stud banner for the long term?
“I guess when you are doing this you want to be the best. We just want to be up there at the top of the tree on the racing and breeding side. It’s a whole journey getting there but we are really enjoying it. We are lucky both of us have lots of energy.”
ANDREW POTTS
The Gold Coast is a city where dreams come true and the impossible realised.
The story of the so-called “Glitter Strip” is one of soaring ambition and success realised, through grit, cunning and talent.
From inauspicious beginnings in the late 19th century as a collection of small villages, it has grown to become Australia’s sixth-largest city and a booming metropolis which has defied the odds to forge its own path.
This became particularly apparent in 2020 where the multi-billion dollar development industry has flown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and downturn to become the Gold Coast’s biggest industry, employing more than 20,000 people and keeping the economy on-track.
While the capital cities have struggled under prolonged lockdowns and weakening property markets, the Gold Coast has surprised even its most ardent critics by holding its own during the most challenging year.
While the tourism industry is in the doldrums with international borders still closed, the Gold Coast has unexpectedly become the most desirable place in Australia to live.
The city once derided as “god’s waiting room” for its proportionally older population has instead blossomed into a destination where Victorians and NSW residents want to relocate to.
Everyone from families to high-end investors are attracted to the city, not only for being a refuge from COVID-19 but for its boundless opportunities and billions of dollars in new projects underway.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has championed the city’s “open for business” strategy since he was first elected in 2012 and said the future was “looking very bright”.
“The Gold Coast is a city of opportunities and our innate have a go spirit has put us in good stead for a post-COVID world,” he said.
“We are not only a bold city but we are also a safe city - which is more important than ever - and makes us one of the most desirable places in Australia and even the world, to live and invest.
“While it is so important to get our tourism industry back on its feet, the city has so many other industries continuing to thrive including health, construction and film.
“We are also hearing stories of people from NSW and Victoria who are so desperate for our sunshine and lifestyle they are buying property off the plan. They know what we have to offer and will be here as soon as conditions allow.”
More than $14 billion worth of major developments are underway across the city, creating thousands of jobs and generating significant interest from interstate and international investors.
Leading the pack is The Star Entertainment Group’s $2 billion masterplan for Broadbeach Island, with the investment all based around nongaming assets such as hotels, restaurants, resort amenities, and apartments.
HAVING RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY, THE FORMER CONRAD JUPITERS CASINO IS IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A GIANT INTEGRATED RESORT, BOASTING UP TO SEVEN TOWERS.
The Darling hotel was completed in 2018 in time for the Commonwealth Games while the $400 million, 53-storey Dorsett tower is rising rapidly and on track to open in early 2022.
This supertower particularly is expected to deliver a major shot in the arm for Broadbeach, with features including a dining precinct in the tower’s six-level podium, a 313-rooom Dorsett hotel and a 422 residential component, known as The Star Residences.
Residential sales on this project were stronger than expected, leading to it being fast-tracked to meet the demand.
The State Government has approved a further four towers to be built on the site, with The Star yet to commit to a timeline for their delivery.
Plans reveal these supertowers, which would include a mixture of hotel and residential offerings would stand at 65, 74, 54 and 52 storeys and comprise a further 1794 apartments and 518 rooms.
The next stage of these projects is expected to be announced in 2021 as The Star determines its path forward following the pandemic.
Another major project currently under construction is the $1.3 billion The Lanes “mini-city” at Mermaid Waters.
As one of the biggest developments currently underway on the Gold Coast, this project, from Sunland Group, will ultimately feature four luxury residential towers overlooking a lake, plus an $80 million high-end shopping centre which will begin construction in 2021.
Sunland is also in the midst of constructing a new luxury tower on Mermaid Beach’s Hedges Avenue.
Known as ‘Millionaire’s row’, Hedges Ave is one of the most exclusive addresses in the entire country and home to some of Australia’s best-known business figures.
This new $250 million tower, 252 Hedges Ave, will be completed in 2022 and was in hot demand, with more than 80 per cent of its units already sold.
Another supertower in the pipeline is Mertion Group’s 76-storey Ocean project in central Surfers Paradise. Its construction recently reached the halfway mark and it is expected to be completed in mid-2022.
Leading demographer and social researcher Mark McCrindle says the Gold Coast’s low property prices, relative to the Sydney and Melbourne markets, its highly desirable lifestyle and the recent shift towards work from home modelling meant the city’s population growth would only accelerate.
“We are seeing massive internal population shifts and the Gold Coast will gain many of those sea change and treechange individuals,” he said.
“If they can get the lifestyle and feel safe there, they will make the move.
“THE FUTURE IS CREATED, NOT INHERITED AND FOR BUSINESS LEADERS, THE FUTURE IS NOT INEVITABLE, IT IS WHAT WE SHAPE.
“This is the attitude which we need to take rather than let ourselves be victims of circumstance –here on the Gold Coast when can shape a better future.”
Treasury figures released in early 2019 predicted the Coast would welcome 14,670 people annually for the next 25 years, up from an average of about 10,000. The pandemic has slowed migration temporarily but Mr McCrindle said he expected this to bounce back and even accelerate within a handful of years.
In the meantime, Gold Coast real estate agents have been run off their feet selling properties to southern state residents who are looking to start afresh north of the Tweed River.
With so many people moving to the city, developers have had to keep pace with growth, announcing billons of dollars of projects which are set to roll out of the pipeline in coming years. In June 2020 alone there was more than $200 million worth of projects ticked off by the Gold Coast City Council.
Many projects are focused on the city’s northern growth corridor and western suburbs, including the proposed Pacific City in the Norwell Valley and Worongary’s $1 billion Pacific View Estate which is currently before the council for approval.
Once ticked off, the latter project is expected to kickstart a building boom which will include new railway stations, schools and commercial projects. Other developers have turned their attention to revitalising the Gold Coast’s famous skyline with ambitious new projects burgeoning with opportunities.
Among the most prominent is Azzura Group’s $2.3 billion Imperial Square project in central Southport.
Azzura boss Robert Badalotti, has held the Meron Street site for more than a decade and has already gained council approval for his four-tower project, which at its centre would site the southern hemisphere’s tallest tower.
To be built in four stages, Imperial Square will include:
• The 18-level Regal Residences, which will have 145 apartments including two rooftop penthouses, and a four and a half star hotel with 200 suites. Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
• The 48-level Monarch Place.
• The 68-level Imperial Tower.
• The Majesty, a 108-level supertower which will become one of the world’s tallest towers.
It is ultimately expected to deliver more than 40,000 sqm of retail space, 1600 units and create more than 3000 jobs during its construction and operational period.
Cr Tate said he welcomed all ambitious proposals harkened back to the “spirit” of his predecessor, former mayor Sir Bruce Small, who developed the Gold Coast’s famed canal estates in the 1960s.
These man-made creations were profoundly ambitious in their day and remain a marvel in the present, having become the place where many of the Gold Coast’s most desirable homes stand.
“We do the property market very well – where else can you get waterfront homes near the beach or acreages which are all 30 minutes from each other?” he said.
“The lifestyle we have is something the southerners are getting a sniff of and they want to be part of it.
“Going forward, my pitch will be to the young entrepreneurs who I want to attract and brain drain Sydney and Melbourne.
“They will spread out here and help diversify our economy and you will see them shine in the next 10 years.”
An area ripe for future development and business opportunities is the Health and Knowledge precinct in Southport which is being developed around Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital and the former Commonwealth Games athletes village.
Research and development firms are already eying off its offerings, and it is set to become a major manufacturing area in the coming decade, with council offering incentives to bring more businesses to the area.
COVID-19 has changed the world in which we live but the Gold Coast is on track to remain a booming metropolis ripe with incredible opportunity and a sought-after destination to live and invest in the coming decade.
The passing of Subzero in August 2020 was an emotional occasion for Australian racing. Few racehorses before, or since, have touched the public as he did, reminding us of the important role certain thoroughbreds have played long after their racing lives are over.
When Subzero passed away last August he was rising 32, an old white horse with a fuzzy coat and swayback. His life had been good and full. From his Melbourne Cup win in 1992 to his 14 years as a racecourse pony, and all the years thereafter visiting schools and hospices with their young, old and infirm, Subzero had logged a long and unusual life and, at his death, it was obvious that racetrack stardom had been just the beginning.
“For most of these horses, the Melbourne Cup is their life-defining moment,” says Adam Crettenden, race-caller and author of the 2016 published Subzero: More Than A Melbourne Cup Hero. “But for Subzero, it really was just the beginning. He fulfilled two more lasting careers, which arguably made him more famous.”
Subzero’s story began as a Magic Millions yearling, vintage 1988, when he went through the Gold Coast sale ring on 15 January 1990. He was the first horse to sell that morning, an invidious situation for his breeder, the late Sydney lawyer Brian Agnew. But Subzero was sold well by long-time auctioneer David Chester, going to trainer Lee Freedman for $100,000. Victories in the South Australian Derby and Adelaide Cup, into a two-length, going-away win in the Melbourne Cup, promised Subzero a shelf-life well beyond racing. The rest is an oft-told story.
In the care of horseman Graham Salisbury, Subzero spent the rest of his
life in the public spotlight. He attended galas and accepted awards, and raised the profile of horse racing like none before or since. He made headlines for touching noses with terminally ill children, and appeared to possess an empathy for human suffering. Such was his fame later in life that television and newspapers reported when he was sick and, when he died, it was a story that carried nationally.
There will be few racing legacies like that belonging to the affable grey. Subzero’s importance as a post-racing racehorse is unique. However, the sport has always held its heroes up to the light. Think Phar Lap, whose hide has been on public display in Melbourne since 1932, and whose life remains in the news cycle 88 years on. As far back as 1866, champion thoroughbreds were ending up in Australian museums. The skeleton of important colonial sire Sir Hercules is assembled in Sydney, while those of Carbine, Maltster and Heroic were also donated to public collections. In addition, concepts like the Australian Racing Hall of Fame do important work in preserving, and pushing, the legacies of important racehorses.
A little way outside of Melbourne, Living Legends is doing similar as a retirement home for exceptional racehorses, animals that crawled into the public psyche either by achievement (like Might And Power) or anecdote (like The Cleaner). “This place is all about connecting people and horses,” says Dr Andrew Clarke, Living
Legends CEO and resident veterinarian. “We’re maintaining memories here and, if you look at the horses we have, you can see that through their achievements they’ve touched the hearts of millions.”
Living Legends is an important preserver of legacies. As the only commercial, open-to-the-public retirement home for racehorses in Australia, Clarke says the facility is replacing the disconnect between horses and everyday city folk. “The real testament to this place is the number of bucket-list visitors we get,” he says, “people that have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses and just want to visit a racehorse. We’ve had people come down from Queensland just to see a Cup winner.”
For 14 years, Living Legends has been an industry leader in racehorse ‘afterlife’. “If you think about a horse like Chief de Beers, a Magic Millions yearling with a huge career in Queensland,” Clarke says. “Chief was a police horse, and then he came here. For horses like him, it’s like life after life after racing.”
In the Living Legends cemetery, the legacies live on. Chief de Beers died in July and will be interred alongside the likes of Might And Power, Doriemus and Better Loosen Up. Such is racing that the sport’s great heroes, even in death, are rarely forgotten. Subzero, meanwhile, was cremated and remains with the Salisbury family in country Victoria, an irreplaceable, faultless old horse if ever there were one.
Michael Kollosche discusses the opportunities for investors with Andrew Reichard.
The January Magic Million Yearling Sale attracts horseplayers from around the nation and many parts of the globe. Over the years owners and breeders have often invested in the real estate market and as Magic Millions has added several important sales to the calendar, most notably the National Sale series each winter, this has proved to be a wise and rewarding decision.
Kollosche which is a Boutique Real Estate Agency based in Broadbeach is firmly established as the Gold Coast’s leading vendor of prestige real estate with principal Michael Kollosche leading an elite team of highly motivated sales representatives consistently selling the majority of luxury homes on the Gold Coast and has seen them record benchmark sales as high as $25 million in 2020 despite the COVID pandemic.
I recently took the opportunity to speak with Michael Kollosche to find out a little about his background and his views about Gold Coast real estate and the market in general.
AR: HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY FROM A MELBOURNE RACING FAMILY INTO GOLD COAST REAL ESTATE?
MK: I was born in Ferntree Gully in Victoria but spent most of my youth on a stud farm in Koo Wee Rup. My father Bill Kollosche was a car dealer who also owned and operated Monomeith Stud Farm where he stood several stallions. He loved thoroughbred racing and didn’t mind a bet. Mum on the other hand came from a family of SP bookies. We used to travel up regularly to the Magic Millions sale and stay at the Pan Pacific in Broadbeach. I managed to get to a few yearling sales when I wasn’t at the pool or the beach.
A very close friend of Dad’s in Victoria had about 15 real estate agencies trading as Ward-Spinks and I became quite interested in how it all worked, as well as pursuing my own interest in development, design and architecture. The aspect that attracted me most was the sales area and this interest grew over the years as my career evolved.
My parents sent me to boarding school on the Gold Coast and they moved up soon after. This was a perfect fit for me, my passion for sales could be combined with selling Gold Coast real estate, so I started at the age of 19 and have witnessed the evolving market here ever since after 23 years in the industry. I’ve seen it change from a purely tourist destination to a resilient, self-sufficient market with great depth in all sectors.
While we still welcome the steady stream of investors from capital cities down south, it has
been noticeable that the market here is viable on its own, with many intra Gold Coast sales of luxury units and homes. This has brought great stability to the market here and yet the price differential still provides outstanding opportunities for investors coming from south of the border.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A DECENT RENTAL RETURN FROM A PRESTIGE PROPERTY IF THE NEW OWNER IS NOT YET READY TO MOVE IN?
Very much so, there’s strong demand for executive rentals driven by several industries which are thriving here. One example is the movie industry which has found the Gold Coast to be a safe haven during the COVID crisis, you’ve probably read about Tom Hanks being seen here regularly and we have been able to rent properties to executives from movie studios and the likes of Netflix, for rental prices ranging from 5K per week to 40K per week and these are typically anywhere between three and nine month stays. It’s not uncommon to receive 15 to 20 applications for an executive rental property and we recently had multiple offers on a property advertised for $1750 per week, so were successful in eventually letting it out to the best offer at $2400 per week due to the demand.
With the current low cost of capital, investors can borrow 50% of the value of a property for circa 2% and get a decent return on cash.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE BEST FUTURE RETURNS FOR INVESTORS WANTING CAPITAL GROWTH?
The best returns will most likely be in Blue Chip real estate and Trophy assets in some of the best addresses on the central Gold Coast as well as boutique apartments and boutique developments.
These can be found at the beachfront addresses in Mermaid Beach along Hedges Avenue and Albatross Avenue, at the riverfront addresses of Monaco Street in Broadbeach Waters, Naples Avenue, The Promenade, The Corso on Isle Of Capri, the riverfront addresses of Paradise Waters, some riverfront pockets of Southport and also Cronin Island. They are all highly sought after, relatively tightly held, and will continue to appreciate as the Gold Coast market matures.
For residential sales, the median sale price for our entire team is around 3 million and mine is around 6.5 million. We have also developed a strong commercial division and have our own boutique developments on the drawing board which we are executing presently. Potential investors are
If I look forward over the next 20 years then there is no doubt in my mind that the Gold Coast will be one of the most rewarding locations in Australia for people to invest their money.
welcome to contact myself or one of the members of my enthusiastic sales team with enquiries in any of these areas.
I can assure them of complete confidentially, it is one of the keystones of our business approach. Complete discretion is assured, we are noted for being able to source properties for investors under terms of complete confidentially.
HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE STATE OF THE GOLD COAST PROPERTY
If I look forward over the next 20 years then there is no doubt in my mind that the Gold Coast will be one of the most rewarding locations in Australia for people to invest their money.
There has been an amazing transformation here over the past 20 years from a boom and bust economy to a very strong self sustaining marketplace, there has been incredible population growth, the strongest in Australia here in South East Queensland. We have a vibrant local economy with great pockets of wealth and we remain one of the finest, most easily accessible tourist destinations in Australia, and indeed in the entire world. The climate is wonderful, we have the world’s finest beaches, all easily reached, fantastic restaurants, the magnificent hinterland and a range of quality tourist attractions.
Property prices here are still extremely attractive compared to Sydney and Melbourne and it is nowhere near as congested. The broad market here is now very stable, I see steady growth ahead with decent returns for long term investors.
The Magic Millions sales throughout the year are a fine example of the valuable regular business that the Gold Coast attracts, we have a healthy racing economy here with Gold Coast races every Saturday and the major sales which attract a tremendous amount of business several times a year.
I see this as being part of the strong future growth here and would be delighted to help anyone from the thoroughbred industry with their real estate enquiries and requirements.
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Exceed And Excel is Australia’s most dominant juvenile speed influence, his bay colt Lot 742 in the A List draft is from the immediate family of Gr. winner, $2m plus earner, Gatting.
Victoria’s A List Stud will present their first Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling draft in 2021. A List Stud purchased a new property in 2019, and the business is run by a team led by CEO Chris Lee. The debut draft of any new farm is an exciting time, and Bluebloods spoke to Stud Manager, Codie O’Neill, about their draft of five yearlings for the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“We took a draft of two year-olds to this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Sale, and the focus on the farm has been on selecting broodmares who will produce athletic types.” Some of the broodmares that A List Stud has invested in recently include Gr.3 winners Agent Pippa (Demerit), Pecans (Skilled), and New Zealand Oaks placegetter Insurgent (Ishiguru).
A List Stud is a young operation based on a lovely farm, who are investing in quality stock at the sales to build a solid operation. Their first draft of Magic Millions yearlings provides buyers with plenty of opportunity to find a good racehorse.
LOT 407 - So You Think(NZ)-Invincible Express
A List Stud will offer three yearling fillies for sale, including the first foal, Lot 407, of city winner Invincible Express, who won six races up to 1100m, and was a winner on debut as a two year-old. Invincible Express is by Australia’s hottest sire I Am Invincible, and is out of a two year-old winning Iglesia mare who is a halfsister to stakes winner Emit Time. This yearling filly is by proven sire So You Think whose Gr.1 winning fillies include Nakeeta Jane, Sopressa, and La Bella Diosa.
to
“Very athletic, great walking filly with nice muscle and good bone.”
A List Stud is a young operation based on a lovely farm, who are investing in quality stock at the sales to build a solid operation. Their first draft of Magic Millions yearlings provides buyers with plenty of opportunity to find a good racehorse.
The five yearlings that A List Stud will present at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale consist of three fillies and two colts, and all by proven and emerging quality stallions.
LOT 742 - Exceed And Excel-Sanity Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Gatting earned over $2million, and A List Stud will present a closely related colt, Lot 742, being by Exceed And Excel out of Sanity (Lonhro), a winning full sister to the dam of Gatting. This colt is also a blood brother to group winner Manicure who shares the same sire as this yearling, Exceed And Excel, and is out of another full sister to Sanity in group winner Trim. If that isn’t enough, this colt is the first foal of his dam, and recent stakes winner Diamond Thunder also appears in this pedigree.
“A quality, well balanced colt who is nicely put together and has a good attitude.”
LOT 1092 - Deep Field-Snow Sparkle
A Deep Field colt, Lot 1092, is the first foal of winning More Than Ready mare Snow Sparkle, a half-sister to group winner Holyfield, and a daughter of Gr.1 Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle. This is a family on the rise, with Hurtle Myrtle having left four winners from as many to race, and with Holyfield only being a three year-old, there are likely to be pedigree updates between now and sale time.
“A well bred colt. Nice conformation with a good attitude.”
“An attractive strong filly with a good shoulder and hindquarters.”
LOT 188 - Frosted (USA)-Cottoned On
The first foal, Lot 188, of Cottoned On is by exciting young sire Frosted who is an early leader on the first season sire list at time of writing. This filly’s second dam is the tough race mare Marveen, who won six races including three races at Listed level and was multiple times group placed. This is the family of speedy two year-old Unite and Conquer, as well as Danglissa and Sweet Redemption.
“A lovely forward type, with good scope and presence.”
LOT 1137 - Shooting to Win-What a Treat
Rounding out the A List Stud draft for the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is Lot 1137, a filly by emerging sire Shooting to Win who is siring winners week in week out and has two rising stars of Australian racing in Tailleur and undefeated Mystery Shot. This filly is out of What a Treat (Lonhro) who won six races, all at sprint distances, and she has already left a two year-old winner at stud. This is one of Australia’s most consistent families that descends from Gr.1 winner Wrap Around, and includes Champion 2YO and Champion 3YO Fashions Afield, two year-old group winner Kiss and Make Up, and the dam of this filly is a half-sister
188 F/Br. or Gr. Frosted (USA) Cottoned On 407 F/Br. So You Think (NZ) Invincible Express 742 C/B. Exceed And Excel Sanity 1092 C/B. Deep Field Snow Sparkle 1137 F/B. Shooting to Win What A Treat Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
Craig and Sue Anderson’s Amarina Farm was established in 2006 in partnership with Gavin Murphy and Catherine Donovan on 420 picturesque acres just outside the town of Denman is the Hunter Valley, on prime horse country. Craig Anderson is a true stalwart of the industry, his knowledge and experience of handling valuable thoroughbreds is second to none.
Amarina is sending a first eleven to the 2021 Magic Millions all in Book One. There are 10 by proven successful sires and a first season colt by Highland Reel, who is one of the best racehorses ever to have stood in Australia, and with a pedigree to match. Craig was most enthusiastic about the draft when we spoke to him recently, “It has been a remarkable year, a tough year for sure, but we have been very lucky to see racing continue. The 2020 sales were definitely disrupted, but the online bidding has been developed and used to a greater extent than many of us thought could happen. I’m hoping 2021 will see the beginnings of a return to normal. We’ve just had terrific news about the border openings so all the Aussie buyers will be able to operate as normal. International buyers have become very familiar with our market, so hopefully they will be active through agents or online. Our prizemoney is still fantastic, so there should be a solid market for quality yearlings. And that’s what we are sending.”
Amarina’s draft will enter the ring in the following order –
Lot 67: bay or brown filly by Divine Prophet out
of Atotori by Haradasun. This filly is a half-sister to Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate runner up Zoutori, winner of almost $1million. She is from the great black type family of New Approach and Castlethorpe. By a young Gr.1 winning son of Choisir, she is an exciting racing and breeding prospect.
Lot 228: chestnut colt by Not A Single Doubt out of Di Lusso by Lonhro. This colt is by Australia’s current leading sire out of a mare by champion sire Lonhro and is a half-brother to Gr.2 winner, Gr.1 NZ Oaks placed Contessa Vanessa (by Bullbars), He is a real stallion prospect being from the immediate family of three of the world’s hottest sires, Invincible Spirit, Kodiac and Pride Of Dubai.
Lot 258: chestnut colt from Amarina is by the great Zoustar whose fairer sex need no introduction. Magic Millions heroine Sunlight 11 wins, 3 Gr.1s, $6.5 million and her recent Spring Carnival Gr.3 winning sister Sisstar are two shining examples of the breed, while the dam has produced two winners from two to race.
Lot 290: bay or brown colt by Pride Of Dubai from Fairly Feline by Mr Greeley. By rising star sire Pride Of Dubai, champion first season sire last year, this colt is a half-brother to the very
promising three times winner Proper Rogue from the family of Gr.1 winner Whywhywhy.
Lot 531: bay colt by Exceed And Excel out of Melba Avenue by Street Sense. This colt is by Australia’s renowned 2YO speed influence and champion sire and is a half-brother multiple Gr.1 winner, and Gr.1 winning 2YO Valour Road ($1m plus.) From the family of brilliant sprinters Raspberries and Flavour (14 wins, $1.6 million.)
Lot 588 chestnut colt by Highland Reel out of Mysteries by Rahy, Half-brother to five winners from the family of dual Gr.1 winner Catholic Boy (Travers S and Belmont Derby.)
Lot 606 bay colt by Savabeel out of O’Reilly Rose by O’Reilly. Dam is Gr.3 winning three quartersister to Gr.1 winning sprinter Shamexpress. By champion NZ sire Savabeel and bred on his outstanding nick with O’Reilly mares which has produced 13.2% SW to runners including four Gr.1 winners.
Not A Single Doubt is currently Australia’s leading sire and has few peers as a sire of sprinters with Everest winner Classique Legend and Golden Slipper winner Farnan his most recent elite sprinting colts.
Amarina’s colt by Not A Single Doubt Lot 228 is from the family of three of the world’s leading commercial sires, Invincible Spirit, Kodiac ad Pride Of Dubai.
Lot 661: chestnut colt by Sebring out of Prettyhappyaboutit by Magnus. By the outstanding Golden Slipper winner and leading sire Sebring out of a SW mare whose first two to race are both winners, from the immediate family of Gr.1 placed Born To Rock.
Lot 725 bay colt by Zoustar out of Rosewedge by Foxwedge. Sire needs no introduction and this is the first foal of a winning daughter of Gr.2 winner and multiple stakes producer Te Akau Rose. From the family of Gr.1 ATC Doncaster H winner Brutal.
Lot 861 bay colt by Rubick out of Swertemo by Lookin at Lucky. By the brilliant young sire of Everest winner Yes Yes Yes out of the family of Gr.1 winning 2YO Prized Icon (Champagne S and Victoria Derby both Gr.1.)
Lot 936 bay or brown colt by Pride Of Dubai out of Vital Mist by Encosta de Lago. Half-brother to two winners including current topliner Misteed (4 wins $319K.) By Australia’s champion first
season sire out of a winning mare by multiple champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago. Family of Gr.1 winners Bounding and Anthony Van Dyck.
There are 11 players per team in two of the world’s most popular sports, soccer and cricket. Amarina’s super coach Craig Anderson is sending his finest first eleven to the 2021 Magic Millions January Sale at the Gold Coast with high expectations they will be match winners for their eventual owners.
67 F/ B. or Br. Divine Prophet Atotori
228 C/ Ch. Not A Single Doubt Di Lusso
258 F/ Ch. Zoustar Elwaaryaa
290 C/ B. or Br. Pride Of Dubai Fairly Feline (USA)
531 C/ B. Exceed and Excel Melba Avenue
588 C/ Ch. Highland Reel (IRE) Mysteries
606 C/ B. Savabeel O’Reilly Rose (NZ)
661 C/ Ch. Sebring Prettyhappyaboutit
725 C/ B. Zoustar Rosewedge
861 C/ B. Rubick Swertemo
936 C/ B. or Br. Pride Of Dubai Vital Mist
530 Dalswinton Road
02 6547 1261 office@amarinafarm.com.au
When trainer Natalie Young first saw Tagaloa in Arrowfield’s 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast draft she wrote one word on his catalogue page: Mine!
A few days later Natalie and Trent Busuttin were rapt to buy the colt for $300,000. Little more than a year after that, they celebrated his tenacious victory in the $1.5 million Blue Diamond S. G1 and a stallion deal believed to be worth $25 million. Tagaloa is one of Arrowfield’s 17 Group 1-winning sale graduates since 2014. Most significantly for buyers, the Stud out-performs the black type success rate of every major yearling auction where it is a vendor.
The Australian thoroughbred industry has shown remarkable resilience in a year of global crisis and the team led by John and Paul Messara cannot wait to present their 67-strong Magic Millions 2021 consignment.
It features 16 yearlings by four-time Champion Sire Snitzel, sire of the last two Magic Millions 2YO Classic winners Away Game and Exhilarates. There’s a quartet by fast-rising Group 1 sire
Tagaloa is one of Arrowfield’s 17 Group 1-winning sale graduates since 2014. Most significantly for buyers, the Stud out-performs the black type success rate of every major yearling auction where it is a vendor.
Dundeel and a trio of outstanding colts from the final crop of Redoute’s Choice.
Shalaa, already the sire of Breeders’ Plate G3 winner Shaquero, will be represented by 10 second-crop yearlings in Arrowfield’s barns at the Gold Coast. Lord Kanaloa, Maurice, Mikki Isle and Real Impact have 18 lots for sale under the Stud’s banner - one of the best collections of Japanese-sired yearlings ever presented outside Japan.
Arrowfield will offer a pair of fillies from the penultimate crop of current General Sires’ Premiership leader Not A Single Doubt, sire of Arrowfield’s Group-winning Magic Millions graduate Anders (reportedly syndicated for $14 million) and Everest winner Classique Legend. Fans of Not A Single Doubt will be impressed with the eight first-crop yearlings by the stallion poised to succeed him, 2YO and 3YO Group winner Pariah.
It’s a draft that reflects the many highlights of Arrowfield’s year which opened when Alabama Express – yet another multi-milliondollar stallion prospect sold as a yearling by
Arrowfield - won the weight-for-age C.F. Orr S. G1 in February. He and 2YO colt King’s Legacy took Redoute’s Choice’s tally of Group 1 winners to 38 and are among the legendary sire’s 14 new stakeswinners since his death in March 2019.
Dundeel, Not A Single Doubt and Snitzel compiled a rare Group 1 treble on a necessarily crowdless Golden Slipper day, when graduate Castelvecchio’s Rosehill Guineas and I Am Excited’s Galaxy bracketed the Farnan-Away Game quinella in the Slipper.
Real Impact recorded his first Group 1 winner, Lauda Sion in the Tokyo NHK Mile, and his first Australian winners include stakes-placed Outburst and Real Peace, third in the $1 million Bondi Stakes – both of them Arrowfield Magic Millions graduates.
Mikki Isle followed suit with dual Group-winning Japanese juvenile Meikei Yell, and his first winner downunder, the Arrowfield-bred-and-sold 2YO Oriental Princess. Mel O’Gorman’s smart $82,500 buy from Arrowfield’s 2020 Magic Millions draft became the $500,000 2YO Sale-topping Mikki Isle-In the Clear colt.
Maurice headed Japan’s First Season Sires’ list with 27 winners including Group-placed Infinite, and Lord Kanaloa consolidated his status as Japan’s leading active sire with 15 worldwide stakeswinners in 2020, including superstar Almond Eye.
At the end of the 2019/20 season, Snitzel joined an elite group of six great Australian stallions with his fourth consecutive General Sires’ Premiership and claimed his third Champion 2YO Sires’ title for good measure. Ten Group winners in 2020 confirm he’s at the top of his game, and his best bred crops are still coming on stream. The same can be said of Group 1 sire Dundeel whose ferociously talented 3YOs include Victoria Quay (Wakeful S. G2), two-time Listed winner Ain’tnodeeldun, VRC Derby G1 runner-up Hit The Shot, stakes performers Azaly and Let’s Karaka Deel, Derby trial winner Cetshwayo & promising winners Leeward, Maid of Iron, Miss Guggenheim and Pure Deal.
At the end of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, Missile Mantra underlined the value that can be found at Arrowfield. Purchased from the Stud’s 2018 Magic Millions draft for just $30,000 by Triple Crown syndicators Chris and Michael Ward, she took her career earnings close to $500,000 with victory in the Summoned S. G3.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam
5 F/ B. Siyouni (FR) Zerkela (FR)
16 F/ B. Maurice (JPN) Adamina
19 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Adviso (USA)
25 C/ B. or Br. Redoute’s Choice Al Jasrah (IRE)
36 F/ B. Lord Kanaloa (JPN) Almandine (JPN)
69 C/ B. or Br. Shalaa (IRE) Aurora’s Star
77 C/ B. Maurice (JPN) Bacarella
176 F/ B. Snitzel Colorado Claire
224 F/ B. Pariah Desert Flower
238 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Double Ranga
244 F/ Ch. Snitzel Dream Tiara (JPN)
295 C/ B. Pariah Farsight
320 C/ Ch. Snitzel Flidais
360 F/ Br. Written Tycoon Grito
371 F/ B Maurice (JPN) Helena Girl
382 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Honesty Prevails
402 C/ Br. Redoute’s Choice Inishowen
403 C/ B. Pariah Insinuating (USA)
405 F/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Intiba (USA)
427 C/ B. Dundeel (NZ) Just Divine
438 F/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Kebede
454 C/ Ch. Snitzel La Velata (JPN)
461 C/ B. Lord Kanaloa (JPN) Laguna Azzurra (JPN)
466 F/ B. Snitzel Later Gator (NZ)
496 F/ B. Pariah Lundi
503 F/ B. Snitzel Madame Andree
505 F/ B. Dundeel (NZ) Magic Belle (NZ)
545 C/ Br. Snitzel Miss Dodwell
553 C/ B. Snitzel Miss Match (ARG)
556 F/ Ch. Siyouni (FR) Miss Super Quick (USA)
576 C/ B. Redoute’s Choice Mount Zero
593 F/ B. Not A Single Doubt Networking (GER)
603 C/ B. Snitzel Nocturnelle
637 C/ B. or Br. Dundeel (NZ) Petworth House
662 C/ Br Maurice (JPN) Prima Klaire
684 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Rationality
735 C/ B. Snitzel Saavoya (NZ)
740 F/ Br. Snitzel Sananda (IRE)
772 C/ B. Snitzel Sewreel (NZ)
793 F/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Shwaimsa (IRE)
795 C/ Br. Snitzel Silent Sedition
797 C/ Br. Snitzel Silla Regalis
839 C/ Ch. Pariah Streep
855 C/ B. Real Impact (JPN) Sussuro
868 F/ B. Not A Single Doubt Tango
895 F/ Ch. Snitzel Time Check (USA)
896 C/ B. Real Impact (JPN) Timeless Choice
904 C/ B. or Br. Snitzel Traceability
933 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Villa Rosa
975 C/ Ch. Mikki Isle (JPN) Le Regine’s
1009 F/ B. Olympic Glory (IRE) Moon Candy
1010 F/ B. Scissor Kick Moonlight Hussey
1063 C/ B. Real Impact (JPN) Roseito
1079 F/ B. Mikki Isle (JPN) She’s Magical
1107 F/ Ch. Pariah Sultry Dreamer
1136 F/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Watchme
1145 C/ B. Maurice (JPN) Zabelka
1163 F/ B. Real Impact (JPN) Aspen Summit
1169 C/B. Real Impact (JPN) Battle Queen
www.arrowfield.com.au
Paul Messara: 0438 248 258
Jon Freyer: 0408 583 888
Sally Gordon: 0421 080 021
Alison Brassil: 0439 338 630
Peter Jenkins: 0408 667 876
Adam Brandwood: 0412 332 202 Scone, NSW
1174 C/ B. Pariah Besame Mucho
1192 C/ Br. or Blk.Mikki Isle (JPN) Cat Woman
1222 C/ B. Mikki Isle (JPN) De Lovely Lady
1229 F/ B. Maurice (JPN) Double Deel
1231 C/ B. Dundeel (NZ) Dual Star
1252 F/ Br. Pariah Golden Statue
1256 F/ Ch. Maurice (JPN) Heavenly Mum
1263 F/ Ch. Scissor Kick Hussy Miss
Renée Geelen
Attunga Stud continues to thrive in its new location with homebred Parlophone winning the 2020 SAJC Lightning Stakes-Listed recently, while last year’s South Australia Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) is a highlight from recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale drafts for the farm.
This property is in its infancy, being part of the original Wakefield Stud. I can’t seem to escape the clutches of Brian Agnew,” proprietor Brian Nutt joked. “He was a great boss to me and many others, and the previous Attunga property was also part of the original Wakefield Stud, so it’s somewhat fitting to be back here.” The old Attunga farm was sold to neighbours Yarraman Park in 2018. Other recent Magic Millions graduates for the Attunga brand include Gr.3 winner Sun City and Listed winner Champ Elect.
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
Having sold Attunga a few years ago, and now with starting a new property, we didn’t qualify for Jobkeeper which has been a huge financial burden. It has also been extremely difficult to get staff for the yearling season; our last few advertisements have had no applicants. With all the travel restrictions, there are no backpackers. It is easier to find people who want to do the sales week, but not so easy to find those who want to do the hard yards on the farm. In terms of yearling inspections, the opening borders will help as it allows agents to visit us on the farm, and we’ve seen an increase in interest recently.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
Taking out the top of the sire chart ones, I also like Deep Field. He gets a lot of winners and produces a type. Dundeel can get an elite horse, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Capitalist progeny go as Golden Slipper winners have a very good record at stud.
THE 2021 ATTUNGA MAGIC MILLIONS DRAFT
Attunga will present six colts and seven fillies at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“The half brother to the Derby winner Qafila, who we also sold, is our highlight colt. He’s a lovely colt, a very good mover with a great attitude. He looks like an athletic specimen.” By sought after stallion, I Am Invincible, this colt is out of imported mare Zighy Bay, whose second foal is Gr.1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila. Zighy Bay is a half-sister to Japanese Gr.1 winner Mozu Superflare, and USA group winner Sacristy, dam of stakes winner and Gr.1 placed Flor de la Mar.
“The Capitalist from Silk Sheets is a horse I could see at the races early.” Out of winning Exceed And Excel mare Silk Sheets, this colt is from the family of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, as well as recent stakes winner Ain’tnodeeldun. Attunga has another Capitalist colt on offer, from winning mare Royal Schilling, who is a half-sister to group winner Fire in the Night, and to the dam of consistent sprinter Hooked.
Attunga will also offer colts by Pariah, War Decree, and Written Tycoon. Of the seven fillies in this draft, Nutt is keen on the half-sister to Gr.3 Maribyrnong Stakes winner Vinicunca. “She’s a strong early type of filly, typical of the sire.” By Deep Field, this filly has plenty of juvenile form in her pedigree, as her dam is a winning half-sister to Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner Carry on Cutie, and to the dam of Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner The Mission. Attunga has another Deep Field filly on offer, who is the third foal of winning halfsister to stakes winners Elderly Paradise, King Diamond, and Hosting.
A half-sister to Gr.1 winner Griante by Rubick will provide a chance to buy into a strong colonial family, while the Extreme Choice filly from Wanted Lady is from a family on the improve, with the likes of Mizzy adding blacktype recently, and this filly’s full brother, already named Abseiler is a two year-old who holds a nomination for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. From the first crop of Tosen Stardom (Deep Impact) is a half-sister to group winner Princess Posh from the family of Gr.1 winner Mr Innocent. Attunga Stud will also offer fillies by Pariah and Zoustar.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO SHARE?
My first two Margaritas.
WHAT ARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF WHERE YOU WORK?
I always tell staff: Think about the person who is coming to do a job after you. Don’t leave things half done, be prepared, don’t leave the quad bike empty of fuel, etc.
Brian Nutt: 0418 264 012 attungastud@bigpond.com Scone, NSW Above: Parlorphone, Right: Qafila
With Baramul Stud’s 2020 Magic Millions graduates in such strong stables as Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Lindsay Park, Gary Portelli, Chris Waller, Leon and Troy Corstens, Bjorn Baker and Hawkes Racing the future looks bright.
And brighter still when considering the historic farm’s 2021 draft; the who’s who of stallions represented including current and four times Champion Stallion Snitzel whose representation includes a daughter of the Group One mare Diademe, the progeny of stakes winners Zennista, Telepathic and No Evidence Needed, half-siblings to the Group One winners Mrs Onassis and Sofia Rosa and to the stakes winners Felines, McLaren and Rebel King/Rebelson.
Snitzel’s three times Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice also has a couple of nice yearlings going through the ring, a half-brother to five times stakes winner Pearl Green from the Lady Jakeo family and a colt out of the dual city winner In Times Of War, daughter of Magic Millions 2YO Classic-RL, 1200m winner Military Rose.
Fellow high class Redoute’s Choice stallion Not A Single Doubt has a colt out of the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Medaglia Valore (daughter of Military Rose) and a filly whose dam is a winning daughter of the Group One mare Isolda (dam of the Group Three galloper Bid Spotter).
Another Champion Sire title holder, Exceed And Excel has three yearlings for Baramul; a half-sister to the stakes placed Queen Of Rocks out of the triple stakes winner Dowager Queen, a 3/4 brother to the spring stakes winner Confrontational and the second foal for a daughter of Isolda.
Meanwhile Victorian Champion Sire Written Tycoon, who now calls the Hunter Valley home, has three yearlings; a son of triple Group winner Lady Lynette, a half-brother to Listed winner Affable and a colt out of the Group Three winner Fifth Avenue Lady.
Also recipient of several leading sire titles is I Am Invincible whose three colts are a half-brother to the Listed winner Meuse out of the Group Three winner Precious Lorraine (granddaughter of Shantha’s Choice), a half-brother to the ATC Derby-Gr.1, 2400m hero Levendi and the Group Three winners Wu Gok and Marcel From Madrid and a colt out of Diamond Solitaire, granddaughter of the dual Group winner Fair Embrace.
Sadly, Sebring is no longer with us, what a terrific stallion he has been. There are two chances to secure Baramul fillies by him; a sister to the stakes winner Sebring Sally and a half-sister to the in-form dual city winner Simply Optimistic.
One of the stars of the spring, Arcadia Queen, is by sensational young sire Pierro who has three in the draft, a son of the Group Three placed Next The Universe from the Denise’s Joy family, a granddaughter of the stakes winner Tears I Cry from the family of Street Cry and Shamardal and a filly from the Tracy’s Element family.
A couple of Deep Field colts are bound to prove popular; a half-brother to the stakes placed Kapset out of a half-sister to Pinker Pinker and a colt from the prolific Palatious family which has another exciting stakes winner in the shape of Ranting.
American Pharoah has an interesting trio including a son of the Group One placed Godiva Rock whilst So You Think has a filly out of Fair Embrace’s Group Three placed daughter Rose Pattern and Astern a son of the city placed More Than Ready mare Latin Salsa.
All Too Hard is well represented by six yearlings including relations to the big race winners Pebbles, Atlante and Escado whilst Epaulette has a filly from the family of Singapore star Better Than Ever and a colt from the family of Dehere. Press Statement (including a filly from the family of Ha Ha and Rory’s Jester), Shalaa (including a half-sister to the stakes placed Light Up The Sky from the Denise’s Joy clan) and Vancouver (including a grandson of Private Steer) each have three in the draft whilst Exosphere (including a colt out of a half-sister to the dual stakes winner Palazzo Pubblico), Star Turn (including a halfbrother to the Group Two winner Riva de Lago) and Headwater (including a colt out of a halfsister to Listed winner Latin News) have two each.
Baramul’s Paul Thompson said recently, “We have been constantly upgrading our broodmare band and I feel the results are clear to see in this draft. Gerry Harvey and I are really looking forward to putting a difficult 2020 behind us and meeting all our clients and friends at the Gold Coast in January. We’ve put a lot of effort into this draft, please come and see us.”
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
2 C/ B. Exceed And Excel Zastava
4 F/ B. Snitzel Zennista (NZ)
103 F/ B. Snitzel Bislieri
151 C/ B. Snitzel Chateau Cheval
229 F/ B. Snitzel Diademe (NZ)
231 C/ B. or Br. I Am Invincible Diamond Solitaire
236 F/ B. Sebring Donna Amata
240 F/ B. Exceed And Excel Dowager Queen (NZ)
273 F/ B. Not A Single Doubt Espresso Shot
303 C/ B. Written Tycoon Fifth Avenue Lady
348 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Godiva Rock
354 F/ Ch. Snitzel Graciousness
361 F/ B. Pierro Guangdong
396 C/ B. Redoute’s Choice In Times of War
412 F/ Ch. Sebring Iron Rose (NZ)
417 F/ B. Snitzel Jellicles
435 C/ B. Deep Field Kapala
452 C/ Br. Snitzel La Silva
456 C/ Br. Written Tycoon Lady Gracious
457 C/ B. or Br. Written Tycoon Lady Lynette
481 C/ B. I Am Invincible Lipari
515 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Malibu Sunset
529 C/ Ch. Not A Single Doubt Medaglia Valore
551 C/ B. Snitzel Miss Jakeo
596 C/ B. Pierro Next the Universe
599 C/ B. Snitzel No Evidence Needed
657 C/ B. or Br. I Am Invincible Precious Lorraine
689 F/ B. or Br. Snitzel Rebel Sister
697 F/ B. Pierro Redoute’s Street
723 F/ B. So You Think (NZ) Rose Pattern
748 C/ B. or Br. Snitzel Savannah River
769 F/ B. Snitzel Serenada
815 F/ B. Snitzel Sovereign Duchess
825 F/ B. Exceed And Excel Squandered
873 F/ B. Snitzel Telepathic (NZ)
880 C/ B. Redoute’s Choice The Hamptons
883 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) The Nickster
921 C/ Ch. Snitzel Upgrading
932 F/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Villa Moura (NZ)
941 F/ B. Snitzel Walk the Streets
973 C/ B. Astern Latin Salsa
994 C/ B. or Br. Vancouver Magic Gold
1013 C/ B. Vancouver Mountain Laurel
1046 F/ Br. All Too Hard Precious Metals
1050 C/ B. Deep Field Queen Louise
1053 F/ Br. or Blk. All Too Hard Reliable Lady (NZ)
1068 F/ Ch. All Too Hard Sawn Off Shotgun
1073 F/ B. All Too Hard Secretary Bird
1132 C/ B. All Too Hard Very Puzzling
1135 F/ Br. All Too Hard Warsaw Pact
1140 C/ B. or Br. Star Turn Whole New World
1144 F/ B. or Br. Press Statement You’re Funny
1148 F/ B. Exosphere Absolute Empress
1150 F/ B. Vancouver Afghanistan
1155 F/ Br. Shalaa (IRE) Amaliehaven
1161 F/ B. Epaulette Antonia
1162 F/ Ch. Star Turn Ashenti
1189 F/ Br. Exosphere Cappella di Piazza
1202 F/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Christmas Offer
1205 F/ B. or Br. Epaulette Claws are Out
1208 C/ B. or Br. Headwater Computer
1226 C/ B. Press Statement Divergence
1230 F/ B. Press Statement Double Strength
1242 C/ B. Headwater Forbidden Rose
January comes up quickly at the end of each calendar year, but particularly for Bhima Thoroughbreds in 2021. The boutique operator, along the Moobi Road in Scone, will present its largest ever draft of youngsters to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “We’ve got 31 heading there,” says Mike Fleming, “and that’s the largest I can remember ever sending up. It’s probably the largest we’ve ever had for any sale, actually.”
Fleming has operated Bhima with his wife Kate since 2015. In the past few years he has enjoyed enormous success. The farm’s last Magic Millions January results included $1.1 million for a Redoute’s Choice-Gresset colt, and the year before it was $1.6 million for Prague. “These types of results tend to make our job easier,” Fleming admits, “but so does a high-clearance rate, buyer transparency and sales platform. And we’ve worked very hard at those.”
Bhima’s bumper draft owes itself, in part, to 2020, something Fleming happily admits. “I think with COVID and all the travel restrictions, a lot of our client base has been keen to hit the market early while everyone is fully loaded,” he says. “Magic Millions is the first bite of the cherry each year and, if your horses are forward enough, it’s the sale you head to.”
The 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale marks the third year that Bhima has used the Kick Sales Platform to sell its horses. Built to provide integrity in selling, the platform offers any prospective buyer the opportunity to see a Bhima yearling’s portfolio, including its complete history and ownership disclosure, and all veterinary evidence like x-rays, scopes, vaccinations and surgeries. Hand in hand, Bhima and the Platform are a guarantee of Buyer transparency.
“This year, more than any year, the Kick Sales Platform will be so important,” Fleming says. “I understand there are around 250 extra horses at the sale, and that’s a lot of extra leg work for trainers, buyers and agents. For them to know where our horses are vetting and scoping and x-raying, prior to them sending their vets in, is a huge advantage. Our buyers will know what they’re dealing with before ever getting to that stage at the sale.”
Bhima’s graduate record makes it one of the top independent yearling consignors in Australia. In 2019, Fleming and his team sold the Redoute’s Choice-Purely Spectacular youngster for $1.6 million, he was eventually named Prague. The colt is now a two-time Gr3 winner and “it was hugely satisfying to see those results after the faith that was put in him in the sale ring,” Fleming says. This season, brilliant colt North Pacific has joined the Bhima graduates board, while progressive Ain’tnodeeldun is shaping up for a strong autumn preparation. Emeralds (Gr3 winner) is another
Lot 34 from Bhima’s 2019 MM draft was a $1.6m yearling and is now the dual Gr.3 winner Prague
Group winner from a recent Bhima consignments with the quality mare looking likely to deliver future elite performances.
B IS FOR BLUEBLOOD PEDIGREES
Bhima bousts a strong consignment from top to bottom for Magic Millions in 2021 and Fleming is especially excited by Lot 213, a colt by Exceed And Excel from De Groove. The youngster is a full brother to five-time Hong Kong winner Big Party. “We’re really interested to see what this one will do,” Fleming says. “We sold another full brother to him in last year’s draft for $900,000, so it’s obviously a family that has got a lot of strength around it.”
In 2019, Fleming and his team sold the Redoute’s ChoicePurely Spectacular youngster for $1.6 million, eventually named Prague. The colt is now a two-time Gr3 winner
The Written Tycoon colt from Aqua Belle is from a strong international pedigree, while the Scandiva colt by the same sire is from the illustrious family of Black Caviar and Ole Kirk.
Fleming adds that he’s also excited about the five colts he has heading to Book Two. “It’s the first time in about six years we’ve had horses in Book Two,” he says. “That sale has traditionally produced some good horses, including the Mikki Isle colt that
topped the 2YOs In Training Sale in November.
B IS FOR BRIGHT NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities lie at the feet of first-crop sires and, in 2021, it might be all about value with two stallions starting off a lower base like Not A Single Doubt and I Am Invincible before them. Arrowfield stallion Pariah has been pinned as a most likely son of Redoute’s Choice to succeed, and Yarraman’s stallion Hellbent shapes up as another star son for sire I Am Invincible. Bhima will present two Pariah colts and one Hellbent colt at Magic Millions, one of which is Lot 44 from Amerindia.
“This is a very good Pariah colt,” Fleming says. “He’s medium-sized, strong and a great walking horse, which is really typical of what we’ve seen of Pariah foals. For a horse that is entering the market at Pariah’s fee ($16,500), it’s going to be very interesting to see how the progeny go because we’ve been very impressed with the foals we’ve had on the ground so far.”
“We’ve got a nice Hellbent colt heading into Book Two (Lot 1273). He’s a strong, forward type from a first-season sire, and it’s exciting to see these types coming from first-season stallions that are standing at the lower end of service fees. I recall that I Am Invincible, Not A Single Doubt and Written Tycoon all started the same way, and look what they’ve achieved. Great opportunities await clever buyers.”
Four yearlings by French shuttler and fellow debut sire Almanzor are on offer by Bhima, as are colts by Merchant Navy and Divine Prophet. While the new stallions present bright new opportunities, the Bhima draft of 31 shows off no less than 19 individual stallions from such proven names as Written Tycoon (2), Snitzel (4), So You Think, Not A Single Doubt, Pierro and Dundeel.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam 2021 draft
44 C/ B. Pariah Amerindia
46 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Anchor Bid
54 C/ Ch. Written Tycoon Aqua Bella (GB)
76 F/ B. Pride Of Dubai Azeema
96 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Berimbau
157 C/ B. Almanzor Choice (NZ)
166 F/ B. Snitzel Circe
204 C/ B. Fastnet Rock Dance Mix (USA)
213 C/ B. Exceed And Excel De Groove
216 C/ B. Merchant Navy Dee Nine Elle
261 F/ Ch. Almanzor (FR) Empress Cixi (GB)
399 C/ Ch. Sebring Infliction
449 C/ B. Tavistock La Boheme (NZ)
470 C/ B. Almanzor Lazumba
540 C/ Br. Snitzel Midnight Revels (NZ)
594 C/ B. Ocean Park (NZ) Never in Doubt (NZ)
633 F/ B. Snitzel Perfect Fit (NZ)
690 F/ B. Pierro Rebound
708 C/ B. Dundeel Ritzy
750 C/ B. Almanzor (FR) Savvy Dreams (NZ)
751 C/ Ch. Written Tycoon Scandiva
801 C/ Br. Sebring Sister Phenomenon
834 C/ B. Pariah Stella Grace
888 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Thirty Rock
909 F/ B. Not A Single DoubtTrue Heart
937 C/ B. Snitzel Vivi Veloce
1037 C/ Ch. Divine Prophet Perfect Eight
1052 C/ Br. So You Think (NZ) Rekindled Glow
1056 C/ B. Nicconi Rhandara
1186 C/ B. Iffraaj (GB) Busted Love
1273 C/ B. Hellbent Ivy Blue
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
It has been another busy and successful year for Bowness Stud with such classy graduates as Chapada, Funstar and Indian Pacific strutting their stuff whilst D’Argento is proving a popular first season stallion.
We caught up with Bowness’ John North in the lead-up to a big sales season...
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
Fortunately we operated in a Covid free area and were able to secure a very well credentialled commercial stallion in D’Argento. This negated the necessity for us to expose our operation to a lot of outside adverse influences.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
All the good ones! I’m a big fan of the Sadler’s Wells sire line.
DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021 WITH HIGHLIGHTS.
A diverse draft, a selection that will have something to appeal to all buyers. Obviously the Pierro - Starspangled colt with three Group One winners under the first dam will be well inspected. The Pariah, So You Think, American Pharoah and Shalaa yearlings will also be popular.
WHICH HORSE IN YOUR DRAFT LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
In a draft of 27 yearlings I would hate to single out any one horse because in many years of breeding I have learned that the good horse can come from anywhere. The opportunity and management they receive is probably one of the most important aspects.
IN 40 YEARS, WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE NOSTALGIC FOR?
Old fashioned cooking. IF ANIMALS COULD TALK, WHICH WOULD BE THE RUDEST?
I had a foul mouthed cockatoo once that started swearing when invited guests arrived! IN ONE SENTENCE, HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE INTERNET?
A necessary time waster. HOW MANY CHICKENS WOULD IT TAKE TO KILL AN ELEPHANT?
Depends on which fast food outlet you bought the chicken from.
WHAT INANIMATE OBJECT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD ELIMINATE FROM EXISTENCE?
Selfies (hopefully).
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO SHARE?
Tools of trade.
IF YOU HAD THE POWER TO SHRINK ANY ONE OBJECT AND CARRY IT WITH YOUR IN YOUR POCKET, WHICH ITEM WOULD IT BE?
Refrigerator.
And a look at the draft...
Several of the draft are the members of the debut crops of exciting stallions including Pariah who has two, a colt out of the city winner Zaboss and a half-sister to the metropolitan winner Flying Touchdown from the Fanfreluche family.
There are not many Menaris around and the progeny of this Run To The Rose-Gr.2, 1200m winner should be in demand, including a son of the city winner Star Of Helicon.
The Gr.1 sprinter Spieth has two; a half-brother to the city winner Port Triano from the family of Zabeel and Twilight Payment and a colt from the family of triple Group One winner Yosei. Caravaggio has a colt from the family of Group One winners Sharvasti and Linton whilst Ribchester has a colt out of the four times winner Babelicious, sister to stakes winning juvenile Jackson.
Impending has the first foal for the city winner Lionel Left Me, a colt from the constantly stakes producing Emancipation family whose latest star members are the stakes winners Prague and Night Raid.
There are also several yearlings by stallions whose first foals have just got up and running including Astern whose half-brother to the five times Hong Kong winner Zero Hedge is out of a half-sister to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic-RL, 1200m winner Karuta Queen.
Champion 2YO Colt Shalaa already has a stakes winner (Shaquero, Breeders PlateGr.3, 1000m) and he has two in the draft, a filly out of a half-sister to Group Three mare Sookie (dam of Shadow Hero) and a colt out of the Listed winner Pergram.
Written Tycoon is delivering as a sire of sires and his fast son Winning Rupert has two in the draft, a filly out of a sister to the Listed winner Choistar and a colt out of the city winner Good Hunting.
Extreme Choice has made an encouraging start with two winners and the stakes placed Extreme Warrior amongst his first five runners. He has fillies out of the winning mares She Brings Hope and Victoria Heights.
American Pharoah has had just the one local runner but is faring well in the northern hemisphere with ten debut crop stakes winners. His filly is out of the Snitzel mare Nervous Nellie from the family of Zafonic.
Proven stallions also make their mark in the draft including Pierro (whose colt is out of the terrific producer Starspangled dam of Group One winners Funstar and Youngstar and grandam of Tofane) and So You Think (a filly out of Pink Rocks, grandaughter of the $5 million mare Milanova).
Smart Missile has three; a colt out of Margie ‘N’ Me (half-sister to Listed winner Stocks), a half-brother to the Group Two sprinter Alpha Miss and a colt out of six times winner Totally Devoted. Fellow Fastnet Rock stallion Foxwedge is represented by a filly out of the three times winner Spirit Of Pompeii, half-sister to the Group One placed Solar Antiquity .
The oldest progeny of Pride Of Dubai are just three and already he has been represented by seven stakes winners. His colt from the family of Zenyatta is out of a half-sister to stakes winner Monsili.
Also represented are the first Australian yearlings by No Nay Never whose stakes winner ratio sits at 9.2%. His colt out of the winner Montaza is a half-brother to the stakes placed Egyptian Bullet. Making up the draft is an Adelaide colt out of a half-sister to Listed winner Choistar, a Super One half-sister to recent winner Our Boy Trav and a Shooting To Win colt from the family of Fantastic Light.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire
1 C/B. Pariah Zaboss
431 F/B. Shalaa (IRE) Kaitlin Cove 592 F/B. American Pharoah (USA) Nervous Nellie
644 F/B. or Br. So You Think (NZ) Pink Rocks
679 C/B. Pride of Dubai Rafaela’s Aim 753 C/Br. Caravaggio (USA) Schifty Thinker
777 F/Ch. Extreme Choice She Brings Hope 831 C/Br. Pierro Starspangled (IRE)
902 C/B. Smart Missile Totally Devoted 929 F/B. Extreme Choice Victoria Heights (NZ)
982 C/B. Impending Lionel Left Me
997 C/B. Smart Missile Margie ‘n’ Me
1000 C/Ch. Shooting to Win Mercy’s Choice
1008 C/B. No Nay Never (USA) Montaza
1038 F/B. or Br. Shalaa (IRE) Pergram
1044 C/B. Spieth (NZ) Porte Triage
1071 F/B. Pariah Sea Gypsy
1084 C/Br. Adelaide (IRE) Singho
1094 C/Br. Smart Missile Soiree Girl
1097 F/Br. Foxwedge Spirit of Pompeii
1099 C/B. Menari Star of Helicon
1168 C/B. Ribchester (IRE) Babelicious
1175 C/B. Spieth (NZ) Best of You
1211 F/Br. Super One Corsa Rosa
1239 F/Ch. Winning Rupert Fascinating
1253 C/Ch. Winning Rupert Good Hunting
1268 C/Br. Astern Idriess
www.bownessstud.com.au
John North: 0428 846 270 john@bownessstud.com.au 2445 Moppity Road, Young, NSW
Present a stellar draft for MM 2021, Bluebloods spoke to stud manager John Kennedy
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
In Australia we have been very fortunate to be able to continue racing and trading in a way that is very close to normal, which is something that most other industries have not had the luxury of being able to do. In the long run I think it will have a positive impact on our industry. These unprecedented times have meant that people have had to embrace new technologies. This has been evidenced by the success of online sales, our racing being broadcast to new markets and studs conducting virtual stallion parades, all of which have helped open up our industry to a wider audience.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR 2021 MMGC DRAFT?
The yearlings are currently in the early stages of their preparation for the sale in January and we are extremely optimistic about the draft that we will present to the market. Through Fastnet Rock, Pierro, So You Think, Rubick, Pride Of Dubai, No Nay Never, Churchill, Caravaggio, Merchant Navy and American Pharoah, as well as the likes of I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Zoustar and Deep Field we are represented by a very well balanced group of sires. Fastnet Rock, Pierro and So You Think have firmly established themselves as leading proven sires in Australasia and have all enjoyed a fine start to the 2020/21 season and we are very excited about our up-and-coming young sires. Buyers will be presented with a very well presented draft of quality yearlings where there will be a horse to fit all budgets and personal preferences.
MERCHANT NAVY, CHURCHILL AND CARAVAGGIO ARE SIRES WITH GREAT CREDENTIALS FOR SUCCESS. WHY DO YOU THINK THEIR PROGENY CAN MAKE IT?
We are particularly excited about offering the first crops of Merchant Navy, Caravaggio and Churchill, three of the fastest sons of their respective world-class sires. Merchant Navy was a brilliantly fast son of Fastnet Rock, and is bred on the same cross as successful sire Hinchinbrook, being out of a Snippets mare. He was an outstanding sprinter who took on the best the world could offer by winning the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington and the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. His progeny have inherited many of his best traits, and we expect them to be very well received. Churchill is a horse that we have always thought would be particularly well suited to Australian conditions and we are delighted with the quality his
offspring. He’s an impeccably bred dual Group 1 winning European Champion two-year-old and dual Guineas winning miler at three from a very fast family. Galileo already has 19 sons that have produced Group 1 winners, including Teofilo and Frankel who have had considerable success here in Australia. Finally, Caravaggio was an outstanding Group 1 winner at both two and three who went unbeaten in his first starts. He is one of the fastest horses Europe has seen in recent times and the highlight of his career was his memorable win in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, beating Harry Angel and Blue Point. His progeny look just like he was, fast!
COOLMORE HAVE ENJOYED GREAT RESULTS WITH THEIR GRADUATES OF THE MMGC SALE. WHAT ARE SOME RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR HORSES REARED AT COOLMORE?
Success at the highest level for graduates of the farm is what we strive for in everything that we do at Coolmore Australia. The pastures and our staff at Coolmore are second-to-none and this has shown in the results on the track in recent years, a trend that has continued this year with 4 individual Group 1-winning graduates in 2020. Obviously Winx was raised and grazed on the farm and went through our 2013 Magic Millions yearling draft, however she is one of 8 Group 1-winning and 27 Stakes winning graduates of the farm since the start of 2019. Outside of Winx, some highlights from our recent Magic Millions offerings include Group 1 winners Vancouver, Sherwood Forest and Winning Ways and Stakes winners Rock, Love Tap and Game Keeper amongst others.
AMERICAN PHAROAH HAS CONTINUED TO EXCEL IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. YOU ARE HEAVILY REPRESENTED WITH HIS SECOND AUSTRALIAN CROP, CAN YOU DISCUSS WHY YOU THINK THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN AUSTRALIA?
American Pharoah has already established himself as a world-class sire with Stakes winners in America, France, England, Ireland and Japan, including two Group 1 winners on turf. The reports we are getting from his trainers throughout Australasia are overwhelmingly positive and we expect a number of them to be running and winning in the near future. His first Australian runner, Head Of State trained by Chris Waller, made a very encouraging debut in the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill, and we have very high hopes for him. The have great minds,
are very sound and they clearly love turf surfaces, so we are confident that they will thrive in Australian conditions.
IF ANIMALS COULD TALK, WHICH WOULD BE THE RUDEST?
Magpies
WHAT INANIMATE OBJECT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD ELIMINATE FROM EXISTENCE?
Speed cameras
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY POPULAR NOW, BUT IN 5 YEARS EVERYONE WILL LOOK BACK ON AND BE EMBARRASSED BY?
Tik-Tok
02 6576 4200, Jerrys Plains, NSW
• John Kennedy: 0432 559 828 | jkennedy@coolmore.com.au
• Colm Santry: 0412 344 566 | colm@coolmore.com.au
• Paddy Oman: 0408 456 964 | paddy@coolmore.com.au
• Tom Moore: 0432 050 940 | tmoore@coolmore.com.au
• Rob Archibald: 0438 458 137 | rarchibald@coolmore.com.au
• Emma Pugsley: 0421 410 457 | epugsley@coolmore.com.au
draft
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam
48 C/ B. Pierro Angel
55 F/ B. or Gr. Caravaggio (USA) Aqua d’Amore
80 C/ B. Fastnet Rock Ballet Suite
97 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Berrimilla
109 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Blue Blue Sky
110 F/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Blue Money
112 F/ B. Churchill (IRE) Bombay
123 F/ B. Redoute’s Choice Bubbleberry
124 F/ B. Zoustar Buccellati (NZ)
133 F/ Ch. No Nay Never (USA) Cancel
143 F/ Ch. Churchill (IRE) Cat’s Wish
163 C/ B. Fastnet Rock Ciarlet
207 F/ Ch. Pride of Dubai Danehill Smile
268 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Ennis Hill
283 F/ B. I Am Invincible Extra Olives
288 C/ Ch. Merchant Navy Face of the Earth
308 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Fiorentina
309 C/ B. Frankel (GB) Fire Opal (USA)
346 C/ B. Zoustar Global Glamour
366 F/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Haut Ton
381 C/ B. Churchill (IRE) Holy Moly (NZ)
434 C/ B. Snitzel Kangarilla Joy
462 C/ Br. Zoustar Lake Geneva
474 F/ Br. or Gr. Caravaggio (USA) Lectrice
479 C/ B. Fastnet Rock Lightstream (USA)
511 F/ B. Frosted (USA) Maka Ena
514 C/ Br. Caravaggio (USA) Malibu Road (USA)
518 F/ B. No Nay Never (USA) Mar Mara
539 C/ B. No Nay Never (USA) Midnight Ballet
558 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Mist (IRE)
578 F/ B. or Br. I Am Invincible Mumbai Rock
579 C/ B. Deep Field Murtle Turtle
582 F/ B. Snitzel Muzyka
587 C/ B. Pierro My Sanctuary (GB)
636 C/ B. I Am Invincible Petition
641 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Piccadillies
650 C/ B. Caravaggio (USA) Poetic Diva
652 C/ B. Rubick Ponterro
702 C/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Replique (NZ)
714 F/ B. Pierro Rock Giselle
727 F/ B. Churchill (IRE) Rotterdam
743 F/ B. or Br. Merchant Navy Santuzza (NZ)
805 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Smart Company
829 C/ B. Pierro Starfish
851 C/ Ch. American Pharoah (USA) Sundaze
860 F/ B. Fastnet Rock Sweet Sanette (SAF)
862 C/ Br. or Gr. American Pharoah (USA) Swift Lady (NZ)
864 C/ B. or Br. Pierro Syzygy Blossom
For a stud farm that falls neatly into the “boutique” category, George Altomonte’s Corumbene Stud continually produces horses of a quality which are the envy of some larger operations. Just this season the likes of Standout and Bottega have carried the orange, brown spots and white sleeves to Stakes success while Corumbene has also delivered two Golden Slipper winners, Overreach and Sebring who went on to a stellar stud career. No doubt the farm’s 2021 Magic Millions draft offers the opportunity to secure horses of similar talent.
The past twelve months have been a challenge for many, but for the team at Corumbene it was very much a case of business as usual. Hot on the heels of strong results on the Gold Coast last January cametheeyecatchingwinbyStandout(Exceed And Excel) in the Gr.2 Expressway Stakes at Randwickwhereadazzlingturnoffootsawthe colt leave the likes of Gr.1 winners Alizee and Kolding in his wake. Although worthy of a spot in The Everest it wasn’t to be and then nobody watching the consolation Gr.3 Sydney Stakes doubtedwhoshouldhavewon,insteadStandout wasbeatenalucklesshead.
Luck too deserted his stablemate Bottega (Snitzel). The colt looked an Autumn star on the rise with a pair of Group placings, defeat byamereheadanonunsuitableheavytrackin the Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate in a praiseworthy effort. Targeted at the Golden Eagle, the racing gods again failed to smile on Bottega, rain on the day providing bottomless ground, despite
which the horse came in a close up and gallant fifth. Undaunted, hopes remain high that both horses get their opportunity to display their full potential in the Autumn.
And so we look to the next generation of Corumbene stars and one of the overall highlights of the Gold Coast sale is Lot 619, a Corumbene offered colt by four-time Champion sire Snitzel out of the stud’s homebred Golden Slipper winner Overreach. The second foal of the dam and the first to go to auction, the colt carries the blood of two of Australia’s foremost current speed lines, Snitzel and Exceed And Excel. With her Slipper and Gr.2 Reisling Stakes’ wins and a close up third in the Gr.1 AJC Sires’ Produce, Overreach was the dominant filly of her generation and as such won the award for the Champion 2YO Filly for the 2012/13 season. Her dam, the Snippets mare Bahia, is fast gaining the reputation as a “blue hen” with six foals to race for five winners including Standout. And the one runner that remained a maiden was Outreach
who only faced the starter once breaking down when runner up in the Gr.3 Canonbury Stakes to that year’s Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in a very high rating race.
There are three generations of consistent success in this family, Bahia’s dam Miss Prospect, by influential speed sire and Golden Slipper winner Rory’s Jester, a three-time Listed winner at two and dam of the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort, himself a three-quarter brother to Overreach. And there is proven Gold Coast success in the family as well, Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester) being a three-quarter sister to Miss Prospect.
Buyers looking for a farm with proven Golden Slipper credentials should have Corumbene at the top of their list, for besides Overreach, they also bred and sold the 2008 winner in Sebring, and their draft on the Gold Coast will start with Lot 18, a smashing Epaulette filly out of his More Than Ready full sister Adria.
Hot on the heels of strong results on the Gold Coast last January came the eye catching win by Standout (Exceed And Excel) in the Gr.2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick where a dazzling turn of foot saw the colt leave the likes of Alizee and Kolding in his wake.
ability to sire a good horse and Corumbene will offer a colt of his out of Romincka, an unraced daughter of More Than Ready. Two from two with winners to runners, Romincka is a daughter of the Corumbene raced Hasna who was third in a Golden Slipper before carrying off the other two legs of the juvenile Triple Crown, the AJC Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes. The colt will sell as Lot 1061.
Lot 1131 from the Dunedoo farm is a son of the ultra-consistent Epaulette and the winning Written Tycoon mare Vanderlune, a half-sister to the grand old campaigner Testashadow (Testa Rossa), winner of over A$1.5 million in prizemoney. There is plenty of potential in this family which has also given us Zoustar.
The recent Doomben track record breaking win of Jonker reminded potential buyers of the class of horse his young sire Spirit Of Boom is capable of getting. Corumbene’s Spirit Of Boom filly out of the Sepoy mare Divinity has the genes to do something similar and will sell as Lot 1227. A first foal, her grandam Brothers Dream is a Redoute’s Choice half-sister to the previously mentioned Charge Forward. Their dam Sydney’s Dream won the Gr.1 Fillies Futurity in South Africa for the juveniles and her three-quarter sister Marskin won the Gr.3 Gimcrack Stakes before going on to produce the Corumbene raced Donna Natalia, another winner of the Gimcrack.
Exosphere’s stallion career has started in the best possible fashion siring the Gr.3 Magic Night Stakes winner Thermosphere. The purchasers of Lot 1142, an Exosphere filly out of Wings Of Success will be hoping that run continues. Wings Of Success is a daughter of Flying Spur and a three-quarter sister to the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic winner Alverta.
So, it can be seen that the Corumbene Magic Millions draft is both diverse and exciting. Who knows, there might just be another Overreach, Standout or Sebring amongst them.
A glance down the catalogue page confirms each generation of this family throws up a Stakes winning two-year-old. Adria’s dam Purespeed (Flying Spur) foaled Sebring, her dam Lady Moulin produced the top West Australian sprinter and Gr.3 Illawarra Classic winner Surtee (Memento) and in turn her dam Willowy (Better Boy) won the now Listed Fernhill Handicap before foaling Gr.2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Giostra (Imperial Prince). Those playing the percentages will know there is a better than average chance of Adria getting a high-class juvenile sooner rather than later.
The impact of Charge Forward as a broodmare sire of precocious types can’t be overestimated; think Golden Slipper winners Estijaab and She Will Reign, both out of mares by Charge Forward. Corumbene will offer a colt by Yes Yes Yes’ sire Rubick out of the young Charge Forward mare Avanzar as Lot 71. A handsome colt with an early foaling date, this fellow counts the Gr.1 winners Wandjina (Snitzel), Inspiration (Flying Spur), Masked Party (Marscay), Festal (Vain) and Dracula (Quest For Fame) amongst his relations. The buyers of Lot 785 will also be banking on getting an early comer given he is by Choisir, a consistent source of speed, out of Sheer Style. A fast daughter of Snitzel, Sheer Style’s three
career wins included success in the Magic Millions Ballarat Clockwise Classic along with a third in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic, a Restricted Listed race.
Corumbene will offer two colts by Sebring’s son Dissident, the former Australian Horse of the Year and sire of recent Gr.2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Yes Baby Yes.
The first to be offered will be Lot 1011, a striking colt who descends from one of the best families in the Australian Stud Book. His unraced dam Mossarama is a Mossman three-quarter sister to the outstanding broodmare Staging (Success Express), dam of the Stakes winners, and all later stallions, Duporth (Red Ransom), Excites (Danewin) and Tickets (Redoute’s Choice) and also to the grandam of multiple Gr.1 winner and sire Delago Deluxe (Encosta De Lago).
The other son of Dissident sells as Lot 1195 and is the second foal out of Celestial Choice, twice a winner up to 2200 metres in Sydney and a daughter of Redoute’s Choice. This colt carries the blood of the great Galileo through his second dam Sidereus Nuncius, a winner in New Zealand, while his third dam is the Gr.1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner Foxwood (Centaine), a solid producer of black type performers. So You Think is continually reminding us of his
18 F/ B. or Br. Epaulette Adria
71 C/ B. Rubick Avanzar
619 C/ B. Snitzel Overreach
785 C/ Ch. Choisir Sheer Style
1011 C/ Ch. Dissident Mossarama
1061 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Romincka
1131 C/ B. or Br. Epaulette Vanderlune
1142 F/ B. Exosphere Wings of Success
1195 C/ Br. Dissident Celestial Choice
1227 F/ Br. Spirit of Boom Divinity
The quality of pedigrees on offer in any Cressfield draft is always mouth watering, and this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling draft ticks all those boxes once again and with recent graduates like group placed three year-olds Aquagirl and Euphoric Summer, buyers can inspect with confidence.
Bluebloods spoke to Liesl Baumann about Cressfield’s draft and a few other interesting matters.
HOW HAS CRESSFIELD RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID19?
Tackling COVID19 in the workplace has definitely been a challenge from a number of angles. Horses don’t notice human pandemics, so we had to ensure that their care remained uninterrupted and maintained at a high level. We are fortunate enough that the workforce already operates largely separated in teams and we were able to continue to do this. We implemented a number of other measures such as daily temperature recording, extra cleaning and making sure sanitiser was on just about every fence post. As time has progressed, the challenge has been not to become complacent, to maintain hygiene standards, and keep the risks at the forefront of our minds.
There has been much discussion on how it has affected the industry in particular about how we get better at marketing our product. The relative success of the online sales has really enforced the importance of good quality media and its exposure. I think we will invest more in quality videos, photos, and their position online, rather than just relying on the physical inspection at the marketplace to sell horses.
WHAT ARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF WHERE YOU WORK?
No one ever gets to take Tuesday off. It’s our unofficial hump day. I think we all cope a little better once Tuesday is over.
We also have some written rules, nicely laminated on the notice board. Fairly standard stud rules; if you let go of a horse, let a horse through the crush, don’t latch a gate or sleep in, then you have to buy coffee for your work buddies. Unfortunately, WHS has eliminated our “pay for your mistakes with a carton of beer” policy but a well caffeinated work crew is probably a lot more efficient than a hungover one.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMAGINATIVE INSULT YOU CAN COME UP WITH?
I’m afraid I’m not terribly creative in this regard. My father in law, however, would undisputedly wear the crown for this. As anyone that has worked with Link Baumann (which is most of the
Hunter Valley) would know, his off the cuff, three sentence long insults are legendary.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO SHARE?
My toothbrush. And nor should I ever have to. Cressfield will present seven colts and three fillies at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. A stallion prospect beckons with the colt by All Too Hard from Gr.1 winner River Dove, making him a half-brother to promising sire and group winner Headwater. “The River Dove is an attractive colt with a balanced shoulder and hindquarter and fluid walk.”
Also by All Too Hard is a colt out of Gr.3 Bow Mistress Trophy winner Isibaeva, who won eleven races and is herself out of another tough racemare, Dragila, a multiple Listed winner of eleven races. “A sound, athletic style of colt who is thriving throughout the prep.” A colt by All Too Hard out of six race winner Nikkirina whose four to race are all winners. “A smart looking, sound colt with a lot of presence, correct and well developed.”
Cressfield have two colts by Merchant Navy, whose first yearlings will gain plenty of market attention, given that he’s a Royal Ascot winner who also won the stallion making Coolmore Stud Stakes. One colt is the second foal of a stakes placed two year-old winner, Shrill, who is closely related to dual Gr.1 winner Old Persian. “A strong well-muscled colt that stands over a bit of ground, good sized nostrils, developed gaskin and a lovely temperament to boot.”
Three of Cressfield’s Magic Millions colts are from one of their strongest families; that of recent VRC Oaks winner Personal, Procrastinate, Galapagos Girl, Laisserfaire, A Time for Julia, Time Thief, and Foreplay. The Merchant Navy colt is the first foal of winning mare Epitomise, who is a half sister to recent VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock), and with Merchant Navy being a son of Fastnet Rock, there is a close relationship between this colt and the Oaks winner. “A good-sized colt with solid bone, good feet and strong shoulder. One of his best attributes is his temperament, he is a sensible and intelligent colt.” The No Nay Never colt from Procrastinate family member and winning mare Floreana, who is a half-sister to Cressfield Magic Millions graduates Listed winner Villami and
group place winner Aquagirl. “A well related, refined style of colt, broad between the eyes and a zestful spirit.” The Shooting to Win colt out of Personal’s half-sister Personification is another from this family in this draft. His unraced dam has left four winners from as many to race.
“A scopey, athletic colt.”
Of the fillies in this draft, the Merchant Navy filly from dual Gr.1 winning sprinter Platelet will be highly sought after. Not only is her dam a quality racemare, but Platelet has started her stud career well with her first foal, a three quarter sibling to this yearling, already a winner.
“A beautiful filly, full of spirit, compact and with a business-like attitude.”
Cressfield will also offer two fillies by Cressfield bred group winner and sire Headwater; one from tough ten win race mare Snippetee Bee who is “a very racy looking filly with a feminine head, good shoulder and deep girth” while the other is out of Pfeiffer, a well related Storm Cat mare.
“A very strong, well developed precocious type of filly with a hefty hindquarter.”
Draft is all quality, small but select
Little wonder that Americain is Colleen and Kevin Bamford’s favourite horse, the couple amongst the proud owners cheering on the high class stayer to a memorable victory in the 2010 Melbourne Cup-Gr.1, 3200m.
The passion for the thoroughbred that led to their involvement in that wonderful stayer is now being channelled into Daisy Hill, a picturesque, purpose built stud set on 200 acres just 26km north-east of Melbourne; now also the home to Americain.
We had a chat to Colleen in the lead up to the Magic Millions.
“We are very excited to be offering our second Magic Millions draft. It is five-strong, a mixed bag to suit all briefs and budgets. All being Super VOBIS nominated offers buyers an added bonus.”
“Our yearlings are grown out on large undulating paddocks and are left to be horses. All have handled stable life well and just get on with the job. Purchasing a yearling with the HV brand you can be assured the horses will settle in well to the stable, will clean out their food and give everything asked of them.”
“With the farm producing just over 71% winnersto-runners from small drafts we believe that we are on the right track.”
LOT 47 - bay filly by Pierro from And Rock (by Fastnet Rock): a half-sister to the Group Three placed metropolitan winner Barcali (now racing well as Storm Warnings in Hong Kong), she is out of a stakes placed dual city winner from the family of Group Three winners Le Dejeuner and Ossie Pak.
“Being a November 21 foal this filly will be one of the youngest on the complex but don’t be discouraged by this as her sister (also a November foal) is showing a lot of promise with the trainer hinting that she will be a serious autumn two-year-old. She is by a leading
sire and every thing the mare has produced has won.”
LOT 79 - brown colt by Churchill from Bagitol (by Pierro): first foal for an unraced daughter of the speedy stakes winner Caliente from the family of the Group Two winning high class broodmare Staging.
“This fellow could be the smokey in the draft. He has a massive hindquarter, plenty of bone, a deep girth and plenty of room under the jowl. He is a horse who looks like he will run early, be that as a breeze-up horse or running in the big race here next year.”
LOT 809 - bay colt by Merchant Navy from So Pristine (by Zabeel): son of a Queen Of The South Stakes-Gr.2, 1600m winner who has already produced the multiple city winner So Wicked. “This fellow is pure class, an outstanding type who is hard to fault. Every one who has come to the farm says that he is the image of his dad. Being out of a Zabeel mare he is going to be more of a Classic type horse. There has been plenty of chatter about ‘the Merchant Navy from Daisy Hill’ and the best way to see what all the fuss is about is to come and see for yourself!”
LOT 1035 - bay filly by Epaulette from Paris Tryst (by Fusaichi Pegasus): a half-sister to five winners including the stakes placed multiple city winner Yulong Baby (to whom she is actually a three quarter-sister as Epaulette is by Commands, the sire of Yulong Baby) and recent metropolitan winner Frenzied, she is out of a daughter of the champion Let’s Elope who did a great job at stud producing two Group Two winners (Outback Joe and Ustinov) whilst her granddaughter Let’s Make Adeal is Group Three winner. And her great granddaughter Swats That this spring won the Champagne Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m and the Thoroughbred Club Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m before a gutsy second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m.
Swats That (by Shamus Award) recent Gr.3 winner and Gr.1 placed, her close relative is Lot 1035 in the Daisy Hill draft.
“She’s a nice forward filly with plenty of substance. She currently has Frenzied running around for Gai and Adrian; a promising stayer who has won three this preparation. Mick Price trained Yulong Baby and has also picked up the mare’s two-year-old by So You Think.”
LOT 1254 - bay filly by Hellbent from Great Panache (by Magnus): first foal for a good race mare, a half-sister to the city winner Denise’s Diamond, grandam of the Hong Kong stakes winner Nothingilikemore from one of Australia’s favourite families; that of Elvstroem, Haradasun, Starspangledbanner, Polar Success, Highland Reel and Circles Of Gold as well as the dual stakes winning three-year-old Ain’tnodeeldun who won three in a row over the recent spring carnival.
“One of the very few VOBIS Hellbents, she ticks a lot of boxes making her easy to syndicate. She is a nice correct filly who looks like she will go early.”
WE ASKED COLLEEN WHICH HORSE LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
“The Churchill colt out of a Pierro mare looks like a fast, two-year-old type.” IN 40 YEARS, WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE NOSTALGIC FOR?
“Free speech.”
WHAT WOULD BE THE COOLEST ANIMAL TO SCALE UP TO THE SIZE OF A HORSE?
“A cat. It would be an amazing Showjumper!” WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
“Americain for obvious reasons, I also think that Justify and Churchill will be very good sires, Toronado is doing a great job and of the first season horses I like I Am Immortal.”
The adage of a picture painting a thousand words certainly applies when looking at the accompanying photo of Glenfiddich in splendid isolation at Moonee Valley in the Gr.2 Bill Stutt Stakes. With the finish line approaching, the handsome son of Fastnet Rock has just “towelled up” a field brimming with Stakes winners by an untroubled two lengths. He is a class above and he is comfortably proving it. The image also speaks volumes for Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud, the colt carrying the IKS brand, the farm colours and having been part of the Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast draft in 2019.
The as yet unfinished tale of Glenfiddich is just one thread of what has been an extraordinarily successful 2020 on all frontsfortheWinghambasedStud.Atthissale in January Edinburgh Park sold its firstseven figure yearling when Gerald Ryan and David RaphaelpaidtheevenmillionforanExceedAnd ExcelcoltoutofSmokin’Alice.Thefollowingday that colt’s Fastnet Rock three-quarter brother Eleven Eleven won the rich Magic Millions 3YO
Guineas. A few months on and a brave Glenfiddich would be beaten a nose in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes before a third in the weight-for-age Gr.1
Memsie Stakes, and Rubisaki, a Rubick filly and $85,000 purchase from Edinburgh Park, ran up a sequence of six consecutive wins up to Gr.2 level, recouping her buyers 13.5 times her purchase price to date.
Glenfiddich, Eleven Eleven, Rubisaki and past champion Silent Witness, all carry the IKS brand
and all were offered for sale by Edinburgh Park. The next phase of the cycle of success begins back on the Gold Coast this January. Asked about what potential buyers can expect to find when inspecting the Stud’s draft in barns I & J, Ian said “The 2021 draft is typical of what Edinburgh Park produces year on year - precocious twoyear-old types that perfectly suit the Magic Millions market. Any one of the twenty horses in the Edinburgh Park draft could be a future star.
Undoubtedly, on strength, this is the best draft we have presented at Magic Millions and, in my opinion, they are an exceptional group of colts and fillies, a well-balanced draft. If I want to go to a happy place I just walk through the colt’s barn on the farm and I can’t find anything I’d want to change.”
Looking at the sires represented amongst their offerings, buyers have been spoilt for choice with stock by a broad cross-section of the best stallions in the country. There are yearlings by Champion Sires like Exceed And Excel, I Am Invincible, Not A Single Doubt, Written Tycoon and Zoustar, and proven stallions like Spirit of Boom, Deep Field and So You Think, along with first season sires like Merchant Navy, Invader and Hellbent. The choice on offer is certainly diverse.
Similarly, there are a broad range of female lines to choose from although there is one family that recurs, one that continues to serve the farm admirably. “Some years ago, I bought Gainesville, an American bred mare by Afleet,” Ian said. “From her we bred Rose Of Cimmaron (Bite The Bullet) who produced Bull Point (Fastnet Rock) who topped the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in 2012. Since then almost every sale we have sold at there has been at least one lot from the family in the draft. Last year’s $1 million colt is a good example having Darling Alice, Gainesville’s halfsister, as his grandam.”
Buyers will get another opportunity to tap into the same cross when Lot 677, a son of Exceed And Excel, enters the ring. He is the first foal of his multiple Stakes placed Kitten’s Joy mare Quiet Kitten that hails from that same successful Gainesville family. “He’s an exceptional first foal, comes with an early foaling date and ticks all the boxes for a typical Magic Millions type. He is bound to have plenty of admirers.”
Everyone loves an I Am Invincible colt and his son to be offered as Lot 128 is out of a proven producing mare in Caiguna, a daughter of a world class broodmare sire in Dubai Destination. A Listed winner and Gr.2 placed in Perth, Caiguna is the dam of Serena Bay whose first foal, a Not A Single Doubt colt, is also part of the Edinburgh Park draft as Lot 768. Serena Bay was an extremely fast Sebring filly, a winner of three of her six career starts and Gr.2 placed at Randwick at two. Another typical Magic Millions type, the colt is by the sire of the 2020 Golden Slipper winner.
Written Tycoon is the gun stallion in Australia at the moment and his son that sells as Lot 420, looks a jump and run type. Out of the Listed winner Jester’s Girl, a daughter of the exceptional broodmare sire Commands, he is a half-brother to Assimilate (Sebring) who was a Listed winner at three, and also to the promising Chicago Cub (Zoustar) a six-time winner for whom a Stakes success looks to be just around the corner. Jester’s Girl is out of How Funny, a Listed winner at two and runner up in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes and was a daughter of the prolific source of speed in Rory’s Jester, himself a Slipper winner. This colt looks the complete, readymade, Magic Millions two-year-old.
Edinburgh Park will also offer buyers the choice of a trio of smashing colts by Zoustar. “You wouldn’t wish for three better colts by the stallion. Zoustar is on an upward trajectory and all three colts are out of mares that are proven
producers,” said Ian. The colt out of Calcatta is a half-brother to the Stakes winners Tanker (Pride Of Dubai) and Lady Naturaliste (Choisir) while the colt out of the General Nediym mare Fortune Of War comes from one of the best families in the Stud Book, his dam being a halfsister to the recent Group winners Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) and Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral) along with the Gr.2 winner Sertorius (Galileo). The other colt is a half-brother to the Stakes placed Alburq (Rubick) and traces back to Eau d’Etoile, dam of the Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay amongst others.
Spirit Of Boom remains a consistent source of winners and speed, and again buyers have their pick of his progeny. Lot 73, a filly, is the first foal out of the speedy Commands mare Awasita who was good enough to win five races in and around Sydney and Melbourne. Neena Rock, the Fastnet Rock mare that won at Gr.3 level on both sides of the Tasman, is the dam of Lot 591, a filly that looks likely to hit the ground running. Then as Lot 624 there is the colt out of Paramount, a full sister to the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap winner La Montagna (Monashee Mountain) making the colt a half-brother to Eptimum (Snitzel), a Gr.3 winner in Melbourne now plying his trade in Hong Kong. Bound to be an early running type this colt offers options for buyers given he is fully paid up for both Super Vobis and QTIS.
The farm has had great success with the progeny of Rubick through Rubisaki and the Stakes placed Alburq, and they will offer another of his colts with a strong page as Lot 940. Speaking of the grey out of Waikato River, Ian commented “This fellow looks to me like he will be the next star by Rubick to come off Edinburgh Park. He’s out of a Savabeel mare who is a half-sister to the recent Stakes winners in Oceanex (Ocean Park) and Miss Aotearoa (Per Incanto) along with Amexed (Pentire). His Teofilo half-sister Spectacle was runner up at her second start and her trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have a big opinion of her.”
There are some exciting young stallions with their first yearlings to be offered in 2021 and amongst them is Merchant Navy. Edinburgh Farm’s draft will lead off with a filly by the dual Gr.1 winner from that Gainesville family as Lot 30.“She has plenty of quality and I think she is very much in the mould typical of Fastnet Rock fillies”, Ian explained. Her dam Alice’s Smart, by Smart Strike, was a winner at Keeneland and the dam of the Stakes performers Miss Wonderland (Snitzel) and Spencer (Pierro). She traces back to Gainesville through her dam Darling Alice (Northern Flagship) grandam of Glenfiddich and Eleven Eleven.
The farm has another Merchant Navy filly, this one out of Seventhchic that sells as Lot 771.
A granddaughter of Sadler’s Wells, Seventhchic was twice a winner in Sydney and is a speedy half-sister to Alburq (Rubick) who was Stakes placed at two in Melbourne. “This filly looks a sharp type who has been specifically sent to Magic Millions for those looking for an early runner.”
Another first crop youngster in the draft is Lot 530, a colt by Snitzel’s Gr.1 winning son Invader out of the Azamour mare Mediation. “I’ve got a lot of time for the stock of Invader and this fellow in particular will come to hand early. He can’t be faulted physically, is a quality horse with good presence about him, has a great
walk and looks to me the real deal. He caught my eye as a weanling and I’m glad I bought him as he has blossomed into a quality individual.”
The farm will also offer a daughter of Hellbent and Rawoof as Lot 685. “Our Hellbent filly is out of a mare by Lonhro, a proven broodmare sire, the dam being a half to that consistent sprinter Faatinah who has shown his talent both in Australia and against international opposition in Dubai. This is speed on speed here and ticks all the boxes for anyone looking to come back next year and win a Magic Millions 2YO Classic.”
You can see that the 2021 Edinburgh Park draft is of the highest order, and so it follows from there that photographers around the country can expect more finish line shots of the IKS brand or the distinctive yellow, red and white silks, to publish over the coming seasons.
Lot Sex/Col Sire
Dam
30 F/B. Merchant Navy Alice’s Smart (USA)
73 F/B. Spirit of Boom Awasita
128 C/Br. I Am Invincible Caiguna
130 C/B. Zoustar Calcatta
158 F/B. Deep Field Choix de Maia (NZ)
277 C/Br. Zoustar Euro Chic
327 C/Ch. Zoustar Fortune of War
420 C/B.Br. Written Tycoon Jester’s Girl
530 C/Ch. Invader Mediation (GB)
591 F/B. Spirit of Boom Neena Rock
624 C/B. Spirit of Boom Paramount
676 C/Br. So You Think (NZ) Quicksilver Lass
677 C/Ch. Exceed And Excel Quiet Kitten (USA)
685 F/B. Br. Hellbent Rawoof
768 C/Ch. Not A Single Doubt Serena Bay
771 F/Ch. Merchant Navy Seventhchic
940 C/Gr. Rubick Waikato River (NZ)
971 F/B. Menari Lake Hayes (NZ)
1117 F/Ch. Super One Temolie
1204 C/B. Better Than Ready Classical Lass
It’s an exciting time at Emirates Park. A new focus, a renewed commitment to breed and offer to the market the best horses possible, and the chance of a third Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes, which this time could be with an exciting homebred. General Manager Bryan Carlson took time out to discuss the farm’s 2021 Magic Millions draft and other things Emirates. 2021 VENDOR
For the first time since 2017 Emirates Park returns as a vendor under its own banner, and there can be no betterplacetostartthantheGoldCoastwhere the focus on precocity aligns perfectly with the Murrurundi farm’s business strategy. Bryan explained “Going forward Emirates Park will operateasaboutiquestud,focussingonquality broodmares able to deliver high value stock to the market with every horse entered for genuine sale. We’ve been fairly selective with whatwearesendingtotheGoldCoast,butthe sale fits well with our breeding philosophy as we aim to offer the market early two-year-old types,thekindofhorsessuitedtoMagicMillions inJanuary.”
Lookingoverthepagesofthefarm’sGoldCoast draft it becomes apparent Bryan and the team havestayedfaithfultotheirplan.Almostwithout exception,acasecanbemadethateachoftheir ten strong draft should make it as juveniles. Each page is littered with clues pointing the
prospective buyer to a Magic Millions 2YO Classic type, or even a Blue Diamond or Golden Slipper contender.
A perfect example is Lot 118 which will lead off the Emirates draft. A handsome son of the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper Stakes’ placed and promising first season stallion Flying Artie, the colt is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Boomex whose first foal to race is the talented Emirates owned three-year-old Marboosha (Dream Ahead). Patiently handled to date, three starts as a juvenile saw Marboosha win twice and be Stakes placed in the other race, while her two runs this Spring include a head defeat at the hands of the exciting Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.3 Red Roses Stakes down the Flemington straight where she was, arguably, on the wrong side of the track. And the family has a proven record when it comes to Stakes performed juveniles with Boomex being a halfsister to Boomwaa (Mutawaajid), winner of the Gr.3 Maribyrnong Plate.
Glen Latham
Fillies by Zoustar are highly sought after and as Lot 146 Emirates will offer a yearling bred on the same Zoustar – Charge Forward cross that has produced three-time Gr.1 winner and A$6.5 million earner Sunlight. This lass is out of the young mare Cavalry Rose, another precocious type who was twice a winner at two and beaten a nose in the Gr.2 Magic Night Stakes. Cavalry Rose then trained on to win the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield as a three-year-old. And, of course, Charge Forward mares have had a significant influence on recent Golden Slipper results producing the back-toback winners She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) and Emirates’ own Estijaab (Snitzel). Further down the page amongst a gaggle of black type horses can be found Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap winner and exciting young sire Brutal (O’Reilly).
As Lot 306 Emirates will offer a smashing colt that has the potential to be a sale topper. By I Am Invincible, he is a half-brother to Enthaar (Written Tycoon) and carries with him the
possibility of being a half relation to a Golden Slipper winner just a few weeks after he sells. And there is nothing to suggest he won’t make a name for himself in any case, his winning dam Final Agreement (Not A Single Doubt) being a full sister to Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda. Final Agreement’s grandam Euphoria (Marauding) won the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes at two and her grandam is the great Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar), herself second in a Slipper.
Again, the theme of two-year-old speed is to the fore with Lot 612, a son of Not A Single Doubt and One More Honey (Onemorenomore) winner of the Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes. The family is known for throwing a type, an Emirates Park offered colt by Snitzel out of One More Honey’s dam One Funny Honey fetching $800,000 out of this sale in 2020.
Lot 745 offers buyers an interesting mix of the best sire lines in Australia at the moment. The filly is a daughter of Written Tycoon, a sire that gets Blue Diamond Stakes winners like Written By and then performs the unusual feat of siring two Classic winners in 40 minutes when Odeum and Ole Kirk took the Guineas’ double at Caulfield in the Spring. This filly’s dam is Sarah Jessica, a winner at her only start and a daughter of Redoute’s Choice from the family of Not A Single Doubt and the Golden Slipper winner Forensics. There is much to like about these Group One bloodlines.
The Book One draft of Emirates Park finishes with Lot 869, another colt by Written Tycoon this time out of Taqaseem by Medaglia d’Oro. With Taqaseem the dam of the promising Qualis (Fastnet Rock), the colt comes from a strong family which includes Gr.1 Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion (Street Sense) who is a halfbrother to this colt’s dam, and the tough Gr.1 winning sprinter-miler Rewaaya (Singspiel).
Emirates have a trio of entries in Book 2 led off by Lot 1066, a daughter of the consistent stallion Epaulette out of the three-time winner over sprint trips in Modha by Canny Lad. Modha is a three-quarter sister to dual Gr.1 winner He’s No Pie Eater (Canny Lad) from the family of Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors to name a few. The farm will also offer a Flying Artie filly out of the winning Dream Ahead mare Azyaan from the family of Encosta De Lago and Flying Spur as Lot 1167, and a Spirit Of Boom filly out of Bernardini’s daughter Highdini as Lot 1260. This filly counts Emirates three-time Gr.1 winner Shamekha (Secret Savings), her Gr.2 winning daughter Shumookh (Dream Ahead) and former leading Queensland based sire Brave Warrior in her family.
The upcoming sales season isn’t the only cause for optimism at Emirates. The farm’s trophy cabinet is already adorned with a pair of Golden Slipper trophies and hopes are high room will have to be made for a third. Mossfun (Mossman) in 2014 and Estijaab (Snitzel) four years later carried the green and white colours of Hussain Lootah, and Enthaar (Snitzel) in the same silks may provide a third, an effortless three length Gr.3 Gimcrack Stakes win the best performance by a juvenile this season, at time of writing.
While Emirates may return to standing stallions sometime in the future, plans are already afoot for the 2023 sales season and beyond signalled by the recent acquisition of Tassort (Brazen
Looking over the pages of the farm’s Gold Coast draft it becomes apparent Bryan and the team have stayed faithful to their plan. Almost without exception, a case can be made that each of their ten strong draft should make it as juveniles.
Beau). Bryan explained “In line with our vision we have bought a lovely horse in Tassort in partnership with Newgate Farm. Although lightly raced, both his starts rated highly and he ticked all our boxes including, importantly, being a preChristmas two-year-old. I think Brazen Beau is on course to follow his sire I Am Invincible, so we think it was a logical step to secure his son with proven two-year-old credentials.” A solid debut book of mares is promising for the horse, just one exciting part of the Emirates Farm future.
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
Bryan: “As an outdoor operation that tends to deal locally, we haven’t really been impacted. We’ve had to maintain the relevant protocols when it comes to contractors and the like, but all told we’ve coped with things pretty well.”
WHICH ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
Bryan: “Away from the top echelon I have a soft spot for two stallions, Puissance De Lune and Your Song. Puissance De Lune has been quietly going about his business and just needs the one good horse to put him under everyone’s noses while Your Song always seems to have a good horse around to keep him in the limelight.”
WHICH HORSE IN YOUR DRAFT LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
Bryan: “While the half-brother to Enthaar is an obvious candidate I think the Not A Single Doubt –One More Honey has the physique to impress and the pedigree to back it up.”
It is a particularly exciting sales season for Eureka Stud, their star resident Spirit Of Boom represented by his best yearlings yet.
On the back of his stunning early success both on the track and in the ring, Eureka were able to support him all the more, seeking out and purchasing well related mares especially for him.
“And this season’s yearlings are the result,” Harry McAlpine said.
Nine of Spirit Of Boom’s best youngsters make up part of the Magic Millions Eureka draft and are bound to prove popular on the back of recent wins by his talented progeny such as Jonker, putting him in the top 10 sires of Australia for winners this season. They will enter the ring in the following order:
LOT 63: bay colt out of Assertory (by Not A Single Doubt): first foal for a multiple city winning halfsister to the stakes placed Magic Jet.
LOT 211: bay colt out of Darook Park (by Darci Brahma): half-brother to recent Maribyrnong Plate-Gr.3, 1000m winner Finance Tycoon.
LOT 408: brown filly out of Iridescente (by Commands): half-sister to the Listed winner Peacock out of a Sandown winning half-sister to the Hong Kong star Absolute Champion and the South African Group One winner Wylie Hall.
LOT 493: bay colt out of Lucky Toss (by Dash For Cash): brother to the stakes winner Champagne Boom from one of Eureka’s most prolific families.
LOT 628: bay colt out of Passara (by Tsuimai): brother to the Vo Rogue Plate-Gr.3, 1350m and Magic Millions Guineas-RL, 1400m winner Boomsara and half-brother to the stakes placed multiple city winner Sarisara.
LOT 656: bay filly out of Prada Miss (by Northern Meteor): she is the first foal for a stakes placed four times winner whose dam is a half-sister to the Group Two winner Our Famous Eve.
LOT 898: bay colt out of Tiyatrolani (by Captain Sonador): first foal for a fast stakes winner from the family of the Group One winners Duporth, Excites and Delago Deluxe.
LOT 1115: bay colt out of Tarffeite (by Snitzel): dam is a half-sister to the Queensland GuineasGr.2, 1600m winner Express Air. Three of the four Spirit Of Boom runners out of Snitzel mares are winners and two of his stakes winners boast this Semipalatinsk cross.
LOT 1171: bay filly out of Beguile (by Elusive Quality): her two times winning city placed dam has produced the eight times winner Boingo. Hails from one of Australia’s favourite families, that of the great broodmare Circles Of Gold.
The remainder of the Eureka draft is also strong with two sons of Commands represented; one by Epaulette (a daughter of the very fast Sequalo mare Epsilon and a sister to this season’s multiple city winner Baroda) and the other by Holler (a daughter of the Group Two winner Renaissance).
There is also a lovely colt by Exceed And Excel (out of the stakes winning juvenile Malasun and another by that great sire’s son Headwater , this colt being a brother to this year’s Ken Russell Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m winner Wisdom Of Water whilst fellow members of the Danehill sire line are also of great appeal, such as a Rothesay colt out of the Doomben winner Star Drop and a Jukebox half-brother to the Group Three galloper Spirits Aubeer.
Nine of Spirit Of Boom’s best youngsters make up part of the Magic Millions Eureka draft and are bound to prove popular
The Encosta de Lago line also makes its mark with two youngsters by Vanbrugh (a half-sister to the multiple city winner Photon Willie and a grandson of the stakes winner Greta Hall) and one by Rubick, a colt from the family of the 2020 Magic Millions 2YO Classic-RL, 1200m winner Away Game.
Three fine yearlings by Rageese are also of interest; a colt whose third dam is the $5 million mare Milanova, a half-brother to the stakes placed Coachella and a colt out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Upstaged.
A couple of Winning Ruperts are bound to be keenly inspected; a son of Express Air and a filly out of a half-sister to Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom. Making up the draft are the progeny of Lonhro (a filly from the family of Samantha Miss), Shalaa (a colt out of a half-sister to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Karuta Queen), Vancouver (half-brother to the stakes placed Tick Tock Boom and Boomtown Lass), Better Than Ready (another out of a half-sister to Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom) and American Pharoah (son of the Singapore Champion Filly Mexican Rose).
So which of these well related youngsters does Harry McAlpine think will be the most likely to be in the thick of things come Golden Slipper and Magic Millions time 2022? “I’d say any of the Spirit Of Booms, Headwater and the Exceed And Excel. But horses tend to make fools of us.”
“If you had asked me the same question last year I would’ve said that the two least likely to be early types were Finance Tycoon and Sunfall; the former won the Maribyrnong Plate and the latter ran fifth in the Merson Cooper at his first start!”
Main picture: Finance Tycoon wins the Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup day 2020. His halfbrother is offered as lot 211.
Inset: Wisdom of Water winning the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial. His full brother is offered as lot 699.
2021 VENDOR
Evergreen Stud Farm sits on 500 well watered acres at Heatherbrae, fronting the Hunter River. Managing Director Tony Bott is one of the best known, most well respected figures in the industry, his wealth of knowledge and experience has overseen the success of Evergreen’s dual breeding and racing arms. He told Bluebloods, “I’ve seen just about everything in my time in the industry, but nothing quite like 2020 and the COVID pandemic. But if you want to survive in this industry you have to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances, as we had to previously with the EI outbreak. COVID was another, even a bigger global challenge, not just one for the thoroughbred industry. We have been very lucky that racing continued and that despite some restricting circumstances, we were able to keep trading bloodstock throughout the year. I’m particularly pleased we’ve been able to get through to the 2021 Magic Millions with a draft of ten very fine yearlings, some of the best we’ve ever prepared at the farm.”
As this preview was going to press, the circumstances changed again, this time for the better, with the announcement of the finish of quarantine requirements for visitors and
returning residents to Queensland after the 1st of December. This should ensure a healthy buying bench at Magic Millions and the Evergreen draft is one well worth inspecting. They will enter the ring in the following order –
Lot 81 brown colt by Deep Field out of Bang On by Pins. By a prolific young leading sire out of a mare by the crack broodmare sire Pins, this colt’s second dam is Gr.1 winner Critic from the family of Gr.1 winners Grunt, Prince Kaapstad and Ocean Park who is now a fine sire in his own right. This colt is a half-brother to a winner and is from one of the best families in Australasia.
Lot 275 bay colt by Flying Artie out of Estonian Princess by Snitzel. This colt is by Gr.1 winner and exciting young first season sire Flying Artie out of a Gr.3 winner of over $450K, bred on similar lines to Gr.1 winning juveniles Invader and Summer Rain.
Lot 665 by colt by Pierro out of Princess Mia by Fastnet Rock. By the rising star in Australian sire ranks, out of a multiple winning daughter of triple Gr.1 winner Princess Coup ($3.6 million), this colt is bred on the sensational Pierro/Danehill cross. His 19th August foaling date completes the picture.
Lot 718 bay colt by Deep Field out of Role Model by Bel Danoro. This colt is the third foal of a Gr.2 and Gr.3 runnerup from the family of Gr.2 winner and sire Sidereus and the hugely talented Velrosso SW of 6 races and $500K plus. The Northern Meteor/ Danehill mix has produced Gr.1 and elite winners Zoustar, Speak Fondly, Cosmic Endeavour, Madame Rouge and superstar Sunlight (2nd dam by Danehill.)
Lot 926 brown colt by So You Think out of Vanilla Princess by Lonhro. This colt is a half-brother to two winners, his dam’s first two to race, and is the second colt in the draft from a winning daughter of the mighty triple Gr.1 winning mare Princess Coup 12 wins $3.6 million. IMPORTANT NOTE: There is only one runner so far by So You Think out of a Lonhro mare and it’s the Gr.1 placed $1.5 million earner So Si Bon, one of Australia’s top WFA performers. A “must” inspect.
Lot 1033 chestnut colt by Capitalist out of Panda’s Turn by Encosta de Lago. By Golden Slipper winner and a leading current first season sire Capitalist out of a mare by multiple champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago, who is leading the list again. Dam is a half-sister to dual Gr.1 winner Riva San, winner of both the Qld Oaks and Derby. Family of flying sprinter Sheriff John Stone.
Evergreen has five yearlings each in Books 1 and 2 at Magic Millions... our team is looking forward to parading them for potential buyers. They won’t be disappointed.
Lot 1122 chestnut colt by Winning Rupert out of Tiger Cat by Tiger Hill. This colt is a half-brother to SP Meikas from the family of champion sprinter and leading sire Zeditave. The family is the finest in the Stud Book, responsible for superstars such as Zeditave, Alannon, Melito, Norzita, Carif and Greys Inn just to mention a few. Tiger Hill is broodmare sire of seven Gr.1 winners including Aristia and Almandin.
Lot 1077 bay filly by Reward For Effort out of Shao Shao by Shinko Forest. This filly is by the prolific winner getting son of champion Exceed and Excel in Reward For Effort and is a half-sister to Gr.3 winner, multiple Gr.2 placed She Shao Fly ($333K) and to SP Samurai Blade. Family of Dao Dao, Silky Red Boxer and HKGr.1 winner All Thrills Too. A quality filly with a Gr.1 pedigree. Lot 1234 brown or grey colt by Caravaggio out of Emancipationist by Elusive Quality. With an early
Left: So You Think (by High Chaparral), whose brown colt out of Vanilla Princess is Lot 926 in the Evergreen draft. The only runner to date by So You Think out of a Lonhro mare is Gr.1 placed $1.5 million earner So Si Bon. Below: Evergreen Stud Farm’s Managing Director Tony Bott
foaling date, this colt is by one of the world’s top sprinters of recent times out of the family of champion sire Fastnet Rock. He is a half-brother to two winners and is bred on one of the world’s most constantly successful crosses, the Storm Cat/Mr Prospector broad cross.
Lot 1238 chestnut filly by Invader out of Fantasy Quest by Starcraft. The second of the two Evergreen fillies is the second living foal of a granddaughter of multiple Group winner Sneetch, dam of Gr.1 winner Black Mamba and grandam of Gr.1 winner Roman Emperor. She is from the first crop of multiple champion sire Snitzel’s Gr.1 winning 2YO Invader.
Evergreen has five yearlings each in Books 1 and 2 at Magic Millions with Tony Bott commenting, “I think our yearlings are all well placed and will be worth inspecting in their respective books. With close relations to and descendants of such great gallopers as Fastnet Rock, Zeditave, Roman Emperor, Princess Coup, All Thrills Too, and Riva San, our team is looking forward to parading them for potential buyers. They won’t be disappointed. To finish our interview, I asked Tony Bott which stallions are on his radar. He replied, “Among the proven brigade we’ve supported Pierro and So You Think, who was particularly good value this season, and also Written Tycoon and Dundeel, both doing a great job. For a premium commercial mare that warrants a high service fee I Am Invincible and Snitzel are great sires. Among the younger brigade, we have some nice Shalaas on the farm, Capitalist and Flying Artie are both off to a good start, while Russian Revolution is another with good prospects.”
81 C/ Br. Deep Field Bang On (NZ)
275 C/ B. Flying Artie Estonian Princess
665
2021 VENDOR
What an impressive debut it was for the Breeders Plate-Gr.3, 1000m winner Shaquero at Randwick in October, trainer Chris Waller describing the colt as a horse with “class written all over him.”
As does the exciting Hong Kong galloper Excellent Proposal who won three in a row (from just four starts) for the John Size stable, a crack at the prestigious Hong Kong Derby-Gr.1, 2000m beckoning.
Both horses are Fernrigg Farm Magic Millions graduates and again in 2021 there is considerable strength to their horses on offer, a group of well related yearlings by a mixture of proven and upand-coming stallions.
Clearly in the former ranking is boom sire Written Tycoon who has three in the draft; the second foal
for the Group Three mare Crucial, a son of the Group Three winner Travesura and a filly out of a half-sister to Linton.
Written Tycoon’s son Capitalist has a colt out of the city winner Theorize, a sister to the stakes winner Samantha and a filly from the family of VRC OaksGr.1, 2500m winner Personal. Zoustar meanwhile has a half-brother to the city winner Pegapus, a half-sister to the stakes placed Aidensfield and a filly out of another half-sister to Linton.
Not A Single Doubt has a colt from the family of Criterion whilst Exceed And Excel has the first foal for Annie’s Luck, a half-sister to the Group Three winner Translate. Snitzel’s sons Russian Revolution and Invader are both represented, the former by a son of the stakes winner Capar Girl and the latter by a colt closely related to Estijaab.
I Am Invincible has the first foal for the stakes placed Unequivocal, whilst Pride Of Dubai has a daughter of the stakes placed Golden Phoenix and a colt out of a half-sister to the outstanding broodmare Sun Shower.
Deep Field is represented by a colt out of a halfsister to the stakes placed Upshot and a colt from the family of the Coolmore Classic-Gr.1, 1500m winner Alverta whilst Nicconi is the sire of the first foal for the winner Immortal Miss from the family of Shadow Hero, Appearance and Victory Vein.
Sebring has a filly out of the winner Adsila, a half-sister to the Listed winner Zubbaya whilst Caravaggio is the sire of the second foal for De Oro, a 3/4 sister to the classy Hong Kong sprinter Hot King Prawn.
It is always great to catch up with Fernrigg’s RaeLouise Kelly...
DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021 WITH HIGHLIGHTS
This year’s draft is particularly exciting as we have planned most of the matings and all but six of the yearlings carry our brand. Over recent years the property has produced tough, top quality racehorses and this year is no exception. We have selected a group of well developed, precocious individuals all well suited to this early sale and I suspect there will be a few early two-year-old runners amongst them. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and our small team of dedicated professionals work tirelessly from the day each horse is born to ensure that they are given every opportunity to realise their potential.
A stand-out is the gorgeous black filly out of Heather’s Grace by ‘sire on fire’ Written Tycoon. She was the first born in 2019 and naturally fell into a dominant position. She became famous amongst our team for running towards them at full speed, swinging around and presenting them with her huge hindquarters for a bum scratch and then, as soon as the scratches stopped she’d let rip at you with both back feet and take off running. She is a very well-balanced filly with great strength and real presence.
Lot 91 is a colt by one of my favourite stallions Not A Single Doubt and there is no questioning who daddy is. He is very typical of what you
Over recent years the property has produced tough, top quality racehorses and this year is no exception. We have selected a group of well developed, precocious individuals all well suited to this early sale
would expect to see from the sire; good bone, short cannons, strong hip and shoulder, athletic stride and a big white blaze. He is a really speedy looking two-year-old type with a flawless attitude.
Lot 580 is an absolute Queen by Zoustar who we all know can give you a serious filly! She has a pedigree full of speed and boasts plenty of upside with Aidensfield being so promising. She has great scope, natural strength and that wonderful Zoustar action.
IN ONE SENTENCE, HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE INTERNET?
Why did I spend so many years in school?! #google
IF YOU HAD THE POWER TO SHRINK ANY ONE OBJECT AND CARRY IT WITH YOU IN YOUR POCKET, WHICH ITEM WOULD IT BE?
Padraig and I enjoy camping and exploring hidden treasures. There are so many stunning places in Australia, and I always think to myself how amazing it would be to have one of my horses there to go galloping across an untouched, white beach, or through a tranquil, mountainous, national park. Therefore, it would be really cool if I could just pull Gilbert, Charlie or William out of my pocket.
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING A GUEST HAS DONE AT YOUR HOUSE?
Anyone who knows her would not find this weird, but Padraig’s colleague Fiona stayed over one evening and I thought it strange that she disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower, without a towel. It turned out she assumed the new towel with “Mrs” inscribed on it was for girls and the one with “Mr” on it was for boys. They were actually our wedding towels inscribed with our wedding date, folded neatly on display.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam 2021 draft
50 C/ B. Exceed And Excel Annie’s Luck
51 C/ Br. Pride of Dubai Annulment
91 C/ Ch. Not A Single Doubt Belle Que
136 C/ B. Russian Revolution Capar Girl (USA)
165 C/ Ch. Zoustar Cinderellas Secret
196 F/ Br. Written Tycoon Crucial
352 F/ Ch. Pride Of Dubai Golden Phoenix (USA)
369 F/ Blk. Written Tycoon Heather’s Grace
536 F/ B. or Br. Zoustar Metza
580 F/ B. Zoustar Muscovado
710 C/ B. Deep Field River Tay
885 C/ Ch. Capitalist Theorize
905 C/ Ch. Written Tycoon Travesura (USA) 918 F/ B. I Am Invincible Unequivocal
965 C/ B. or Br. Invader Kings Concubine
1041 C/ B. Deep Field Petit Cheval
1129 F/ Ch. Capitalist Undoubted Pleasure
1149 F/ Ch. Sebring Adsila
1223 F/ Br. or Gr. Caravaggio (USA) De Oro
1269 C/ Ch. Nicconi Immortal Miss
Kelly: 0452 531 561
Among the various strands that make up the Thoroughbred industry, once in a while someone takes the leap to start their own venture and quickly produces results that demand our attention. When talking about sale preparation in that context it is Kandice Pritchard and KBL Thoroughbreds that leap to mind. With some serious runs already on the board it is hard to believe this will be just the fourth Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale where KBL will have the shingle out. 2021 VENDOR
It is the second day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale of 2019 and Lot 320, a colt by Zoustar, walks to the stage. Very much built in the mould of his sire, he is out of the Listed placed Al Maher mare Acouplamas and at this point in time his three-year-old half-brother, The August, has twice been Group placed and his year older half-brother by So You Think, Quick Thinker, is still three months off making his race debut. A few minutes later the gavel falls, and the colt leaves the stage, the screen above him showing a final bid of $1,075,000. It’s nothing out of the ordinary for a youngster with such quality to reach seven figures, what is unusual is that his vendor KBL Thoroughbreds has only been operating as an entity for two tender years. Successful sale preparation businesses can go decades without being entrusted with such a horse, yet KBL were charged with presenting this colt a little over a year after opening up shop. A string of exceptional results since have proven the Zoustar was no fluke, a $7000
pinhook returning $300,000 for a client and a $40,000 Zoustar reselling for $500,000 amongst others, all further cementing KBL’s reputation at the top end amongst consignors.
When discussing the draft Kandice gave an insight into the lengths KBL go to when preparing to go to auction. “This is our biggest draft and this is where we have always wanted to be as a business. It helps that I love prepping yearlings over anything, it’s definitely my passion. We start from 3.30 every morning so we can work the horses before it gets hot. We are constantly looking over the horses, four to five times a day on average, watching things like feeding habits, and we will generally have one final look over them again at 8pm. It is a lot of work, but I love seeing the finished product and enjoy taking them to the sales and presenting them.” From watching the KBL team in action it is clear there is a strong emphasis on attention to detail and meeting the horse’s needs happening here.
It is testament to the skills of Kandice and her team that KBL will attend all major sales and that boxes for the 2021 Sales season are already at capacity. “Each sale rolls into the next and because once we are finished with Magic Millions January, we then head to Sydney, then its back to the Gold Coast for the QTIS sale then it is Easter and back for the Magic Millions National Sales, the programs cross over and we are always at full capacity. To be at this level so quickly for us is a dream come true.”
Kandice is looking forward to January and heading to the Gold Coast. Magic Millions starts the annual Sale season and it is known as a yearly highpoint for many in the industry. “The atmosphere on the Gold Coast is really good. Everyone is there, ready to go for another sales season and as it is your first draft to show for the year it is the first opportunity to be rewarded for your hard work,” said Kandice. Asked if KBL targets a particular type of horse to the Gold
Coast she explained “There is a certain sort of type, but more importantly the horse has to have a pedigree page. The horse really needs some pedigree that is going to appeal to people.
The aforementioned, high priced, Zoustar colt was sold on behalf of respected industry figure Andrew Bowcock who spotted Kandice’s potential and pushed her to start up KBL. “It was Andrew that encouraged us to go out on our own and our first draft as KBL, at Magic Millions in 2018, consisted entirely of his horses.” That business relationship remains strong to this day and on behalf of Bowcock and his partners KBL will try and repeat the Zoustar score with five quality yearlings.
They lead off with Lot 89, a Nicconi filly who looks
It is testament to the skills of Kandice and her team that KBL will attend all major sales and that boxes for the 2021 Sales season are already at capacity.
likely to go fast. By the same sire as Nature Strip, the filly is out of the Beautiful Crown mare Bella Corona who was a Listed winner at two and has produced six winners including the three-time Listed winner Bewhatyouwannabe (Fastnet Rock).
They follow her up with Lot 341, a Zoustar colt out of Girl In Flight by Commands. A more than useful filly on the track winning four times to Gr.3 level, Girl In Flight has had just the one foal to race to date, her daughter Night Witches (I Am Invincible) winning again recently at Moonee Valley, a third career success. “This is a readymade racehorse, he has length and scope, a real athlete with a walk and temperament to match.”
Lot 631 is another Bowcock owned Zoustar colt, this one out of the Listed winner as a juvenile Pearl Star (Star Witness) while his grandam Pearl Of The Sea (Fastnet Rock) was placed fourth in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes. “This fellow will be towards the top of the sale oozing quality as he does” offered Kandice. “The stars have aligned to produce this fellow and there is already a lot of industry talk about him.”
KBL will also present, on behalf of Bowcock Bloodstock and Stanley River Thoroughbreds, Lot 468, a Deep Field filly out of Laugh A Little, a daughter of Lonhro and the Danehill mare Chuckle. This is a speedy family that has produced the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Catnipped. “I like this filly. She is a really strong, forward, two-year-old type,” said Kandice. Laugh A Little is a half sister to the Gr.2 Villiers Stakes winner Crack Me Up (Mossman) and Grade 3 winner Hoofit (Mossman).
Amongst the Book Two lots that the partnership will put forward is Lot 1106, a Charge Forward lass out of the Beautiful Crown mare Suffer In Silence which makes the filly a three-quarter sister to Response, the dam of Gr.1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab (Snitzel). Bowcock and KBL will also offer a colt by Super One out of La Femme Fatale (Fastnet Rock) that traces back to the Magic Millions winner Dancer’s Joy (Danzatore) as Lot 969.
Picking a few lots from the rest of the draft, Russian Revolution’s first crop daughter out of the highly talented Denman mare Denpurr will sell as Lot 222 and Kandice is delighted with her progress. “She is the first foal of the dam and she is an absolute beauty. She already looks a picture well before sale time. As they say, she is a type!” Denpurr won four times in Sydney and was Listed placed in Melbourne.
This sale represents the first opportunity for the market to buy yearlings by Spieth and KBL have a smashing colt of his out of the dual Gr.3 winning mare Triple Asset by Nadeem. “He is a really nice horse, a good type,” said Kandice. The colt comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner and successful sire Marauding.
Timing can be everything in selling a horse and in Lot 987’s case the catalogues went to print just before an important family update. By Spill The Beans out of the three-time winning General Nediym mare Love Of Liberty, the colt is a full brother to Ellsberg, who, at just his third start was placed third in the recent Gr.3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
Lot 1087 is a well put together Star Turn filly out of Testa Rossa’s daughter Sky Rubi. “Last year the mare’s Starcraft colt sold for $340,000 and this filly is equally beautiful. She’s a halfsister to the four-time winner Pinnacle Star (Starspangledbanner) and to a metropolitan winner who was placed fourth in a Gr.3 in California Honey (Starspangledbanner).”
Another first crop sire on show on the Gold Coast is Hellbent and Kandice likes the look of
Lot1064.ThecoltisoutoftheRedoute’sChoice mare Rupavari, a daughter of the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner Clean Sweep (End Sweep) and a $310,000 yearling whose firstfoaltoraceisawinner.TheIAmInvincible/ Redoute’s Choice cross has worked time and timeagain.
AsidefromthosewehavementionedKBLhavea hostofhorsesthatwillbepopular.Therearecolts byPrideOfDubai,Toronado,BrazenBeau,Spirit OfBoom,HighlandReel,Rubick,Invader,Flying Artie, Epaulette, Starcraft, Better Than Ready, Exosphere and, perennial favourite, Choisir for buyers to look over. And there is no shortage of talent amongst the fillies with daughters of MerchantNavy,SoYouThink,PrideOfDubai,No NayNever,DivineProphetandanotherRussian Revolutionawaitingyourinspection.
10 C/ B. Pride of Dubai A Saucy Snitzel
68 C/ B. Toronado Attessa
89 F/ Br. Nicconi Bella Corona
218 C/ B. Brazen Beau Dejavu Rock
222 F/ Ch. Russian Revolution Denpurr
341 C/ B. Zoustar Girl in Flight
468 F/ B. Deep Field Laugh a Little
554 C/ Br. or Blk. Spirit of Boom Miss Pelear
602 C/ Ch. Zoustar Nobody Gets
631 C/ B. Zoustar Pearl Star
648 F/ Br. Merchant Navy Platinum Express (NZ)
731 F/ Br. Impending Ruby Ninetalis
856 C/ B. Highland Reel (IRE) Suziesaurus
947 C/ B. Rubick We’s Done
957 F/ B. So You Think (NZ) Write Cheek
963 C/ B. Spirit of Boom Jaunty (NZ)
966 F/ B. So You Think (NZ) Kiss My Choisir
969 C/ Ch. Super One La Femme Fatale
987 C/ B. Spill the Beans Love of Liberty
988 F/ B. Pride of Dubai Lovetorn
995 C/ Ch. Invader Marechal
1015 F/ Br. Headwater My Burning Heart
1019 F/ B. Spirit of Boom No Time
1022 C/ Ch. Pride of Dubai Ocean Mist
1055 C/ B. Flying Artie Reve de Victorie
1059 F/ B. No Nay Never (USA) Rock Candy
1064 C/ B. Hellbent Rupavari
1066 C/ B. Epaulette Sam’s Melody (USA)
1085 C/ Ch. Divine Prophet Single Rose
1087 F/ B. Star Turn Sky Rubi
1105 C/ Ch. Starcraft Submit
1106 F/ B. Charge Forward Suffer in Silence
1126 C/ Ch. Spieth Triple Asset
1130 C/ B.or Br. Invader Vain Elaine
1172 C/ B.or Br. Better Than Ready Bellanca
1178 F/ B. Divine Prophet Blue Ocean
1185 F/ Ch. Russian Revolution Buckleupbuttercup
1213 C/ B. Exosphere Courtyard Circle
1221 C/ Ch. Choisir De Lago Lass
www.kblthoroughbreds.com.au 0422 349 188 kbl.thoroughbreds@gmail.com
Six figure yearlings are a common feature of Kenmore Lodge drafts and it will be interesting to see which of the 2021 selection will most capture the fancy of buyers.
Enjoying good results, Kenmore Lodge is a family owned and operated boutique farm consisting of around 600 acres spread over three properties.
Established in 2009 by Cameron and Kellie Bond, Kenmore Lodge has been home to such outstanding gallopers as Tyzone, Tellall, Wapiti, Winning Ways and The Odyssey. Kenmore’s 2021 draft features yearlings by a wonderful selection of Australia’s leading commercial sires.
LOT 11 - brown filly by So You Think from Abrasions (by Stratum): out of a half-sister to the Group Three placed Swords Drawn and to the dam of the Group Three winner Vigor Winner. From the family of the Group One
miler Onemorenomore, “A filly with a superb action and great depth of girth,” she is out of a half-sister to the Group Three placed Swords Drawn.
LOT 59 - bay colt by Dundeel from Arrowette (by Not A Single Doubt): out of a multiple city winning half-sister to the dual Listed winner Jersey Lily. Third dam is the classy race and broodmare Paklani, “A magnificent mover with class and quality,” he is out of a multiple city winning half-sister to the dual Listed winner Jersey Lily.
LOT 125 - bay colt by Deep Field from Buenismo (by Snitzel): second foal for a sister to the stakes placed Zonte and half-sister to the Listed winner Zarantz. This very same Encosta de Lago/Snitzel mix has already produced Gr.1 winners Invader and Summer Passage, “A strong, powerful, forward colt” out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Zarantz... labelled the most likely of the draft to be a Magic Millions or Golden Slipper type.
LOT 262 - bay colt by Rubick from Empress Matilda (by Charge Forward): the first foal for a city winning sister to the Coolmore Stud Stakes-Gr.1, 1200m winner Headway and halfsister to the dam of the Listed winner Let Me Sleep On It, “A compact, neat filly” out of a three times winning half-brother to the metropolitan winner Pretty Face.
LOT 317 - brown filly by Divine Prophet from Flash of Innocence (by Lonhro): dam is a winning half-sister to the Group One sprinter Amber Sky. Grandam is the Group Two winner Truly Wicked ($372k), “A classy filly with strength and maturity” out of a winning halfsister to the Group One sprinter Amber Sky.
LOT 439 - brown filly by Hellbent from Kennocha (by Lonhro): dam is a multiple city winning half-sister to the Group Three winner Celts, dam of the Group winners La Tene and Gaulois, “A magnificent filly with class and femininity,” she is out of a multiple city winning half-sister to the Group Three winner Celts, dam of Group winners La Tene and Gaulois.
LOT 522 - bay colt by Pierro from Marseille en Fleur (by Swiss Ace): first foal for a stakes placed multiple city winning daughter of the stakes winner Rose Of Dane, grandam of the Listed winner Rose Of Choice,” He is the first foal for a stakes placed multiple city winning daughter of the stakes winner Rose Of Dane.
LOT 639 - bay filly by Spirit of Boom from Phoenix Park (by Thorn Park): second foal for a Sandown winning half-sister to the Group Two placed multiple city winner She’s A Thief from the family of the Flight Stakes-Gr.1, 1600m winner Angst, “She has an absolutely faultless disposition and physically she is all there.”
LOT 744 - bay filly by Deep Field from Sara’s Choice (by Choisir): her Listed winning dam’s first four to race are all winners including the Randwick winner Saralago and the six times winners Sarzana and Blinkin Fast, “A big strong filly with great strength and quality,” she is out of the Listed winning dam of the Randwick winner Saralago.
LOT 791 - brown colt by Brazen Beau from Show Stealer (by Tobougg): half-brother to the stakes placed multiple city winner Kardashing out of a multiple city winning half-sister to Group Two winner Great Crusader, “A mature, readymade colt who is all class,” he is a half-brother to the stakes placed multiple city winner Kardashing.
LOT 891 - brown colt by All Too Hard from Tiarazou (by Zizou): brother to the promising dual city winner Human Nature (fourth in a spring carnival Listed contest at his most recent outing) out of a metropolitan winning daughter of the Listed winner Tenant’s Tiara, “A real trainer’s horse,” he is a brother to the promising dual city winner Human Nature (fourth in a spring carnival Listed contest at his most recent outing).
LOT 924 - brown filly by So You Think from Valid Contract (by Magnus): dam is a dual city winning daughter of the Listed winner Prenuptial (in turn daughter of the Listed winner Deal) from the family of the Group One stars Marscay and Subzero, “She is a filly with so much of her sire’s physical attributes, she is all class.”
LOT 998 - chestnut filly by Spieth from Marheta (by Al Maher): the first three foals to race for her Doomben Roses-Gr.3, 2020m winning dam are all winners. Hails from the family of the dual Group One winning successful broodmare Flitter, “A filly with a beautiful action and plenty of scope,” she is out of a Doomben Roses-Gr.3, 2020m.
LOT 1042 - brown colt by Heroic Valour from Pirelli Princess (by Show A Heart): first foal for a winning daughter of the Listed winner Princess Margaret, also dam of the stakes placed Show A Prince and grandam of the Listed winner Over Exposure, “A sharp colt with strength and balance,” he is the first foal for a winning daughter of the Listed winner Princess Margaret.
LOT 1047 - chestnut filly by Capitalist from Prerequisite (by Charge Forward): dam is a city winning dam of the metropolitan winner More Moet. Grandam is the Listed winner Trail Of Gold, dam of the Group One winning sprinter Gold Trail. Charge Forward is already the dam of two Golden
times winning half-sister to the metropolitan winner Pretty Face from the family of the NZ 1000 Guineas-Gr.1, 1600m heroine Hasahalo. Dam is by one of the world’s best stallions, “A compact, neat filly” out of a three times winning half-sister to the metropolitan winner Pretty Face.
LOT 1248 - chestnut filly by Winning Rupert from Galanteada (by Hussonet): daughter of an imported stakes winner whose three winners include the metropolitan winner Beloso, “A neat, sharp ready-made two-year-old type in the mold of her sire,” she is a daughter of the imported stakes winning dam of metropolitan winner Beloso.
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
If there has ever been a blessed situation in tough circumstances, living and working on a horse stud is one. Without huge change we have been able to go about daily duties. The biggest challenges throughout the period have been the new digital age it has created, and the desire for as much information as possible for absent buyers.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
Kenmore’s 2021 draft features yearlings by a wonderful selection of Australia’s leading commercial sires. Lot Col./Sex Sire
Pierro has been a farm favourite. DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021 WITH HIGHLIGHTS.
LOT 984 - bay filly by Choisir from Livonia (by Polish Precedent): sister to the stakes winner Japhils out of a sister to the Irish Listed winner Millstreet from the family of European Group winners Campsie Fells, Fintry and One Ruler, “A big, early maturing” sister to the stakes winner Japhils out of a sister to the Irish Listed winner Millstreet.
Slipper winners, She Will Reign and Estijaab, “A neat, balanced precocious sprintingn time,” out of a city winning dam of the metropolitan winner More Moet.
LOT 1153 - bay filly by Deep Field from Al Nova (by Al Samer): the first two runners for her seven times winning dam are already winners. Family of the Group Two mare Avenius and the high class European stayer Mamool, “A quality filly with great strength,” from the family of the Group Two mare Avenius and the high class European stayer Mamool.
LOT 1188 - bay colt by The Mission from Capering (by Bernardini): out of a half-sister to the US Group Two winner Teen Pauline (dam of the Listed winner Cambria) out of a daughter of the Group Three mare Effectual, “A well balanced colt, hee is a super example of the first crop of his sire.”
LOT 1232 - bay filly by Pride of Dubai from Dubawi’s Image (by Dubawi): his dam is a three
We are excited to offer a cracking draft of horses with something for everyone. Our biggest draft and best draft of yearlings ever. We think the Dundeel - Arrowette colt is all class, the Brazen Beau - Show Stealer is a superb individual and the Hellbent - Kennocha filly is spectacular. Just to name a few!
11 Br./ F So You Think (NZ) Abrasions
59 B./ C Dundeel Arrowette
125 B./ C Deep Field Buenismo
262 B./ C Rubick Empress Matilda
317 Br./ F Divine Prophet Flash of Innocence
439 Br./ F Hellbent Kennocha
522 B./ C Pierro Marseille en Fleur
639 B./ F Spirit of Boom Phoenix Park (NZ)
744 B./ F Deep Field Sara’s Choice
791 Br./ C Brazen Beau Show Stealer
891 Br./ C All Too Hard Tiarazou
924 Br./ F So You Think (NZ) Valid Contract
984 B./ F Choisir Livonia (GB)
998 Ch./ F Spieth Marheta
1042 Br./ C Heroic Valour Pirelli Princess
1047 Ch./ F Capitalist Prerequisite
1153 B./ F Deep Field Al Nova
1188 B./ C The Mission Capering (USA)
1232 B./ F Pride of Dubai Dubawi’s Image
1248 Ch./ F Winning Rupert Galanteada
Matthew Sandblom’s Kingstar Farm continues to impress with its commitment to the breeding industry and will present its first Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft in 2021. Conor Phelan spoke to Bluebloods about this exciting next step for the Hunter Valley farm.
Kingstar Farm has been in operation for four years now and this will be our first Magic Millions January Yearling draft. Kingstar have done well selling at Magic Millions previously; a highlight had to be when Missrock (Fastnet Rock) sold for $2.3million at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale. We are looking to make a similar impact with our first draft of Magic Millions yearlings, and we’ve focused on putting together a draft with plenty of good physical types. We have ended up with seventeen in the sale. Kingstar has over 800 acres now and this draft have all grown out well,” said Phelan. “We had our first on farm inspections within a week of bringing them in and the yearlings were very well received. We always welcome buyers onto Kingstar during the preparation to have a look at our operation and inspect the whole draft. If you can’t make it onto the farm we can arrange a virtual parade of the specific yearlings you wish to see. We are only five minutes from Denman, and ten minutes from Coolmore for reference, so we’re well within reach of anyone in the Hunter.”
The debut draft of yearlings for the Gold Coast includes nine colts and eight fillies by a range of stallions who hold commercial appeal and many siblings to quality racehorses. An obvious standout on pedigree alone is lot 542, a Pierro colt. A three-quarter brother to Gr.1 All Aged Stakes winner Pierata (Pierro), being out of Pierata’s half-sister, Mischief Night (Shamardal). This colt is only the fourth foal for his young unraced dam, who has already left Gr.3 Vain Stakes winner Our Playboy (Sebring).
“He’s a cracker of a colt, and has been since birth. We bought the mare in foal at Magic Millions and she’s produced this fabulous colt for us. To top things off, her second foal Our Playboy won the Vain Stakes this spring. He’s a good type that lives up to his pedigree.”
“Another head turner in our draft is the Lonhro colt. Everyone who has visited the farm picks him out of the paddock and wants to know who he is, and now they do – he’s Lot 22 and will certainly get us off to a good start. He is all class, has the attitude to match and hasn’t put a foot wrong through this preparation. The quintessential professional.”
Kingstar Farm’s Lonhro colt is the third foal of an unraced half-sister to recent spring carnival
“Listed winner Ain’tnodeeldun (Dundeel) and last month’s Sha Tin winner Mighty Valor. All are out of dual Stakes winner Ain’tnofallenstar, a sister to the dam of 2020 HKJC Longines Hong Kong Sprint contender Stronger and a halfsister to Singapore Horse Of The Year Stepitup and Bachman. The draft also showcases colts by Deep Field, Flying Artie, Dissident, Russian Revolution and the only Wandjina and Bull Point colts in the Sale.
“We are heading up to the Gold Coast with an extremely strong group of fillies from families that are hard to buy into. Our fillies are by a good mix of proven and emerging sires such as Extreme Choice, Capitalist, proven sires Sebring and Deep Field, as well as first season sires Russian Revolution and Invader.”
The Sebring filly is very well related being a full sister to Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes winner Thurlow out of Listed winner Princess Emmy from the family of Our Tristalight, while the Extreme Choice filly is the first foal of Hazlebrook (Hinchinbrook), a speedy mare who placed at two, and later won over 800m.
Kingstar will offer two yearling fillies by Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, led by a half-sister to group winner Lead to Win, out of Gr.1 winning 2YO Leading the Way who is closely related to two individual Horse of the Year winners; Life of Victory and Northener, while the other Capitalist filly is out of a daughter of Gr.1 winner Cinque Cento. With three quality types by Deep Field in their draft, Kingstar Farm expect all to sell, especially the colt which is the first foal of a winning mare from the family of Gr.1 winner Appearance and the two fillies bring exceptional pedigrees to the table and give buyers an opportunity to grab the next Xilong. Unrevealed’s Deep Field filly is her second foal and her first foal Palamos (Extreme Choice) won extremely impressively on debut and will head to the Karaka 2YO Millions. A four race winner in Japan, Unrevealed is a full sister to group winner Brownie Points (Forest Wildcat) and Australian buyers should be well aware of how well imported USA mares perform as broodmares here. The other Deep Field filly is a half-sister to two stakes horses, proving that this is a pedigree on the improve.
Kingstar Farm will also present a yearling colt by their own young stallion Bull Point (Fastnet Rock) who is already the sire of stakes placed Encountabull and Readily Availabull, the first 2yo to book it’s place in the 2021 Magic Millions 2yo Classic. This yearling colt is the second live foal of a winning half-sister to dual Gr.1 winner Regimental Gal, and dam’s first foal is already a winner. “He will be the first Bull Point yearling to sell in 2021, and certainly won’t disappoint as a type, very precocious”.
Buyers appreciate a vendor whose stock is definitely on the market and in the three years they’ve been taking horses to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Lime Country have sold every single yearling they’ve brought to the auction. Even better, Lime Country sell high class winners at this sale, including recent Listed MVRC William Crockett Stakes winner La Mexicana and Gr.1 placed city winner Nudge.
Bluebloods spoke to Jo Griffin about life during COVID, and their 2021 Magic Millions draft.
“The shortage of labour in the industry prior to COVID was something everyone was trying to address, and COVID accelerated the issue, proving how reliant we are on overseas staff during the season. At Lime Country, we’ve tried to retain the people we have by focusing on lifestyle and less working hours, however, that puts pressure on us as a family to pick up the extra time and work load. The other big difference is that we usually travel over winter to Makybe in Victoria, and make decisions collaboratively about sales, and with the travel restrictions, we haven’t been able to do that this year.”
In 2021, Lime Country Thoroughbreds will present a solid draft of 16 yearlings, nine colts and seven fillies, led by a pair of colts by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock who continues to churn out top class racehorses. “We have four Fastnet Rock yearlings to sell this year, and we put these two together in the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale as they are both neat, more compact, early maturing types of Fastnet Rock, more in the mould of Merchant Navy.” Lot 29 is the first foal of winning mare Alice Island, a full sister to group winner Miss Steele. “He’s nearly white so quite striking. He’s a first foal born in August who is a sharp, early type.” Lot 828 is the third foal of Star of Sydney, a half-sister to Co-champion 2YO Colt Invader and Gr.2 HKJC Jockey Club Sprint winner Not Listenin’tome. The first two foals have recently had their debut raceday start, so a pedigree update is likely before the sale. “We sold a Snitzel from her
previously, who was more angular, taller, a later maturing type. This colt is a much earlier type of horse, he has a great hip, swings along in his walk, confident, well balanced, and sound.”
Not many Lonhro colts make it to public auction, so Lot 285 presents an opportunity to grab a son of a Champion Sire, and this one is from a sire making family and his dam, Eyes Of Love, is a winning daughter of group winner Lovetrista, who is in turn a half-sister to Viking Ruler, Kempinsky, and Diamond Like. This colt brings together two strains of the famed Eight Carat family via Lonhro’s sire Octagonal, and his maternal line. “Bred by Graham and Linda Huddy, they have retained the first foal, a Snitzel filly, and are selling the colt. It’s an old Cambridge Stud family, and he’s quite a scopey colt. I’m pleased with his physical type.”
A Written Tycoon filly, Lot 526, is a fine long term investment, being the first foal of Matildare, a winning half-sister to stakes placed two yearold winner Gold Anthem, the dam of Champion Sprinter and sire Starspangledbanner. “She was the most expensive filly sold at the Magic Millions weanling sale and a real standout on type. We pinhooked several horses for the 2021 sales with clients, and we were confident spending big on this filly because if something stopped her being on-sold, we would be happy to race her and keep her as a broodmare. She’s here and will be someone else’s opportunity.”
From Sebring’s last crop comes Lot 292, a filly from a winning half-sister to Gr.1 winner Amicus and two year-old stakes winner Cheer Leader. “She’s been a stand out filly since birth, and has
very good size and scope. I am very impressed with the mare to have thrown this quality into her first foal.”
Triple Gr.1 winner Caravaggio is represented by Lot 443, a colt from winning Lonhro mare Kimblewick, a half-sister to South African group winner Table Bay, from the family of dual Gr.1 winner Cape of Good Hope. “He is a colt with superstar quality, and is a lovely mix of his damsire, Lonhro, and grand-damsire, Cape Cross. The now two year-old half-sister by So You Think sold very well as a yearling and the buyer came back to the sales and bought Kimblewick which is always a great sign.”
A pair of yearlings on behalf of New Zealand farm Jamieson Park are Lot 948, a colt by Pierro from a winning half-sister to two stakes winners, and Lot 85, a Savabeel filly who is the second foal of winning Fastnet Rock mare Beachley, from
the family of Preferment. “Those two yearlings will arrive here on 30 November. The feedback from Magic Millions on both of Jamieson Park’s yearlings was very complimentary and we are excited to offer their stock for the first time.”
A Zoustar half-sister to Lime Country’s Magic Millions graduate La Girl, who ran fourth on debut in the Gr.3 Ottawa Stakes and went to be a two year-old winner last season is Lot 450. This filly’s dam is a half-sister to two group winners, Savvy Nature and Addictive Nature, and this is the family of Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas winner Hasahalo.
Lime Country will also present yearlings by All Too Hard (Lot 175, out of a half-sister to Makybe Diva), American Pharoah (Lot 189), Deep Field (Lot 512), Impending (Lot 691, a halfsister to stakes placed Coin Collector), Russian Revolution (Lot 884), Savabeel (Lot 85), and So You Think (Lot 923).
If we had an Australian Racing Dictionary then Lyndhurst Stud Farm would surely have a one word definition – “winners.”
Based at Warwick on Queensland’s fertile Darling Downs, Lyndhurst has been sending winners to Australian racetracks for over a century.
Since its purchase in 1956 by the brothers Percy and Ted Kruger it has frequently been home to the leading winner producing sire in Australia starting with the Krugers’ magnificent grey foundation sire Smokey Eyes by Star Kingdom who held that title for a decade. Next generation son Merrell Kruger was one of the founding co-owners of the Magic Millions sales and race business, and it is his sons Jeff and Griff Kruger who own and operate Lyndhurst today.
Jeff Kruger takes up the story, “Lyndhurst is a great property, and apart from producing large numbers of sheer winners we’ve always had a top sire or two here, from Smokey Eyes through the first son of Northern Dancer, Grand Chaudiere, sire of the dam of Snippets, through Head Over Heels, Hail To Success, Sequalo and our current superstar Better Than Ready. He is something special, right at the top of the tree every season so far and there’s even more to come from him now that his talent is appreciated and he’s getting better mares.
We are also very proud of the fact that at Lyndhurst we were the first farm in Australia to bloodtype foals for parentage validation, before
the ASB made it compulsory and we were also the first farm in Australia to monitor broodmares close to and during foaling using closed circuit television with infrared.
We’ve had great news about the border openings so I’m looking forward to taking our eleven yearlings to the Magic Millions in January. We’ve got four in Book One and seven in Book Two, they’re all by the best proven sires in the country including four by Better Than Ready. Griff and I can’t wait to present them to potential buyers, we both think that although the numbers aren’t huge, our draft is big on quality.”
The Lyndhurst Stud draft will be based in barns QA and QB and will enter the ring in the following order.
The
Stud
Lot 184 bay filly by Queensland sire sensation Spirit Of Boom from Coogee Coozifa by Danzero. This colt is a half-brother to three winners including SP Oink (6 wins and $447K). Dam is a half-sister to Hong Kong Gr.1 winner The Duke (10 wins, $5.6 million.) Both Oink and The Duke were 2YO winners!
Lot 458 bay filly by Better Than Ready from Lady Remlap by Filante. By Lyndhurst’s own super sire this filly is a half-sister to seven winners including Gr.1 ATC Golden Rose winner Manawanui, (7 wins $1.4 million.)
Better Than Ready is something special, right at the top of the tree every season so far and there’s even more to come from him now that his talent is appreciated and he’s getting better mares.
Lot 560 brown colt by Better Than Ready from Monte Bella by Bel Esprit. Better Than Ready’s colts include the flying The Odyssey SW and Gold Coast Guineas-Gr.3 placed. This colt is a halfbrother to the metro winner Spirit Rich and his older full sister is already placed this season.
Lot 761 chestnut filly by Exceed And Excel from Seismic Warning by More Than Ready. This filly is the second foal of a winning half-sister to Gr.1 Flight S winner Cheeky Choice. SPECIAL NOTE. This filly is bred on the same Exceed And Excel/ More Than Ready cross as multiple Gr.1 winning sprinter Bivouac and multiple SW Coruscate. This nick has 2 SW from just 8 runners, 25%. A filly not to be missed.
Lot 974 bay filly by Nicconi from Laureole by Exceed And Excel. This filly is by the sire of crack sprinters Nature Strip, Faatinah and Niccanova out of a winning mare by one of Australia’s best sires and broodmare sires, from the great Fall Aspen family, to which this filly is linebred.
Lot 1025 bay colt by Magnus from Onemoremelody by Onemorenomore. This colt is the second foal of a half-sister to two iconic gallopers in current mighty grey. The Candy Man (11 wins, $527K) and another great tough grey in Phrases (9 wins, $517K) and to SP Motifs. This is a tough, sound, prolific winning family, plus the sire Magnus complete the picture as a wonderful source of high class repeat winners.
Lot 1048 bay colt by Star Witness from Princess Is Ready by More Than Ready. This colt is the first foal of a multiple winning half-sister to three stakes horses including multiple Group winner, multiple Gr.1 placed Grey Song (6 wins $1.95 million) and Gr.3 winner Tonz More Fun. By one of Australia’s most consistent sires out of a Gr.1 winning family out of a mare by a crack broodmare sire, this colt ticks all the boxes.
Lot 1069 chestnut colt by Sebring from Scorched by Exceed And Excel. This colt is a half-brother to two winners, out of a half sister to Gr.3 winner Furnaces from one of the best families in the Stud Book, that of Zeditave, Melito, Pariah, Cloister, Alannon etc. Bred on a cross of Sebring and Exceed And Excel, two of Australia’s best, which is already responsible for Gr.2 winner Yes Baby Yes.
Lot 1157 bay colt by Extreme Choice from Anabarbie by Anabaa. This colt is by one of Australia’s most exciting first season sires, already sire of brilliant Tiger Of Malay and Palamos from
his first few runners. He is a half-brother to two winners from the family of Australia’s best sprinter, Everest winner Classique Legend and his Hong Kong superstar half-brother Atheiro. Family of five times Gr.1 winner Racing To Win (13 wins, $3.7 million.) SPECIAL NOTE: This colt is from the prolific Hula Bend branch of La Troienne’s female line and even more significantly is bred on the same Not A Single Doubt mix with this family as Everest winner CLASSIQUE LEGEND.
Lot 1183 bay filly by Better Than Ready from Brave Choice by Dr Fong. This filly is a half-sister to six winners (all the dam’s foals to race are winners) including the Gr.2 winner of 7 races and $676K in Brave Song. Grandam is Gr.1 Q’land Oaks and Gr.1 Q’land Derby heroine Bravery, one of the best producers in Australia as dam of multiple Group winner Brave Prince, grandam of Wakeful S winner Timbourina and third dam of current headliner Galaxy Star Gr.1 winner of the Railway S (13 wins $1.54 million.)
Lot 1267 brown colt by Better Than Ready from Hello Sweetpea by Shamus Award. This colt is by hot young Lyndhurst sire Better Than Ready and is the first foal of a mare by Shamus Award who is emerging as a real sire talent, getting quality performers week in week out over a range of distances. This is the family of two of Australia’s best sprinters of recent years, both multiple Gr.1 winners in Niconero (13 wins, 5 Gr.1, $3.45 million) and Nicconi (6 wins, 2 Gr.1, $1 million), the latter now also top commercial sire. This colt rounds out the Lyndhurst draft, epitomising what the farm is all about, producing horses that are bred to run, and run fast.
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
184 F/ B. Spirit Of Boom Coogee Coozifa
458 F/ B. Better Than Ready Lady Remlap
560 C/ Br. Better Than Ready Monte Bella
761 F/ Ch. Exceed And Excel Seismic Warning 974 F/ B. Nicconi Laureole
1025 C/ B. Magnus Onemoremelody
1048/ C/ B. Star Witness Princess is Ready 1069 C/ Ch. Sebring Scorched
1157 C/ B. Extreme Choice Anabarbie
1183 F/ B. Better Than Ready Brave Choice
1257 C/ Br. Better Than Ready Hello Sweetpea
www.lyndhurststud.com
Lyndhurst Lane, PO Box 348, Warwick Qld 4370
Jeff Kruger 0429 076 610 jeff@lyndhurststud.com•
Renée Geelen
Established in 2005, Millbrook on the Darling Downs has put together an impressive record of top quality horses produced. They hold the fascinating record for having sold the first stakes winner for a collection of first season sires, such as Better Than Ready’s The Odyssey, Not A Single Doubt’s Doubtful Jack, Bernardini’s Boban, Poet’s Voice’s My Country, and Dream Ahead’s Dreams Aplenty.
The farm’s ability to produce winners is outstanding with their graduates earning over $20million in the past decade from small boutique drafts presented each year at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The rich soil of the Darling Downs is only part of the key to their ongoing success, the other being the vast experience of owner David Thomas. Prior to embarking on his own with Millbrook, David spent a lifetime gaining knowledge and experience in the Hunter Valley, working for Woodlands Stud during the Ingham era of Lonhro, Octagonal, Canny Lad, and Commands.
“We have sold a Champion 2YO, a Co-Champion 2YO and an Australian Champion Miler since first venturing out on our own as Millbrook, and it is a thrill to watch our young horses thrive in many different racing environments. Millbrook has sold over eighty winners throughout Australia and globally – Sydney, Singapore, South Africa, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and importantly for Magic Millions buyers, on the Gold Coast.”
In 2021, Millbrook will present a draft of four yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, led by a half-brother to their Gr.3 winning graduate My Country.
By first season sire Invader, Lot 1173, might just continue Millbrook’s record of producing the first stakes winner by a new sire. A Gr.1 winner at two, Invader has all the credentials to make it as a stallion; he’s a son of Champion Sire Snitzel and is out of a stakes winning Encosta de Lago mare. As the co-Champion 2YO Colt of 2016/17, Invader should tick plenty of boxes for buyers looking for precocity. This colt’s dam, Bells Will Ring, has left seven winners to date. From an imported mare, this colt’s family have had stakes winners around the world, such as German One Thousand Guineas winner Hawksmoor, and American graded winner Millennium Dragon. Strong early going type with kind eye. Deep Field colts are flying on the racetrack, just as he did himself. A record breaker, Deep Field
had an impressive start to his stud career with five stakes winners from his first crop, and his second crop who have just turned three included group winner Portland Sky. Of his six stakes winners to date, five are colts or geldings, and Millbrook’s Deep Field colt, Lot 1233, is out of Easy Rock, a daughter of Listed Sheraco Stakes winner At Ease (Canny Lad). This is the family of Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes winner Capital Gain. Same markings, same cross as Hong Kong’s Winning Dreamer – will fly.
Sizzling was well named; winner of the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes and Millbrook will present a filly, Lot 1187, out of Sizzling’s half-sister, Calamity. This is a strong speedy Australian family which includes the likes of Written Dash, D’Argento, and recent stakes winner Star of Bombay. Buyers will have fun naming this filly, as her sire is Gr.1 William Reid Stakes winner Hellbent. Hellbent (I Am Invincible) won at two and kept improving every year, running second in the Gr.1 William Reid at four and going one better to win it at five. All up, he was a tough sprinter who won seven races; just the type of horse trainers love to have in their stable.
Absolutely unbelievable type – a Queen!!
If this filly looks anything like her pedigree, she’ll go bang. By Merchant Navy, a dual Gr.1 winner in Australia and England, who was unbeaten at two including a Listed win, Lot 1127 is the second foal of the mare, Tumbling Dice, who won six races up to 1,000m. Her dam, Listed winner Talaga was a precocious type winning twice at two and was second in the Gr.1 AJC Champagne Stakes, and Talaga has done a stellar job at stud with Tumbling Dice being one of nine winners, led by stakes placed Talista who won seven races, while another half-brother to Tumbling Dice won on nine occasions. Fast like her parents and tough like her family? Let’s hope so.
Quality filly – looks like Dad, moves like Dad –Will run early.
A wise buyer looks for success in places with a proven record, and Millbrook certainly ticks that box.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam
1127 F/B. Merchant Navy Tumbling Dice
1173 C/Br. Invader Bells Will Ring (IRE)
1187 F/B. Hellbent Calamity
1233 C/B. Deep Field Easy Rock
2021 VENDOR
What a great start it was for Murrulla Stud’s 2020 Magic Millions draft when exciting filly Princess Bojack made an impressive winning debut at Eagle Farm in October, set aside for a crack at the big race in January. The Flying Artie filly was a great value $50K purchase from Tim and Celie Nolan’s 2020 Magic Millions draft. Tim Nolan commented to Bluebloods. “it’s a great result for the farm, an early 2YO winner, a Magic Millions contender that most buyers could afford. I reckon we have more such likely prospects in our 2021 draft, please come and inspect them. We are committed sellers and we look forward to presenting them.”
And what a fine draft Murrulla has for January 2021 -
LOT 12 - brown colt by I Am Invincible from Abriola (by Von Costa de Hero): the first foal for a city placed three times winning half-sister to the multiple city winner Fleet Riane from the family of Persan who ran so well in the Melbourne Cup-Gr.1, 3200m and is one of Australia’s best gallopers.
LOT 150 - brown/grey colt by Caravaggio from Change Channels (by Bradbury’s Luck): a halfbrother to recent winner Call Me Artie out of a half-sister to the triple Group One winner Luckygray.LOT 201 - brown filly by Brazen Beau from Dalavia (by Dalakhani): the first foal for an unraced mare from the family of the multiple Group One winning mare Streama.
LOT 201 – brown filly by Brazen Beau from Dalavia (by Dalakhani): the first foal for an unraced mare from the family of the multiple Group One winning mare Streama ($2.67 million earner.)
LOT 389 - chestnut filly by Star Turn from Imaginative (by Bianconi): a half-sister to the stakes winner Creative Hero out of a winning half-sister to the multiple Group One winner Old Comrade.
LOT 654 - bay filly by Spieth from Pouter (by Dubawi): her city winning dam (a half-sister to the Listed winner Excelltastic) has produced five winners including the Listed winner Rock Dove and the Hong Kong winner Amazing. From a mare by one of the world’s best sires.
LOT 968 - bay/brown filly by Russian Revolution from L’Etoile (by Pierro): the first foal for a daughter of the Group Three mare Jade Marauder (3/4 sister to the dual Group Three winner Bliss Street), dam of the in-form multiple city winner Bacchus.
LOT 983 - bay/brown filly by Nicconi from Littoral (by Commands): her dam is doing a good job with her first three winners including the stakes placed Uratta Belle and the dual city winner Paseeto.
LOT 1004 - bay colt by Jukebox from Miss Presidential (by Encosta de Lago): a half-brother to the six times winner Whitehouse Affair out of a half-sister to the stakes winner Tukiyo from the family of Group winners Offenbach and Spanish Whisper.
LOT 1030 - chestnut colt by Winning Rupert from Our Miss Bossy (by Street Boss): half-brother to the two times winner I’mtwentyfourseven out of a multiple city winning daughter of the Group Three placed Brooke’s Express.
LOT 1095 - brown colt by Capitalist from Solar Burst (by Northern Meteor): his dam is a city winner out of a half-sister to the Prix Morny-Gr.1,
1200m winner Myboycharlie from the family of local big race winner Snowland.
LOT 1118 - chestnut colt by Sooboog from Ten Churros (by High Brite): son of an imported stakes winner whose first four foals to race are all winners. This is a major Group One family whose members include the locally bred elite level winners Bella Vella, Toffee Tongue and Werther.
LOT 1119 - bay/brown filly by Supido from Tennessee la Belle (by So You Think): dam is a half-sister to the stakes placed Enzed Girl from the family of the Group One winners Malaguerra, Aloha, Seabrook and Cool Aza Beel.
LOT 1133 - bay filly by Choisir from Volante (by Snitzel): the second foal for a city placed three times winning daughter of the US stakes winner Louis Leggs.
LOT 1166 - brown filly by Charge Forward from Attributes (by Dubai Destination): out of a multiple winner whose dam is a half-sister to the Group One winning high class stallion Green Desert. Family of the NZ Group One winner Vespa.
LOT 1180 - chestnut colt by Spieth from Bolshoi Devoushka (by War Pass): out of a city placed half-sister to five winners including the dam of the classy Singapore galloper Captain Jamie. From a high class international family whose members include the elite level winners Missy’s Mirage, Dublin, Indian Skimmer and Touch Of The Blues.
LOT 1193 - bay colt by Star Turn from Catseye Surprise (by Testa Rossa): a half-sister to the debut juvenile winner Princess Bojack out of a dual city winning member of the Cotehele House branch of the ever thriving Eight Carat family. Close relations include the Group winners Fair Trade, Fiscal Fantasy, Miss Exfactor and Quilate.
LOT 1207 - bay colt by Hellbent from Coco Kerringle (by Exceed And Excel): his three times winning dam (a 3/4 sister to the Group One mare Mirjulisa Lass) is doing a great job with five winners including the metropolitan winners Lagerfield, Centrefire and Fabulous Eight.
LOT 1241 - bay colt by Flying Artie from First Blossom (by Giant’s Causeway): a half-brother to the stakes winner Spring Choice from the high class international family of big race
winners Hector Protector, Bosra Sham, Shanghai and Ciro.
LOT 1262 - bay colt by Rubick from Hooness (by Exceed And Excel): a half-brother to three winners out of a Listed winner from the family of stakes winners Feelers, Tromso and Primero. We left the last word to Tim Nolan, “It’s one of the largest drafts we’ve taken to January, and arguably our best. We have some great types in both Book One and Book Two, by commercial sires out of successful families.”
2021 draft
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
12 C/Br. I Am Invincible Abriola (AUS)
150 C/Br. or Gr. Caravaggio (USA) Change Channels
201 F/Br. Brazen Beau Dalavia
389 F/Ch. Star Turn Imaginative 654 F/B. Spieth (NZ) Pouter (AUS) 968 F/B. or Br. Russian Revolution L’Etoile 983 F/B. or Br. Nicconi Littoral
1004 C/B. Jukebox Miss Presidential 1030 C/Ch. Winning Rupert Our Miss Bossy 1095 C/Br. Capitalist Solar Burst 1118 C/Ch. Sooboog Ten Churros (USA) 1119 F/B. or Br. Supido Tennessee la Belle 1133 F/B. Choisir Volante 1166 F/Br. Charge Forward Attributes 1180 C/Ch. Spieth (NZ) Bolshoi Devoushka 1193 C/B. Star Turn Catseye Surprise 1207 C/B. Hellbent Coco Kerringle 1241 C/B. Flying Artie First Blossom (USA) 1262 B/C. Rubick Hooness
www.murrullastud.com.au
0417 140 712
Lot 53 Medaglia d’OroApologynotaccepted (USA) filly.
Over the past few years we have had a bit of a clean out of mares,” the stud’s Scott Williamson explained, “and have been replacing them with younger, high quality mares. We are seeing the results of that this year with the first and second foals of some really lovely broodmares.”
Never has Williamson been this excited about an upcoming yearling sale, noting that “this is the most forward and precocious bunch of horses I have ever had in a preparation. People are really going to notice the quality of the draft and I can’t wait to get up to the Gold Coast to start showing them.”
“I know each time I get asked to pull a horse out of the box people are going to like what they see, we are going up there extremely confident that we have the horses people will want.”
LOT 53 - bay/brown filly by Medaglia d’Oro from Apologynotaccepted (by Fusaichi Pegasus): one of only two Australian born yearlings by her outstanding sire - and the only filly, she is out of an imported mare who was bred to southern hemisphere time before heading down under. A three times Group placed four times winner, she is a half-sister to the triple Group winner Curlin’s Approval
I Am Invincibles do; she is all quality and she really excites me.”
LOT 477 - bay or brown filly by Sebring from Leny’s Here (by Husson): a member of the final crop of her sire, she’s out of an unraced daughter of the Turnbull Stakes-Gr.1, 2000m winner Devil Moon whose half-sister Classy Choice is the dam of the Listed winner Turner Bayou. Devil Moon’s stakes placed dam Classy Babe is a half-sister to the wonderful stayer Skybeau.
“She has amazing movement, she walks like a panther and looks like one too! She just has such a lovely action and she is tough, strong and forward as well. I am sure she will be well received.”
“He is an exceptional first foal who I cannot fault. He is a good size, well marked, striking colt who really looks the part.”
LOT 977 - bay colt by Fighting Sun from Leaps And Bounds (by Astronomer Royal): second foal for a city placed seven times winner from the family of the Group One gallopers Myboycharlie and Snowland.
“He is a book one horse in book two and I really think he will be a stand-out in that section of the sale. He is a lovely looking horse, a very well put together, correct colt with great movement.”
Williamson has had a busy time leading up to the sale with the recent arrival of his daughter Ivy Rose. Whilst many were marking time during the COVID crisis, he was as busy as ever on the farm, possibly even more so.
“I have not taken a better yearling to a sale,” Williamson said. “She looks just like the best I Am Invincibles do; she is all quality and she really excites me.”
“She is a lovely first foal,” Williamson enthused. “She is a keen, forward type out of a young mare who I think is going to be really good for us.”
LOT 217 - bay filly by I Am Invincible from Deipara (by Lonhro): her dam is a lightly raced (two city placings from three starts) daughter of the four times Group One winner Divine Madonna (3/4 sister to the Group Three sprinter Blessum), dam of the Listed winning sprinter Maternal and the Group Three placed La Pieta.
“I have not taken a better yearling to a sale,” Williamson said. “She looks just like the best
LOT 635 - bay colt by Spirit Of Boom from Personalised (by Snitzel): first foal for a talented mare (a $525,000 purchase at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale) who won four of her eight starts. What a lovely catalogue update for this fellow whose family was proven even before his dam’s 3/4 sister Personal raced away to a dominant victory in this spring’s VRC Oaks-Gr.1, 2500m. His grandam is the Listed winner Personify whilst his third dam is the dual Group Three winning high class broodmare Procrastinate.
“It did not affect us a great deal as we live here on the farm and just kept on working. If anything we threw ourselves more into work. Where we are located is considered part of metropolitan Melbourne so we were in total lockdown but I can’t say that we missed out on anything.”
When asked which of the Musk Creek draft members would be the most likely to be a Magic Millions 2YO Classic or Golden Slipper chance, he felt it hard to split them. “None of them would surprise me by being early types,” he said.
We also asked Williamson who his favourite stallions are. Understandably he has a soft spot for Verrazanno by whom he bred his own speedy stakes winner Mockery out of a mare he paid only $2000 for, something he is justifiably proud of!
“But I would have to say my favourites would be Exceed And Excel, I would love to race a colt by him. And Lonhro, you just know he is always going to throw a type for you. I have to included I Am Invincible as well, just for the great job he keeps on doing.”
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam 2021 draft
53 F/ B. Medaglia d’Oro Apologynotaccepted (USA) 217 F/ B. I Am Invincible Deipara
477 F/ B. Sebring Leny’s Here 635 C/ B. Spirit of Boom Personalised 977 C/ B. Fighting Sun Leaps and Bounds
www.muskcreekfarm.com.au
7 Musk Creek Road Flinders VIC 3929 0438 398 679
scott@muskcreekfarm.com.au
Newhaven Park has been breeding champions for four generations, studmaster John Kelly continues a proud tradition that has seen the Boorowa based farm send forth a list of winners of the great races on the Australian Turf Calendar that would require a separate article just to list. Suffice to say that it includes no less than four individual Golden Slipper winners, John’s Hope, Prowl, Vivarchi and Burst.
Yet rarely in the farm’s long and illustrious history has Newhaven had such a momentous lead up to theMagicMillionsasthisyear.Newhavenbred Magic Millions graduates set the Melbourne SpringCarnivalalightwithOdeuma$420K2019 MM graduate scoring an authoritative win in theGr.11000Gnsatjustherfourthstartbefore supplyingaGr.1quinellaathernextstartwhena closesecondtoanotherNewhavenParkgraduate Shout The Bar a $200K 2018 MM purchase in the Gr.1 Empire Rose S-1600m to record her secondwinatthehighestlevelafterherearlier Vinery Stud S success. They are clearly two of thebestfemalesintrainingandbothareshining examples of the type of yearlings Newhaven prepares and sells at the January sales, they werecertainlywithinthebudgetofmostbuyers competingatthecommercialendofthemarket. Toputtheicingonthecake,anotherNewhaven graduate,thisoneanabsoluteMMbargainasa
$10K weanling and now racing as Inferno scored easily in the Singapore Lion City Cup in October defeating 15 rivals.
The Newhaven 2021 Magic Millions draft has more gems on offer.
There are five yearlings by Newhaven’s own sire Xtravagant, the multiple Gr.1 winning son of Pentire, four by the emerging super sire Pierro, a pair by champion Australian sire and dominant speed influence Exceed And Excel, and a great selection by such outstanding sires as Snitzel, So You Think (2), Spirit Of Boom (3), Nicconi (3), Dundeel, Invader, Maurice, Pride Of Dubai, Capitalist and Churchill.
John Kelly’s early assessment that Redoute’s Choice would become a leading broodmare sire is reflected in the fact that there are four yearlings out of Redoute’s Choice mares including Lot 376 a bay colt by Pierro out of Heriz who is the dam of two stakes performers including
multiple Gr.3 winner Jamaican Rain. This colt could conceivably become even better than his talented sibling as the Pierro/Redoute’s Choice cross is one of the best in the entire history of breeding with 9Sw from 39 runners (23%) including 7 Group winners of which 3 are Group One winners, Levendi, Regal Power and current super mare Arcadia Queen. This Newhaven colt has an early August foaling date to round out the package.
It’s apparent that the same planning has gone into all the Newhaven matings, there are several other highlights in this draft. For instance the first cab off the ranking 2021 will be Lot 8 a bay filly by sire of the moment Written Tycoon out of a winning Redoute’s Choice daughter of Gr.1 VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse.
Newhaven’s Snitzel colt is out of the multiple Gr.2 and Gr.3 placed Supara, runner up in both the Emancipation S and Surround S-Gr.2. This
bay or grey colt (mum was grey) is bred on one of the most successful crosses for Redoute’s Chioce and his sons, featuring a return of the influential mare Best In Show. The exact Snitzel/Domesday cross has produced multiple Gr.1 winning sprinter Trapeze Artist while the broader Redoute’s Choice/Best In Show cross is responsible for 23 SW including 6 individual Gr.1 winners, Wandjina, Scales Of Justice, Redoute’s Dancer, Master Of Design, Dariana and BonariaIt’s a stallion prospect’s pedigree.
The 2021 Newhaven yearlings heading to the Gold Coast in January are a living breathing highlight reel.
Newhaven could hardly wish for a more significant pedigree update then the one provided for Lot 33 by the devastating recent win of Inspirational Girl. Her win in the Gr.1 WATC Railway S on November 21st 2020 was one for the ages, taking her overall record to 9 wins, a second and a third from just 11 starts and earnings approaching $1million. Allez Bien, the dam of Lot 33, a bay filly by Golden Slipper winner Capitalist is a four time winning half-sister to Inspirational Girl. She is by the great broodmare sire O’Reilly and this is her first foal.
As I was writing this preview, it occurred to me that it must be an exceptional draft of yearlings if there isn’t enough space to run through all the highlights. But that’s what has happened here. The 2021 Newhaven yearlings heading to the Gold Coast in January are an exceptional group. They are by top sires and when you look through the broodmare sires and see names such as Redoute’s Choice, Encosta de Lago and Exceed And Excel it adds to the overall impression of quality. The next Odeum or Shout The Bar could well be among them.
To sum up, studmaster John Kelly provided the following insights to Bluebloods.
HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARISE UP THE PAST YEAR?
It’s presented plenty of challenges for the entire community with the COVID pandemic. Yet after one of the worst droughts we had experienced, the rains finally came and I can tell you that we have had the best season ever at Newhaven, it’s green everywhere and the dams are nearly full and the water courses are flowing.
DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021 WITH HIGHLIGHTS.
As always, the Magic Millions draft picks itself. They are the most forward and precocious looking yearlings on our farm. We have a very nice lot of colts, with the two standouts probably being the Snitzel out of Supara, who was mated on the same cross as Trapeze Artist, being out of a Domesday mare. He is a lovely individual with a great temperament and a horse that we have a lot of time for.
The Exceed And Excel colt out of Testa Secret oozes speed. His 2-year-old full brother is in the Tony Gollan stable; this guy is very similar to him and he looks like a horse that could win you a Magic Millions or a Golden Slipper.
We have a nice group of fillies and the three highlights for me would be the Spirit Of Boom filly out of Hittite, the Written Tycoon filly out of Zrinski and the Capitalist filly out of Allez Bien. They are fillies with great substance and scope, who look like they could run early and train on at three and four.
WHAT ARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF WHERE YOU WORK?
Don’t be late.
Do the little things right, and the big things will look after themselves.
If someone’s waiting for you don’t walk, run!
IN ONE SENTENCE, HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE INTERNET?
A great place to get lost and waste a lot of time! HOW MANY CHICKENS WOULD IT TAKE TO KILL AN ELEPHANT?
One if he had a machine gun.
WHAT INANIMATE OBJECT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD ELIMINATE FROM EXISTENCE?
Speeding tickets.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO SHARE?
My wife!
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
8 F/ B. Written Tycoon Zrinski
33 F/ B. Capitalist Allez Bien (NZ)
38 C/ B. Pierro Always
185 C/ B. Pierro Cool Snitzel
241 F/ Ch. Xtravagant (NZ) Down the Hatch
265 C/ Ch. Nicconi Enchanting Beauty
267 F/ B. Frosted (USA) Ennazus
331 C/ B. Maurice (JPN) Frontalis
343 C/ B. Nicconi Gleams
374 C/ B. Pierro Hello (USA)
376 C/ B. Pierro Heriz
380 F/ B. Spirit Of Boom Hittite
400 F/ Ch. Xtravagant (NZ) Infra Dig
563 F/ Ch. Invader Moqueen
571 F/ B. Xtravagant (NZ) Moshki
581 F/ Ch. Xtravagant (NZ) Mussenden
680 F/ B. Spirit Of Boom Rahy Storm (USA)
698 C/ B. Spirit Of Boom Refer
798 F/ B. Dundeel (NZ) Simply Brilliant
816 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Sovereign Jewel
818 F/ Br. Impending Sparkle
852 C/ B. or Gr. Snitzel Supara
874 C/ Ch. Exceed And Excel Testa Secret
910 F/ Ch. Exceed And Excel Turf Fairy
953 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Windrunner
1057 C/ B. Churchill (IRE) Rime
1103 F/ B. Xtravagant (NZ) Stregheria
1159 C/ B. Pride Of Dubai Aneeda
1224 F/ B. Nicconi Demonstrable
Boutique farm Rheinwood Pastoral has embraced the concept of a business ‘pivot’. The idea is to take action and change the direction of a business to meet the needs of the market, and over the past few years, Rheinwood Pastoral has gone through a positive process of refreshing their bloodstock, upgrading broodmares, and renovating pastures to pivot towards more success.
Kirsty Willis talked to Bluebloods about their draft and the changes. “We’ve done a lot of work in the last few years at Rheinwood to transform our operation. The farm has had many successes in the past, but you can’t rest on your laurels in this business, we saw the need to evolve and streamline our operation to remain competitive in the market place. The appointment of our new stud manager Dee Foster in July 2019 has been an integral part of this journey. Dee joined us as our Stud Manager following on from a successful five years at Amarina Farm as Yearling Manager. Her dedication and work ethic is second to none and this flows through to our whole team. We are really proud of the steps we have taken, and the progress we continue to make here at Rheinwood. There are many exciting times ahead for us!”
“We have some exciting two year-old graduates coming along from our 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast draft that we are hearing good reports about, including Miss Shalaa (Shalaa) purchased by Dynamic Syndications, Dream Witness (Star Witness) purchased by First Light, Sacred Field (Deep Field) purchased by Darby Racing, and Kinetic (I Am Invincible) purchased by Tony Gollan. From our 2019 draft, Dewhurst (Kermadec) won on debut this spring for Archie Alexander. He was purchased by Bennett Racing and we kept a share in him too.”
The 2021 draft for Rheinwood Pastoral shows their renewed focus on emerging stock with all five yearlings by young stallions at the early stages of their stud careers. The sole filly is Lot 607 by Deep Field, sire of Gr.2 winner and Gr.1 placed Xilong, out of Occasio (Snitzel) who is a half-sister to Listed winner Insistence, from the family of Outback Barbie. This filly is Occasio’s second live foal, and the other is Deladies Boy who is a city winner of four races.
Stud Manager Dee Foster said, “The Occasio filly by Deep Field has been a stand out since she was a foal, she is a smart, athletic filly who looks a runner. She is very sweet and has a great nature. She is a pleasure to work with and very trainable.”
A colt by Royal Ascot and Coolmore Stud Stakes winner and first season sire Merchant Navy, Lot 252, is certain to grab buyer’s attention as his sire should be in high demand being the winner of two sire making races. This colt is the second foal of Elegant Air (So You Think), a half-sister to Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go, and group winner Essay Raider. This is a strong
family that contains the likes of Southern Speed and Ha Ha.
“Our Elegant Air colt by Merchant Navy is a lovely colt from a very good running family. He is compact and has a very nice action, and I think he will appeal to much of the buying bench at Magic Millions.”
By Gr1 winner Russian Revolution, whose first crop are going to sale, Lot 251 is a colt whose dam, Electric Charge (Charge Forward) is a winning half-sister to group winner Miss Darcey, from the family of Hurried Choice and Lurestina. Electric Charge has a three year-old and a two year-old both by I Am Invincible about to race, so there might be a decent pedigree upgrade for this colt by the time the sale comes around. It is worth mentioning that Charge Forward mares have already produced many brilliant early 2YOs including two Golden Slipper winners, She Will Reign and Estijaab.
“I love watching this Russian Revolution colt in action, he is a beautiful fluid moving colt that covers the ground very well, he is a striking looking individual with a lot of presence about him.”
Brazen Beau has started his stud career with the quality expected of a Coolmore Stud Stakes winner, and has nine stakes winners at this early stage of his career. His colt, Lot 487, is the first foal of Lost Without You who is from the family of Gr.1 winners Dealer Principal, Drum, Anamato, and the very tough Grand Armee. There has been a spectacular update to this pedigree with Anamato being the dam of this season’s crack 2YO, the Merson Cooper winner Anamoe.
“This colt is a good sized colt with a big overstep and nice free action. He has a great temperament
and is pleasure to work with, nothing fazes him, he will be a trainers dream.”
Proven Gr.1 sire Smart Missile will round out the Rheinwood Pastoral draft with a colt, Lot 315, who is the first foal of Five Card Charlie, a daughter of Premier’s Cup-Listed winner Break Card from the imported family of Gr.1 winner Yosei, and tracing back to Nassipour.
“This colt continues to impress me. He is a good looking, intelligent, athletic colt. He takes it all in his stride as he is progressing through the preparation. The sire is certainly doing a great job at the moment and should have great appeal to many buyers.”
A change in direction and a focus on quality for Rheinwood Pastoral has led to a select draft of yearlings with strong pedigrees. As they say, bred in the cold, hot on the track!
251 C/B. Russian Revolution Electric Charge
252 C/B. Merchant Navy Elegant Air
315 C/Br. Smart Missile Five Card Charlie 487 C/B. Brazen Beau Lost Without You 607 F/B. Deep Field Occasio Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
With a number of Riversdale Farm’s 2019 Magic Millions graduates already showing ability, including the stakes placed city winner Star Of Uma and the impressive Scone debut winner Okudah, the stud’s Nick and Jas Hodges have plenty to look forward to including a strong 2021 Magic Millions line-up.
LOT 64: bay filly by Pariah from Astral Miss (by Denman): the second foal for a winning half-sister to the Expressway Stakes-Gr.2, 1200m winner Happy Galaxy. Her third dam is the Coolmore Classic-Gr.1, 1600m winner Porta Roca, dam of the Dubai World Cup-Gr.1,10f winner Monterosso.
LOT 212: bay filly by So You Think from Datable (by All American): We can all remember her dam sire and sire finishing one/two in the Emirates
Stakes-Gr.1, 1600m! Her dam is a winning member of the prolific Easy Date family that has produced such terrific gallopers as Snippets, Not A Single Doubt, Ertijaal, Rewaaya, Sense Of Occasion, Oohood, Forensics and King’s Legacy.
LOT 387: bay colt by Dundeel from Identic (by I Am Invincible): brings together the outstanding stallions High Chaparral and I Am Invincible, both descendants of the famed matriarch Chelandry; a cross which has produced three
runners, all winners including the Group One filly Media Sensation. Dam is a three times winning descendant of the wonderful race mare and matriarch Triscay; the family of the big race winners La Baraka, Alizee and Astern.
LOT 490: chestnut filly by Capitalist from Loveitt (by Sebring): out of a Sandown winning halfsister to the Group winners Heavenly Thought, Shoko and Mimi Lebrock, dam of this year’s Black Opal Stakes-Gr.3, 1200m winner Barbaric.
Three of the four runners bred on this Written Tycoon/Sebring cross are winners including the stakes winner Pancho.
LOT 544: bay filly by Russian Revolution from Miss Appleton (by Align): second foal for a New Zealand Group Two winner whose dam is the Listed winner Our Aspiration, half-sister to the stakes winning juvenile Rainman. Boasts a cross of the influential mare Ciboulette, Russian Revolution’s fifth dam.
LOT 629: chestnut colt by Extreme Choice from Peace Palace (by Archipenko): dam is an imported half-sister to the Group Three winners Osaila, Dawn Wall and Obama Rule. Third dam is the French Horse Of The Year Detroit and this is the family of Zabeel and this year’s Melbourne Cup-Gr.1, 3200m hero Twilight Payment.
LOT 747: bay filly by Deep Field from Savabella Rose (by Savabeel): half-sister to recent promising maiden winner Sarodec out of a winning 3/4 sister to the Queensland DerbyGr.1, 2400m winner Brambles, the Group Three winner Lincoln Blue and the Listed winner Lopov and half-sister to the Listed winner Legsman.
LOT 939: brown filly by So You Think from Wahng Wah (by Casino Prince): second foal for a multiple city winning half-sister to the stakes placed Warranty from the Dancing Show (aka Redoute’s Choice) branch of the great Best In Show family.
It has been a great year or two for Riversdale having sold three Group One winners in recent times; the Winx Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m winner Samadoubt, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m and Memsie Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m hero Behemoth and the Doncaster Handicap-Gr.1, 1600m victor Nettoyer.
Apart from upsetting one Magic Millions sale during the winter, COVID has not hindered
Riversdale’s business in any way, Nick Hodges noting that “we have been busier than ever.” Hodges was happy to answer a few questions for us...
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
Exceed And Excel has always been a favourite, I love a horse who can do a good job on both sides of the pedigree and he is a great sire and broodmare sire. We have had a lot of success with him. More Than Ready is another, now retired but he has been a great shuttler.
WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSION OF YOUR DRAFT?
It is a nice, neat draft with a horse for everyone. There are a couple of speedy types as well as a couple by So You Think who may need a little more time though they too are quite forward. He had a great spring carnival which buyers will take into account.
WHICH HORSE IN YOUR DRAFT LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
The Capitalist/Loveitt filly, she looks the one on pedigree and type. She is a lovely, racey, early type with a strong hindquarter and a great walk. IF ANIMALS COULD TALK, WHICH WOULD BE THE RUDEST?
Definitely a teaser stallion! IN ONE SENTENCE, HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE INTERNET?
Something with endless potential, we have only just scratched the surface.
WHAT WOULD BE THE COOLEST ANIMAL TO SCALE UP TO THE SIZE OF A HORSE?
A Jack Russell, it would be absolute carnage!
Sex/Col Sire
64 F/B. Pariah Astral Miss
212 F/B. So You Think (NZ) Datable
387 C/B. Dundeel (NZ) Identic
490 F/Ch. Capitalist Loveitt
544 F/B. Russian Revolution Miss Appleton (NZ)
629 C/Ch. Extreme Choice Peace Palace (GB)
747 F/B. Deep Field Savabella Rose (NZ)
939 F/Br So You Think (NZ) Wahng Wah
www.riversdalefarm.com.au
Nick and Jas Hodges Office: 02 6545 2498
There is a certain level of expectation for success when buying out of a Segenhoe draft, but even given the farm’s well-earned reputation the results coming from its 2019 Gold Coast offerings have been quite exceptional. Still early three-year-olds, of the 21 lots offered a remarkable five are now Stakes performers with almost an assurance that figure will rise in the Autumn. And the class of 2020 has begun in a similar vein giving rise to greater belief in the 2021 yearlings.
Any farm that can deliver Stakes performers at a rate touching 25% has to be ahead of the pack, and we aren’t talking a few random Listed placings here. Buyers had the chance to secure dual Gr.1 winning two-year-old King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) from the Gold Coast two Januarys ago. Also amongst the draft were Gr.3 Black Opal Stakes winner Barbaric and dual Sydney Gr.3 winner
Holyfield (both by I Am Invincible) along with Gr.1 Flight Stakes placed Vangelic (Vancouver) and Ellsberg (Spill The Beans), recently Gr.3 placed at just his third start. And if the reports are right the names Zarastro (I Am Invincible), Pippa Charlotte (Not A Single Doubt), Kalashnikov (Capitalist), Sonora (So You Think) and Park Avenue (Fastnet Rock), all Gold Coast 2020 graduates, will be joining the list of Stakes winners shortly.
Segenhoe’s January draft is littered with pedigrees that attract more than just casual interest, so we spoke with the farm’s General Manager Peter O’Brien to get his thoughts on what buyers can expect to see when a youngster walks out of its box. When pressed O’Brien wouldn’t be drawn on singling out individual lots saying “This is as even a bunch of horses as we have ever taken to a sale. In my mind there is no tail to the draft and we go to the Gold Coast with a lot of confidence.
Segenhoe endeavours to send to Magic Millions mature, two-year-old types and our 2021 draft is a strong reflection of that policy.”
As can be expected from a premium Gold Coast draft, Segenhoe’s list is comprised of stock by the leading stallions, both domestic and international. A prime example is Lot 322, with valued client John Camilleri of Fairway Thoroughbreds having sent his good mare Florentina to Kingman at Juddmonte Farm outside Newmarket, with the resulting colt, carrying an August 2nd foaling date, offered here. Peter explained “Kingman is setting the world alight and in Australia he has only had three runners and they are all winners. This colt is a big mature, beautiful moving real two-yearold from a terrific Australian family including Redoute’s Choice himself.” By Redoute’s Choice, Florentina won the Gr.3 Gold Coast Guineas and she is already the dam of two Stakes performers.
Zoustar is always a favourite with Gold Coast buyers and his colt out of the Gr.3 placed Husson mare Miss Husson returns to the ring having made $410,000 as the highest priced weanling at the 2020 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. “He’s just an Adonis, a faultless colt. You would expect that, given his price tag as a weanling, but the great thing is he has just gone on and kept developing,” said O’Brien of Lot 550.
Shalaa has got off to a flying start in both Hemispheres and he is well represented here.
“Shalaa is a stallion we were very fond of at Segenhoe and we have four of his colts to offer.
The Stellar Vinia colt (Lot 836) is a lovely big scopey horse with an extraordinary action. The mare’s Vancouver three-year-old Bourbon Street
Any farm that can deliver Stakes performers at a rate touching 25% has to be ahead of the pack, and we aren’t talking a few random Listed placings
is at Lindsay Park who have a huge opinion of her.” Stellar Vinia is another proven Redoute’s Choice mare, dam of South African Gr.2 winner Ektifaa (More Than Ready). Then there is Lot 917, a Shalaa colt out of the Fastnet Rock mare Unassailed who traces back to the excellent producer Park Special (Relkino). “He’s a very sharp, two-year-old type who is strong, has quality and will fly early. I’m 100% sure he will be a pre-Christmas two-year-old.”
Lot 765 has plenty going for him being by I Am Invincible out of the Gr.1 Flight Stakes runner up Sensibility (Redoute’s Choice). “Every foal the mare has had has been good looking, but this is probably the best she has had, and probably the most precocious as well. He is typical of the better I Am Invincibles, a rich bay in colour with
a great action and a great mind, and he’s a horse that wants to please all the time.”
Peter believes prospective buyers will be pleasantly surprised when they inspect Lot 328, the So You Think colt out of Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner Skilled’s (Commands) full sister Fragrance, “He has an extraordinary action along with a ton of quality. What sets him apart is his terrific strength and he looks fast and precocious which is unusual for a So You Think. I think most people will be taken with him once they get to see him.”
If anyone knows what a good Merchant Navy will look like it should be O’Brien. “Merchant Navy was born and bred with us and his colt out of That’s How I Roll (Lot 876) is so like his father it is uncanny. Being out of a Speightstown mare from a fast, American family he has speed both top and bottom in his pedigree and his looks match the page.”
Of course, it’s not all about the colts with the fillies that will head to Bundall of matching standard. “We are spoilt for choice when it comes to I Am Invincible fillies. We have an absolutely stunning filly of his out of the dual Gr.3 winning sprinter Eloping which is near faultless as a type. We were fortunate enough to race the mother and we bred this horse in partnership with Michael and Siobhan Christian. She is in the mould of the better “Vinnie” fillies with great colour, a great head, and a terrific action. I will be surprised if she isn’t in the top 5% of fillies in the sale.” She sells as Lot 257. “There is also Lot 764, the filly out of Sempre Libera who is a daughter of the Golden Slipper winner Merlene.
“She is bred for speed, all quality, has a huge hip, short back and looks a real two-year-old.”
Then there is his filly out of Lonhro’s daughter Custard whose four winning foals to date are all Stakes performers headed by Gr.3 winner Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock). “Even though she is a later foal she is a very mature filly. Everything out of Custard runs and I’d be surprised if this filly is an exception.” She goes through as Lot 200.
Lot 541 has Magic Millions form being by Snitzel, sire of 2019 winner Exhilarates out of Mimi Lebrock who won the 2yo Classic back in 2007. “Mimi Lebrock has already thrown the Gr.3 winner Barbaric and you won’t miss her, she looks like she has had a run-in with a bucket of paint, but that is the Show A Heart coming through in her markings. She is a stunning filly we own 50/50 with Gerry Harvey. She looks a jump and run
two-year-old exactly what you would expect on pedigree and on looks. She is the type to set for the Magic Millions Classic and I think she will be extremely popular.”
Segenhoe will also offer as Lot 562 a Pride Of Dubai half-sister to the good sprinting threeyear-old Muntaseera, who was reared at the farm, out of Moosirra by Redoute’s Choice. “She is owned and bred by Sheikh Khalifa who has most of his mares with us. This filly is another with an extraordinary action and has the same shape as Muntaseera with a short back. She looks fast and certainly an early comer.”
After a trying year for all in the industry we asked Peter why he will be looking forward to getting to Queensland in January. “The Gold Coast is an amazing venue; it is always a buoyant sale and as the first sale after a long breeding season it is the first opportunity for everyone to meet up. Given this year and COVID we are expecting everybody will be in good form when they get there with a lot of resulting sore heads!”
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
43 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Amelia’s Love
122 C/ B. Zoustar Brulee
147 C/ Ch. Sebring Celebrities Choice
200 F/ B. or Br. I Am Invincible Custard
203 C/ B. Merchant Navy Dame Margo Fonteyn (NZ)
226 C/ Ch. Not A Single Doubt Devious Maid
257 F/ B. I Am Invincible Eloping
287 C/ Ch. Zoustar Fabvier
322 C/ B. Kingman (GB) Florentina
328 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Fragrance
410 F/ B. Pierro Irish Dream
421 C/ B. I Am Invincible Jolie Bay
447 F/ B. American Pharoah (USA) Koonoomoo
478 F/ B. Russian Revolution Lesley’s Choice
541 F/ Ch. Snitzel Mimi Lebrock
546 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Miss Foxwood
550 C/ B. or Br. Zoustar Miss Husson
562 F/ Ch. Pride of Dubai Moosirra
618 C/ Ch. Rubick Our Songbird
671 C/ B. Frankel (GB) Quality Moment (IRE)
764 F/ B. I Am Invincible Sempre Libera
765 C/ B. I Am Invincible Sensibility
836 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Stellar Vinia
876 C/ B. Merchant Navy That’s How I Roll (USA)
890 F/ B. Merchant Navy Thunder Lady (NZ)
917 C/ B. Shalaa (IRE) Unassailed
949 C/ B. Pride of Dubai Wedgetail Eagle
02 6543 9777
Peter O’Brien: 0411 852 149
Brian Clarke: 0448 302 436
Darren Corbett: 0457 439 777
Steve and Eliza Grant established their Silverdale Farm just a few short years ago at Avoca in the fertile NSW Southern Highlands. Their plan was to become one of the nation’s leading commercial breeders and they have taken one of the biggest steps in the journey to making that dream a reality with the first yearling draft under the farm’s own banner being offered at the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
It’s a small but select draft of five yearlings, four colts and a filly, all by Australia’s leading current commercial sires.
Steve Grant has enjoyed a long, successful career in business starting with macadamia farming before becoming one of Australia’s leading business park property developers. Along the way, his passion for thoroughbreds was a constant, his involvement growing as finances allowed. Silverdale Farm has been developed with the same careful planning, attention to detail, and skill in execution that made Steve Grant’s property business such a success. The farm is run by the highly skilled and dedicated team of Rob Petith and Jenny Sassier, who are no less excited than Steve about Silverdale’s initial major sale yearling offering.
General manager Rob Petith described the MM draft to Bluebloods in the following terms “Steve and Eliza chose well when they decided to establish their farm here at Avoca. Several of Australia’s leading breeders are located here in the Southern Highlands, it’s ideal horse county as the results on the track by horses bred here have shown. Steve has implemented the best ideas gained from years in the industry and we have been able to ensure that we have all the necessary facilities to produce high class athletes in a safe, practical environment. It’s a beautiful property and a great place to work.”
“This initial draft of ours has been carefully selected to showcase the farm. We are proud to be able to present to the market five yearlings from young mares, all with early foaling dates, and all by proven sires. Not A Single Doubt, Written Tycoon and Pierro are three of Australia’s best sires, all currently top five actually, while Deep Field and Shalaa are among the hottest first and third season sires in the country. I can’t
wait to get to the Gold Coast to present these five youngsters to potential buyers.”
The Silverdale draft leads off with lot 27, a chestnut colt by current sire sensation, the magnificent chestnut Written Tycoon out of the Fastnet Rock mare Alcatraz who is already the dam of Gr.1 placed Kubrick, winner of $852K. This is the family of Hong Kong HOTY and champion sprinter Fairy King Prawn.
The second offering from the farm is lot 142, a bay colt by current impressive first season sire Shalaa out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Cashla Bay. He is the third foal of a daughter of the Gr.3 winner of nine races Bush Honey, from the family of current rising star Power Scheme and Gr.1 winner Strada. Third into the ring from Silverdale will be lot 191, a bay colt by crack third season sire Deep Field out of another mare by exciting broodmare sire Fastnet Rock in Courageous Kitty. Significantly the mare’s only previous named foal is the talented Intrepidacious, already winner of four races and $183K. Grandam Rostova was a Gr.1 winner and is a Gr.1 producer, while the dam Courageous Kitty is a full sister to Gr.1 placed multiple group winner Anaheed (5 wins, $1.5million).
Next to be offered, and last of the four colts, lot 391 is the bay colt by Golden Slipper winner and leading fifth crop sire, the sensational Pierro, whose colts include Gr.1 winners and superstars such as Pierata, Levendi, Shadow Hero and Regal Power, with his daughter Arcadia Queen having legimitate claims to being the best horse in the country, if not a dead heat with Verry Elleegant. This colt is the first foal of the Gr.3 winner of five races and $357K Imposing Lass who is by Makfi, a successful son of the great sire Dubawi. Imposing Lass is a full sister to NZ HOTY, Multiple Gr.1 winner Bonneval, familiar to Aussies as the heroine of the ATC Australian Oaks
and MRC Underwood S, two of our elite Gr.1s. To put the icing on the cake, this colt features a return of Zabeel in the mare and two of Pierro’s six Gr.1 winners, namely the colt Pierata and the filly Pinot feature a return of Zabeel. This colt displays the same pattern as Pierata.
It will be well worth the wait for Silverdale’s final baby into the ring, lot 705. This filly is sure to be one of the most sought after lots in the sale, she is a bay full sister to the brilliant 2YO Legend of Condor, 3rd in the ATC Skyline Stakes Gr.2 and runner up in the ATC Kindergarten Stakes Gr.3 two of Sydney’s top juvenile contests. This filly is by Not A Single Doubt out of the Success Express mare Rhodamine. Not A Single Doubt is currently Australia’s leading sire, his son Classique Legend won the Everest and is rated better than Sir Dapper by his legendary trainer Les Bridge. But wait, there’s more, the stallion’s fillies are as good as his colts, with current star multiple Gr.1 winner Shout The Bar, Kenedna, Miracles Of Life and Magic Millions 2YO winner Karuta Queen among his daughters. It’s an underappreciated fact that Not A Single Doubt has sired 14 individual Gr.1 winners, same as Snitzel, and of course that is not even counting his superstar Classique Legend.
The Written Tycoon colt is a Super VOBIS and VOBIS Sires yearling, while the other four are all BOBS youngsters.
Steve Grant summed up the initial Silverdale draft as follows, “It’s an exciting time for our farm after a challenging year in 2020. I would like to thank our neighbours Greg and Jo Griffin, John Muir and Scott Holcombe who have consigned yearlings for us previously, and also Rob Petith, Jenny Sassier and everyone on the farm who has done the hard work in preparing these five youngsters. I’m also looking forward to meeting all our clients and friends at the Gold Coast early in the new year.”
Turangga Farm is maintaining its long standing record of sending yearlings to the January sale, but this time the yearlings are being prepared by Cameron and Kellie Bond’s Kenmore Lodge and Alexia Fraser Bloodstock.
These yearlings have been raised on the special pastures of Turangga, smack bang in the middle of the famed Segenhoe Valley just outside Scone in New South Wales’ Upper Hunter. That in itself is a wonderful head start in life for these four on offer. Near neighbours to Turangga include Arrowfield, Vinery, Kia Ora, Segenhoe, Darley, Newgate, Holbrook, Valiant and Glastonbury.
Warren Wruck spoke to John Ramsey of Turangga Farm about the draft and how things have been progressing in 2020.
HOW HAS YOUR FARM RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID 19?
“We have just taken care of essentials – no real change to lifestyle.”
WHICH ARE YOUR FAVOURITE STALLIONS?
“All Too Hard gets winners and I like Saxon Warrior. Plenty of well credentialed stallions to
choose from but it depends on whether you want to breed or race.”
DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021.
Lot 262 bay colt Rubick – Empress Matilda (by Charge Forward). From the Kenmore Lodge draft, John describes him as, “A very nice wellbalanced colt – a mature individual. Will be a nice 2YO and go early. Very fast family.”
His dam Empress Matilda is a winning full-sister to Champion 2YO Filly of 2008-09 Headway, winner of the VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes Gr.1, the AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes Gr.3, and placed 2nd in the STC Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1. Their dam Chatelaine was a three times winner and Gr.2 and Gr.3 placed.
His sire Rubick is making a great impression and one needs look no further than his brilliant Everest winning son Yes Yes Yes to know that he can produce a top liner.
Lot 446 brown filly Vancouver – Knockout Girl (by Not a Single Doubt). This filly is in Alexia
Fraser’s draft and has plenty to recommend her. “A precocious type with a great attitude, she will make a fantastic race filly. Her mother was extremely fast and any trainer would love to have her.”
Her dam is a 2YO winner and a half-sister to Heugill, a winner and Gr1-placed in the MRC Caulfield Guineas. A powerful South African black type family backs up her pedigree with her Gr.1 winning grand dam Trust Antonia representative of that. Her sire Vancouver is travelling very nicely indeed with a Gr.2 winner in South Africa and Night Raid leading the way here at home.
Lot 522 bay colt Pierro – Marseille en Fleur (by Swiss Ace). Another colt being prepared by Kenmore Lodge, John describes this fellow as, “Put together extremely well. Has a terrific attitude and will make a nice 3YO. He has the demeanour to go early as well. He is out of a stakes placed 2YO from a cracking family.”
Marseille en Fleur, his dam, is a half-sister to Danpegi the dam of Rose of Choice, winner of
the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. Their dam is the stakes winner and Gr1-placed Danehill mare Rose of Dane while his sire Pierro continues on his merry way, siring winner after winner, both fillies and colts at Gr.1 level.
Lot 891 brown colt All Too Hard – Tiarazou (by Zizou). Another colt in the Kenmore Lodge draft, this youngster is a full-brother to Randwick and Moonee Valley winner Human Nature. John says, “His brother is going well and this fellow will be a real trainer’s horse – will be an asset to any stable. A full-brother to Human Nature who is a fast progressive stakes horse.”
From a very strong family, his dam Tiarazou, a Melbourne winner at 2 years, is a full-sister to Zoutenant, winner of the Wyong Magic MillionsRL. Their dam Tenant’s Tiara is a daughter of Beautiful Crown and a winner of the AJC Eskimo Prince Stakes- Listed. His sire All Too Hard is one of Australia’s best young sires.
WHICH HORSE IN YOUR DRAFT LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
“If you want a filly choose the Vancouver and if you want a colt, take your pick.”
IN 40 YEARS, WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE NOSTALGIC FOR?
“Less tech, more practical basics – especially for kids.”
WHAT ARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF WHERE YOU WORK?
“We make our own rules. Blood is thicker than water.”
HOW MANY CHICKENS WOULD IT TAKE TO KILL AN ELEPHANT?
“Depends on the ticker of the elephant. Maybe one plucked chook could be scary enough to do it?”
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING A GUEST HAS DONE AT YOUR HOUSE?
“I worry about myself - not my guests!”
WHAT INANIMATE OBJECT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD ELIMINATE FROM EXISTENCE?
“iPads for kids. Computer games. In fact, anything that stops kids from going outside.”
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU REFUSE TO SHARE?
Can’t say. Loose lips sink ships.”
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
2021 VENDOR
Kristen Manning
What a year the historic Tyreel Stud in the capable hands of Linda and Laurence Monds, is enjoying, cheering on the likes of Behemoth (Memsie Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m), Classique Legend (The Everest, 1200m) and Montefilia (Flight Stakes-Gr.1, 1600m, Spring Champion Stakes-Gr.1, 2000m) to big race success.
The two dual Group One winners are both graduates of Magic Millions sales and already Tyreel’s 2020 draft are showing promise with the Richard and Michael Freedman trained Allusionist being a recent trial winner. Meanwhile their 2019draftproducedthreestakeswinnersfrom just ten yearlings; Montefilia, Every Rose and Snickerdoodledandy.
Tyreel presents another impressive draft for2021...
Lot144-bayfillybyIAmInvinciblefromCatalonia (byFlyingSpur):sistertothe(restricted)Listed winner Espaaniyah out of a stakes placed 3/4sistertotheGroupThreewinnerJordafrom aterrificoldWoodlandsStudfamily.
“A sensational filly,” saidstudmanagerRob Sims. “With her striking good looks, short coupled frame and athletic movement she is amust-seeseeonanyinspectioncard.
Lot 161 - chestnut colt by Written Tycoon from Choux Diva (by Thorn Park): second foal for a Sandown winning sister to the Group One winners Jimmy Choux (NZ Horse Of The Year) andMissWilson.
“A sharp short coupled colt, a real Magic Millions type.”
Lot 193 - bay filly by Hellbent from Couredge (by Show A Heart): half-sister to the Gimcrack Stakes-Gr.3, 1000m winner Every Rose and the metropolitan winners Academy and Smartedge out of a half-sister to the stakes winners Vintedge and Youths Edge from the family of Racer’s Edge.
“An eye-catching filly from a speed influenced colonial family, she will draw plenty of attention.”
Lot 246 - chestnut colt by Ocean Park from Dubrovnik (by Medaglia d’Oro): son of a three times winning half-sister to the tough campaigner Unbiased from the family of the dual Group One winner Tempest Morn.
“An angular, loose moving colt who is maturing into a very progressive looking type. “
Lot 254 - brown colt by Spirit of Boom from Elimbari (by Fastnet Rock): half-brother to four winners including the stakes placed Vincere Volare and Conscious out of a stakes placed city winning daughter of the fast Listed winner Shalt Not.
“An athletic nice moving progressive colt who is very typical of the sire. “
Lot 305 - bay filly by Hellbent from Fimatino (by Not A Single Doubt): half-sister to Shaquero who looked so good winning the Breeder’s Plate-Gr.3, 1000m at debut in early October. Her dam is a two times winning half-sister to the Singapore based dual stakes winner Ghozi and to the dam of the W.S Cox Plate-Gr.1, 2040m hero Shamus Award.
“One of the nicest representatives of the Hellbent breed, she is a striking filly with imposing looks and fluid movement.”
Lot 501 - bay/brown filly by Zoustar from Mabkhara (by Anabaa): dam’s five to race are all winners including the Group Three placegetters Wandabaa and Seewhatshebrings. Hails from the prolific Easy Date family.
“A sharp and bright minded filly, very typical of her sire.”
Lot 508 - chestnut colt by Not A Single Doubt from Magic Nera (by Lonhro): descending from the champion New Zealand filly Tidal Light, she is out of a sister to the Listed winner Tromso and half-sister to the Listed winner Primero.
“He has great flashy features much in the mould of many of his sire’s speedsters such as
Miracles Of Life and Karuta Queen; he has all in front of him, if you can catch him!”
Lot 549 - chestnut filly by Sebring from Miss Hufflepuff (by Encosta de Lago): boasting a cross of the terrific mare Rolls, she is out of a city winning daughter of the Irish stakes winner Miss Helga, also dam of the Hong Kong stakes winner Liberator.
“A mature and powerful filly who has the scope to be early and the substance to train on.”
Lot 634 - bay colt by So You Think from Perfectly Safe (by Exceed And Excel): first foal for a Sandown winning half-sister to the multiple city winner Lonhruge from a high class European family.
“A classic colt with size, strength and power like his sire.”
Lot 814 - bay/brown filly by Zoustar from Sous la Terre (by Pierro): first foal for a half-sister to the dual Group Three winning high class broodmare Solar Charged, sire (by Zoustar) of the Australian Champion 3Y0 Filly Sunlight and the Group Three winner Sisstar.
“The filly with the X Factor. Rarely does all this combine but this strong looking filly has great strength through her shoulders and hip that will develop into an amazing source of power and strength.”
Lot 886 - bay filly by Smart Missile from Think Out Loud (by So You Think): first foal for a city placed half-sister to the Group Two winner Miss Gunpowder from the family of the Group One mare Absolut Glam.
“A sharp looking filly with a great attitude, she has all the makings of a precocious athlete.”
Renée Geelen
Vinery Stud has an enviable record with their Magic Millions Gold Coast graduates, and it is one that buyers should pay attention to in 2021. Since 2018, Vinery Stud has sold Gr.1 Golden Slipper winner and Champion 2yo Farnan, Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates (who went on to be a Group winner and won a Listed race at her most recent start in November 2020), Gr.2 winner Letzbeglam, and Gr.3 winners Kooweerup and Hard Landing.
In 2021, Vinery Stud will offer twentytwo yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Bluebloods spoke toVinery’sAdamWhiteaboutlifeinapandemic andthehighlightsoftheirupcomingdraft.
HOWHASYOURFARMRISENTOTHE CHALLENGESPRESENTEDBYCOVID19?
It has clearly been a challenging year for a lot of people within the industry. We have been a bitluckythankstoourlocationbecausewehave not really been exposed to the forefront of the virus,sothedaytodayrunningofthefarmhas changedverylittle.Wehadtochangethewaywe markethorsesforbothliveandonlineauctions duetopeoplenotbeingabletoattendsalesnor havingtheopportunitytoinspectthehorses.This resulted in more intense information sharing, andmorevideosandphotosthatwewere able toprovide,sothateverypotentialbuyerhadas muchinformationavailabletothemaspossible. This will continue in 2021 since a lot of people from overseas will not be able to attend the saleswheretheyoncewouldhave.
WHAT ARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF WHERE YOU WORK?
Fill the coffee jug when empty IF ANIMALS COULD TALK, WHICH WOULD BE THE RUDEST?
Llama, it doesn’t even need to talk. WHAT WOULD BE THE COOLEST ANIMAL TO SCALE UP TO THE SIZE OF A HORSE?
Without doubt a quokka.
WHICH HORSE IN YOUR DRAFT LOOKS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN A MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC OR A GOLDEN SLIPPER?
After selling both a Magic Millions winner in Exhilarates and Golden Slipper winner in Farnan over the last two years I would say any of our draft are a real chance to win either of those races! But if I had to pick, I would go with the More Than Ready filly from Single Style (Not a Single Doubt). Her sire and dam are proven
at getting an early type and there is plenty to indicate this filly will go fast early.
A full sister to winning and Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes placed Still Single, the filly Adam White mentioned is out of a Listed winning half-sister to the speedy eight race winner Fab Fevola (fourth in the Gr.1 Lightning Stakes). This is the family of Gr.1 sprinter Flamberge, and Gr.3 winner Doubtful Jack.
DESCRIBE YOUR DRAFT FOR 2021 WITH HIGHLIGHTS
Similar to last year, it is a very even draft. Last year’s draft included the impressive metropolitan debut winner Miss Hipstar, the first winner for her sire Star Turn. We’re bringing some nice Star Turns this year, which includes a nice colt from Cocoexcel (Exceed and Excel) as well as two nice fillies by him from Bonded and Spoleto. I think the two horses that are a real highlight in our draft are an I Am Invincible colt from Mousai and a lovely Written Tycoon colt from Afleet Esprit. They are real head turners.
The Vinery draft for 2021 includes 15 colts and 7 fillies, and has a good spread of stallions represented with the progeny of eleven different sires. Vinery stalwart More Than Ready has five yearlings entered, including the Single Style mentioned above, and a filly from Gr.1 winner Allez Wonder (making the filly a full sister to 2YO Group winner Kooweerup). A halfbrother to Gr.1 placed Stakes winner Sagaronne, out of Gr.3 winner Lasoron also enjoyed a pedigree highlight.
Mentioned above by Adam White, the I Am Invincible colt is the first foal of a winning halfsister to Starspangledbanner, while the Written Tycoon colt is out of Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Afleet Esprit (Bel Esprit). The Snitzel yearling colt in the Vinery draft is a threequarter brother to Group winner Very Tempting and he has a strong family, being out of a winning half-sister to Catbird and Danbird. The three yearlings by Star Turn include a half-brother to Gr.2 winner Afleet Esprit out of four time winner Bonded (Danewin). A filly out of imported winning USA mare Spoleto, who is a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Things Change and Stakes winner Dinner Break. The other Star Turn filly is the second foal of three time city winner Cocoexcel, from the family of Headturner, Anacheeva, Golden Archer and O’Marilyn.
Other sires represented are All Too Hard, Capitalist, Flying Artie, Headwater, Russian Revolution and Shalaa.
Close inspection is warranted. The next Magic Millions winner might be right there in this quality Vinery offering.
After selling both a Magic Millions winner in Exhilarates and Golden Slipper winner in Farnan over the last two years I would say any of our draft are a real chance to win either of those races!
New Zealand’s Breeder of the Year will offer a rare selection of yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Waikato Stud tend to send a few yearlings to Australia every year through other vendor’s drafts, however, they have brought drafts to this sale under their own name in the past as well.
Bluebloods asked Mark Chittick why he’d chosen to send a draft of ten yearlings to the Gold Coast in 2021?
“Two main reasons. The Australian industry is the most positive and productive part of racing in the world, and year in year out we sell the majority of our yearlings to the Australian market. It makes sense with the obvious challenges this year to spread our horses among different sale companies, given there is still a chance the Australian buyers might not be able to travel to New Zealand. We decided to take our product to them.”
HOW HAS WAIKATO STUD RISEN TO THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY COVID19?
“The decision to spread out our yearling across different sales this year has come from this situation, but it also sets up Waikato Stud for a longer term involvement in the Australian yearlings market. We are so lucky - the best racing in the world is only three hours away. Waikato Stud’s results on the Australian racetrack are excellent, a fact we are very proud of. In terms of other impacts, it’s mostly been business as usual, and our next challenge will be to ensure we can attend the Australian sales alongside our horses.”
DESCRIBE YOUR MAGIC MILLIONS DRAFT FOR 2021
“We were absolutely meticulous on selection for this sale. It was a lengthy process that took everything into consideration to ensure the product was 100% for this market; type, pedigree, x-rays, scope, everything. We wanted potential buyers interested in our product to bid with confidence knowing that the horses can’t be faulted in any way.”
With over one hundred stakes winners and multiple Champion Sire titles, Savabeel is one of the great stallions of the current era. Best known for his classic winners, his stock are versatile and buyers at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale should note his two yearold group horses; Gr.1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Pasadena Girl, and Gr.1 ARC Diamond Stakes winners Cool Aza Beel and Sword of Osman. Waikato Stud’s Savabeel yearlings for this sale all have precocious pedigrees that will appeal to Magic Millions buyers.
His six yearlings include four colts and two fillies. Plenty of two year-old form surrounds the first foal of Gram, Lot 355, as he is a three quarter brother to Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Gold Fever (Savabeel), a race also won by this yearling’s dam’s half-brother Gold Rush, while Calaverite won the Listed Gimcrack Stakes; and this yearling’s second dam is Gr.2 Karrakatta Plate winner Gold Rocks.
A standout on paper is the colt from Candelabra, Lot 134, as he is a three-quarter brother to Gr.1 winners Diademe and Embellish (now standing at Cambridge Stud), from the family of Gr.1 sprinter Sacred Star, meanwhile another stunning pedigree page belongs to Lot 155, the full brother to Listed winner Savacool who is out of Chilled Out, a half-sister to Gr.1 placed Listed winner The Big Chill.
The other Savabeel colt, Lot 922, is the third foal of winning mare Urban, who is a half-sister to tough Gr.3 winner Residential from a strong colonial family.
Waikato Stud will also present two Savabeel fillies; Lot 605, from speedy winning mare O’Dianne (who ran fourth in two Listed two year-old races) is from a solid New Zealand family with plenty of quality black type winners. The other filly, Lot 935, is out of a full sister to four time Gr.1 winner and sire Alamosa (O’Reilly) as well as closely related to Macau Listed winner Sacred Capital, while Gr.1 winning two year-old Dal Cielo also in this family.
Waikato Stud will present three yearlings by their young sire Tivaci, whose first crop have recently turned two. Tivaci is a sprinting son of High Chaparral who won the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes. The colt from Chorus, Lot 160, is a half-brother to two stakes placed winners, from the family of Gr.1 winners Daffodil, Good Faith, and recent NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner Aegon. A colt, Lot 442 is the third foal of winning mare Kim Dynasty, a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Arlingtonboulevard and stakes winner Europe to Africa. The other Tivaci is a filly, Lot 138, and she is the first foal of Caramel Sundae, a daughter of Gr.2 Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Shopaholic, from the great Waikato Stud family of Sacred Falls.
Savabeel by Zabeel. The Waikato stallion has emerged as one of the best and most versatile stallions in Australasia. His six yearlings in Waikato’s 2021 MM draft are sure to be amongst the busiest at the sale on inspection days.
Ocean Park has been kicking goals lately with the likes of Kolding, Tofane, and Oceanex, and his yearling colt from Impurrfection, Lot 392, is the second foal of a half-sister to Singapore’s Golden Horseshoe winner Kiwi Karma and Australian Listed winner Seaway.
Buyers who inspect Waikato Stud’s draft can buy with confidence knowing the horses all come from a farm with an outstanding black type producing record.
Lot Sex/Col. Sire Dam
134 C/Br. Savabeel Candelabra (NZ)
138 F/B./Br. Tivaci Caramel Sundae (NZ)
155 C/B. Savabeel Chilled Out (NZ)
160 C/B. Tivaci Chorus (NZ)
355 C/Br./Blk. Savabeel Gram (NZ)
392 C/B. Ocean Park (NZ) Impurrfection (NZ)
442 C/B. Tivaci Kim Dynasty
605 F/B./Br. Savabeel O’Dianne (NZ)
922 C/Br. Savabeel Urban (NZ)
935 F/Br. Savabeel Virginia (NZ)
The old story is that it takes 40 years of hard work and dedication to become an overnight success. Yarraman Park at Scone is an excellent case in point. Harry Mitchell elaborated recently, “Arthur and I have been very fortunate, after many years of hard work we now have a top commercial sire in I Am Invincible standing at the farm. But we are not resting on our laurels, we looked hard to find a suitable son of his and we are confident we have the right one in Hellbent.
“Vinnie was a terrific racehorse, a close second to Takeover Target in a Gr.1s nothing to be sneezed at. But his son Hellbent actually won one of Australia’s strongest Gr.1s, the William Reid S-1200m at Moonee Valley. His record over
We are taking a really strong draft up to the Gold Coast in January, I can’t wait to present our 10 Hellbent youngsters to buyers, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for Yarraman.
1000m to 1200m was sensational, he has the ideal credentials to produce the type of horse buyers are looking for at our sales.
“This Invincible Spirit sireline is really delivering the goods with I Am Invincible and Kingman being two of the hottest sires on the planet. Their sire Green Desert is one of Danzig’s most influential sons, and Hellbent is inbred to him, so we couldn’t ask for more.
“We are taking a really strong draft up to the Gold Coast in January, I can’t wait to present our 10 Hellbent youngsters to buyers, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for Yarraman. And of course, it goes without saying that we have a wonderful lineup of 14 by Vinnie, which are out of some of the best mares he’s ever covered. As his success grows, he keeps getting better mares to the point where he’s now covering mares such as Mossfun and Black Caviar. Sometimes Arthur and I have to remind ourselves that this is all
really happening. But the result is that the I Am Invincible yearlings are out of better mares each year, it’s great for the farm. And of course as Vinnie’s fee kept climbing, a lot of breeders have sent very good mares to his son Hellbent, which should help him get off to a good start.”
Harry Mitchell has identified a trend that has been successful in thoroughbred breeding right throughout its long and illustrious history. The best son of a crack sire from his early crops is identified by breeders as a suitable candidate to send the type of mares that worked with his sire, often leading to similar success for the son. Yarraman will be looking for the trend to continue.
The balance of the farm’s 2021 draft is rounded out with yearlings by top commercial sires Exceed And Excel, So You Think, Capitalist, Spirit Of Boom and No Nay Never. The Mitchell brothers, Arthur and Harry will be on patrol as usual, keeping a friendly eye on their parades, catching up with clients and quietly confident that Hellbent can make an auspicious debut at the 2021 Magic Millions in January.
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
23 C/ B. Hellbent Air Apparent
26 C/ B. I Am Invincible Al’s Magic Miss
100 F/ B. I Am Invincible Bidii Babe
131 F/ B. or Br. I Am Invincible Calming Influence
132 F/ B. Hellbent Camporella
159 F/ B. I Am Invincible Choose
206 F/ B. Hellbent Dancing Express
208 F/ B. I Am Invincible Danish Spy
227 F/ B. Hellbent Devoirs
230 F/ B. Hellbent Diamond Cove
300 C/ B. So You Think (NZ) Feirin
307 C/ Blk. Capitalist Finally
324 F/ B. I Am Invincible Flying Jess
338 C/ B. Hellbent Geneteau
416 F/ B. Hellbent Jalan Jalan
460 C/ B. or Br. No Nay Never (USA) Lagerphone
498 F/ B. Spirit of Boom Lusitania
506 F/ Ch. Capitalist Magic Harmony
532 C/ B. Hellbent Meridian
620 C/ B. I Am Invincible Overstep
658 C/ B. I Am Invincible Precious Memories
669 F/ B. I Am Invincible Pursuits
673 C/ B. Hellbent Queen of Kandy
721 C/ B. I Am Invincible Rose of Choice
738 C/ B. I Am Invincible Saint Minerva
770 F/ B. I Am Invincible Set to Unleash
790 F/ Br. Spirit of Boom Show Bender
832 F/ B. Exceed And Excel Status Quo
858 C/ B. I Am Invincible Sweet Kiss
867 C/ B. I Am Invincible Take Pride
920 F/ B. Hellbent Unswerving
1261 C/ B. or Br. Epaulette Honolulu Lass
The rise and rise of Yulong as a major player in the Australian bloodstock market continues unabated. Progress in 2020 can be measured by the strong showing at January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, Gr.1 success for Mr Zhang’s green, white checked sleeves both domestically and in Europe, and the continued development at its three Victorian properties to accommodate a growing broodmare band and an evolving stallion roster. Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer, Sam Fairgray, provided an insight into Yulong’s direction and what buyers can expect from their 2021 Magic Millions draft.
From an outsider’s perspective watching the birth and growth of Yulong has made a refreshing change. It is clear Mr Zhang hasn’t fallen into the trap of ignoring the economics of running a Thoroughbred business in Australia, which has often been a problem for new players in years past. No, here there is a clear plan for expansion built on success, success like the victories of Yulong Prince (Gimmethegreenlight) in the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes and Lucky Vega (Lope De Vega) in the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, with both horses sure to be added to the burgeoning Yulong stallion roster in the coming seasons.
As Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray is tasked with steering the business on its current course. “Yulong is growing and expanding at quite a quick rate. The business currently owns 200 broodmares
and with the establishment of the stallion facility this year we stood two stallions in Grunt (O’Reilly) and Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice). In the years ahead it could be up to ten to twelve stallions. We want to be a leading commercial operation and offer the market the progeny of those mares and stallions, so by placing some of our best yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale it gives us the opportunity to showcase the quality of horse that carries the Yulong brand. It also provides a further opportunity to show the industry what Yulong is trying to achieve in becoming one of its leading farms.” Asked what the attraction was to selling on the Gold Coast, Fairgray answered “Magic Millions is a sale that has grown rapidly in the last seven to eight years along with international participation. This year looks different without international buyers on the ground, but through their agents I’m sure they will continue to buy.”
Looking at the 21 strong Yulong draft for January, buyers won’t be left short of options. “We have tried to target forward, mature sort of horses, largely two-year-old types, but we’ve got a nice mix in the draft including a couple of Savabeels and also a couple of Frankels. Although, in the past, Magic Millions has been predominantly focussed on two-year-old speed, now with staying races on the card at the annual raceday there are targets and opportunities for a broader spectrum of horses. A good type will always sell well at
Frankel (by Galileo) was one of the greatest racehorses in the history of the thoroughbred and is now a leading sire. He has a filly and a colt in the 2021 MM Yulong draft along with a pair of fillies by two other top international sires Kingman and Siyouni
Magic Millions, whether they are a two-year-old sort or a horse that looks like it may mature into a three-year-old.”
Discussing Yulong’s philosophy with regards preparation for sale Fairgray explained, “With our horses it is very much about getting the breeding right, rearing them and giving them the best possible chance of growing and developing while educating them during that process as well. Once they are weaned they come through the stables for at least a week every two months where they will go on the horse walker, are rugged, boxed for four or five days, all to get them into a routine so that when they come in for their yearling prep and at the sales, they are already relaxed and in that groove. It follows that when they enter the trainer’s stable for the first time, they learn to accept things a lot easier and I think that sort of experience certainly makes a difference.”
In what is an exceptionally strong catalogue even by Magic Millions’ standards Yulong will offer one of the stand-out colts of the sale. Lot 284 is a cracking sort by I Am Invincible out of Hussonet’s daughter Extremely making him a half-brother to six winners including Extreme Choice. Blessed with blistering speed Extreme Choice won the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes at two and came back at three to win the Gr.1 A J Moir Stakes at weightfor-age before taking up stud duties. Sam said of the colt “He’s a sharp, athletic type with a good
sensible head. We expect he will be extremely popular with buyers.”
Yulong will also offer four lots by four-time Champion Australia Sire Snitzel headed by Lot 358, a filly out of the former top sprinting mare Gregers. “She has a lot of Snitzel about her, looks very fast and looks the kind of filly that will be up and going pretty quickly”, said Fairgray. For her part Gregers won the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, was Gr.1 placed on three occasions and is a daughter of noted broodmare sire Commands.
Yulong will also offer a Snitzel filly out of Shoot The Breeze, an All American half-sister to I Am Invincible, as Lot 788.
Continuing the theme of stock by Champion sires the Yulong draft contains a pair of fillies by Exceed And Excel. Lot 148 is out of General Nediym’s daughter Cerberus Girl, three times Group placed and the dam of the Gr.3 winner as a two-yearold in Irukandji (Dundeel). The other filly sells as Lot 102 and is out of the O’Reilly mare Birdy O’Reilly who is a granddaughter that tremendous producer Parfore (Gold Brose). Parfore is renowned as the dam of prolific sprinters Tiger Tees (Dubawi) and Terravista (Captain Rio), both Gr.1 winners, the multiple Gr.2 winner Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi) and the Listed winners Super Easy (Darci Brahma) and Our Lukas (Generous). “These are two very nice Exceed And Excel fillies, both lovely types that will be very popular at the sale”, Sam advised.
Yulong will offer one of the stand-out colts of the sale. Lot 284 is a cracking sort by I Am Invincible out of Hussonet’s daughter Extremely making him a half-brother to six winners including Extreme Choice.
Any agent with an order for a more Classic type of horse would do well to inspect Lots 129 and 642, yearlings by six-time Champion Sire in New Zealand in Savabeel. Lot 129 is out of Encosta De Lago’s daughter Cajou making him a half-brother to the Gr.3 winning, Gr.1 placed stayer Allergic (Street Cry) while 642’s dam Pikari Star (Choisir) add some speed to the pedigree given she won over 875 metres and is a half-sister to Stop Making Sense (Sebring) who was Gr.3 placed over 1200 metres.
The three hottest young stallions in Europe at present would be Frankel, Kingman and Siyouni, and the trio will all have stock selling under the Yulong banner come January. Sam explained “Mr Zhang follows international racing very closely. He loves Frankel having seen him race and has sent mares to him for the past three years. The decision was made to have Frankel serve some of Mr Zhang’s European based mares to Southern
Sam
Fairgray, Chief Operating Officer with Yulong Chairman Yueshen Zhang
Hemisphere time. We identified Kingman as a likely progressive stallion and Siyouni was already established and we felt that the resulting progeny of these coverings would be accepted by the Australasian buying bench. It is great to have that international flavour scattered through a draft with most of the leading local stallions represented. We are very lucky in that of the 21 yearlings we will present 20 are by established stallions and the other is by Capitalist who has made a tremendous start to his career as a sire. Given that the Bloodstock market has become so global in recent years I think it is fantastic that international buyers can look at our horses by stallions like Frankel, Kingman and Siyouni and be comfortable knowing what they can offer.” Siyouni’s reputation in the Northern Hemisphere continues to blossom and just last October his sons Sottsass and St Mark’s Basilica won Europe’s premier weight-for-age race in the Gr.1 l’Arc de Triomphe and leading juvenile race, The Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, respectively. From just a handful of runners in Australia he is the sire of the Gr.2 winner as a juvenile in Aylmerton and buyers get an opportunity to tap into his genes through Lot 610, a stunning filly out of Ocean Drive by Sea The Stars. Twice a winner over middle-distance trips and a half-sister to three Stakes winners, Ocean Drive comes from the family of Josr Algarhoud (Darshaan), a leading juvenile of his day. Similarly, Champion miler Kingman has made a tremendous start to his career siring a handful of Gr.1 winners from three crops of racing age. His filly that sells as Lot 686 is out of Rayaa (Virtual) a winner at two and from the family of the Gr.1 winners and successful sires Bahri and Bahhare.
Frankel is now clearly established as one of the world’s best sires, and is starting to make his presence felt in Australia. It was only this past Spring where, in the space of two hours, two margins of a head denied the son of Galileo three Australian Gr.1 winners in an afternoon, Mirage Dancer winning the Gr.1 The Metropolitan and Finche in the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes and the Yulong owned Hungry Heart in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes beaten by a head each. The Yulong draft includes a colt to sell as Lot 278 out of Evening Rose, a Street Cry daughter of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner Bramble Rose and Lot 339, the first foal of the Shamardal mare Ghadaayer who was twice a winner at two and out of Eldalil (Singspiel)
who was runner up in the Gr.2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
It says much about the quality of the Yulong draft that we haven’t touched on the superb youngsters by Pierro, Sebring, Capitalist, Zoustar and So You Think all to be offered on the Gold Coast. But then again, that is just another example of how far Yulong has come in its short existence.
Lot Sex/Col Sire Dam
15 F/ B. Pierro Acing Shamrock
82 C/ B. Pierro Banuelo
102 F/ B. Exceed And Excel Birdy O’Reilly
129 C/ B. Savabeel Cajou
140 C/ B. or Br. Snitzel Caricature (USA)
148 F/ Ch. Exceed and Excel Cerberus Gal
223 F/ B. Snitzel Descent
278 C/ Ch. Frankel (GB) Evening Rose
284 C/ B. I Am Invincible Extremely
293 F/ Br. or Gr. So You Think (NZ) Faith’s Encore
339 F/ B. or Br. Frankel (GB) Ghadaayer (IRE)
358 F/ B. Snitzel Gregers
552 C/ Br. Sebring Miss Jamaica
575 F/ Ch. Capitalist Motown Lil
604 C/ B. or Br. So You Think (NZ) Nombeko (IRE)
610 F/ Ch. Siyouni (FR) Ocean Drive (IRE)
642 F/ B. Savabeel Pikari Star
686 F/ B. Kingman (GB) Rayaa (GB)
717 C/ B. Pierro Rockzel (NZ)
788 F/ Ch. Snitzel Shoot the Breeze
958 C/ B. Zoustar Written Era
Rd, Mangalore VIC 3663 (03) 5796 2741
Sam Fairgray: 0418 427 568 samfairgray@yulonginvest.com.au
An essential reference work
The perfect gift for a thoroughbred breeder
“Great Thoroughbred Sires Of The World-Update-The Modern Era” features comprehensive statistics on 153 of the world’s great sires.
Fourteen years ago Bluebloods published Great Thoroughbred Sires Of The World (GTSOW) which covered 205 leading sires worldwide from 1900 to 2006. A lot has happened since then, this new book has all the significant updates. BONUS. There is a bonus for breeders with expanded information on a number of iconic stallions of Australia and New Zealand breeding since the 1950s.
Superbly illustrated, this 300 page book will help you keep your finger on the pulse of the breeding industry. Stallions are its lifeblood.
Limited stock – buy before it sells out
Our previous book GTSOW was a complete sellout of a 2,500 print run. There are only 500 copies of GTSOW-Update-The Modern Era available for retail sale. It makes an ideal gift for yourself or a friend, so please don’t miss out, order soon.
WE’RE UP AND RUNNING AGAIN
Come up and experience Nineteen at The Star’s new set menu, high above the glittering Gold Coast. You’ll re-discover the freshest seasonal produce, extensive wine list and welcoming service, combining to create the idyllic spot for a leisurely lunch or a dinner that dreams are made of. So come up and see us again.