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Attunga Stud
from 2024 MMGC Magazine
Brian Nutt is renowned for the top quality yearlings sold by his Attunga Stud over a long period and for the tireless work he put in to help establish the current Scone racecourse when it was in its fledgling stage. His reputation as one of the Hunter Valley’s finest horsemen is a byword in the industry.
Attunga Stud’s established brand moved to a new farm a few years ago after selling their original property to neighbouring Yarraman Park Stud, and the new property is located on the proven producing paddocks of Wakefield Stud, best known for Gr1 winner Subzero. Their first Magic Millions Gold Coast draft from the new farm already includes three year-old Rubicon Crossing who was a winner in NZ on debut, then twice Listed placed before being transferred to Australia as an early three year-old where she has won again.
Brian is looking forward to the 2024 Magic Millions and spoke to Bluebloods about his draft. How would you sum up your 2024 draft?
“No superstars this year, but a solid draft across the board with a mixture of stallions, including proven stallions, and a couple of nice Bivouacs and a North Pacific,” he said.
What has been your most satisfying result at the Magic Millions?
“Going back a few years, I sold the last ever yearling that Brian Agnew bred. We were hoping to get around $200,000 for it and it made about $550,000. I was constantly on the phone to him during the sale while he was extremely ill in hospital. He subsequently passed a few weeks later. To sell his last ever commercial yearling was a privilege.”
Attunga Stud will present a draft of fourteen yearlings at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, led by Lot 669, a half-brother, by Capitalist, to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero whose three wins at two were all in black type, the others being the Gr3 Pago Pago Stakes and Gr3 Breeders’ Plate. This colt is bound to draw attention as a sibling to a winner of the race so closely tied to this sale, and to add to his appeal, his dam, Fimatino is a winning half-sister to the dam of Gr1 winner and good sire Shamus Award, as well as to Singapore Stewards Cup winner Ghozi. “He’s a dead ringer for his sire.” For long term investors who want a racehorse with a guaranteed place at stud. Attunga is offering Lot 369, a Deep Field half-sister to Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Vinicunca and a full sister to Magic Millions Rising Stars winner Latakia, out of winning mare Xandretta, who is a half-sister to Gr1 winner Carry On Cutie (granddam of Gr1 winner The Mission). This is a strong early maturing family with plenty of upside. From this same family is Lot 771, a King’s Legacy colt who is the first foal of Carry On Cutie’s daughter I Like Toucans, making her a half-sister to the dam of Gr1 winner The Mission.
Hellbent filly, Lot 425, is a half-sister to Listed winner Economics and stakes placed winner Wolf Moon, out of group placed city winner Anabaa’s Legacy, from the family of Gr1 winner Ball Park and $1.3million earner and group winner Victorem; while Hellbent colt, Lot 921, is out of city winning mare Marple Miss, a half-sister to Gr1 winner and sire Shamus Award from the family of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero. Too Darn Hot colt, Lot 885, is a half-brother to Gr3 winner Matchmaker and three other winners, and his dam Love Somebody is a daughter of the very tough race mare Dynamic Love who won seven races including the Gr3 Stan Fox Stakes.
Capitalist filly, Lot 340, is the second foal of Gr2 placed winner Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible). From the same family is Lot 621, a Shamus Award colt who is a half-brother to Vincere Volare and is also a three-quarter brother stakes placed Conscious (So You Think), out of group placed two year-old winner Elimbari, a half-sister to boom juvenile and Gr2 Silver Slipper winner Amelia’s Dream. This is the family of Doomben Slipper winner and Magic Millions 3YO winner Shalt Not.
Lonhro colt, Lot 57, is the fourth foal of Previous, a daughter of Listed winner Yesterday from the Catbird, Danbird, Donna Cara, Donna Dior family and recent stakes winner Vast Art. Previous’ first foal is a winner. Who are some people who have been influential for your journey in breeding racehorses?
“Brian Agnew, Martin Byrne, and Greg Kelly, they’d be the main ones along the way.”
Which past champion do you wish you could have seen at the races?
“My favourite horse as a child was Tobin Bronze, so I’d say him.” Tobin Bronze (Arctic Explorer-Amarco, by Masthead) won 28 of his 60 starts including nine Gr1 races such as the Cox Plate-twice (1966 and 1967), Victoria Derby, and Caulfield Cup.
With exciting proven and upcoming sires represented in this draft such as Bivouac, Brave Smash, Brazen Beau, Capitalist, Deep Field, Hellbent, King’s Legacy, Lonhro, North Pacific, Shamus Award, and Too Darn Hot, the Attunga 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearlings should be on everyone’s inspection list.
