Ridgmont Farm

Ridgmont Farm’s second draft for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is a product of their worldwide search for quality broodmares. Farm director Mitch Cunningham spoke to Bluebloods. “Magic Millions is our favourite time of year, and we couldn’t be more proud of the thirteen yearlings we have brought to the coast. Our draft represents an opportunity to invest in progeny by the best sires that the Northern Hemisphere has to offer in Frankel, Wootton Bassett and Too Darn Hot, as well as our own brilliant colonial stallions in Zoustar, So You Think, Capitalist, Spirit Of Boom, Pierro, King’s Legacy, Hellbent and Anders. These eight colts and five fillies represent our best draft yet! We have made a significant investment in bloodstock over the years, however our key strategic investment has been in our people. Chris Phillips brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership developed through his years at Juddmonte and Waikato Studs. Our Yearling Manager, Jakub Vitek’s obvious expertise and finesse is on show with every draft we bring to auction. Our Broodmare Manager, Stephanie McDonald is the backbone of the operation at home. They are supported by Chris, Allison, Drew, Tayla, Will and their team, and this draft is a testament to them, and our collective endeavour to produce the best.”

Frankel’s record globally is unrivalled, and Ridgmont must be thrilled to have a Frankel colt to sell in 2024. Lot 612 is the first foal of Edith Piaf (Le Havre), a half-sister to Gr2 winner of eight races Home of the Brave, and from a fast and precocious European family that has also produced group winners Rashbag and Suggestive.

A half-brother to Gr1 Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha and Gr3 winner Cameo, Lot 50, is a colt by Too Darn Hot. His dam, Portrait of a Lady, was a winner in the USA and her six winners have won eighteen races between them. This colt’s second dam is Gr1 Irish Oaks winner Alydaress. A royally bred King’s Legacy half-sister to Gr2 winning two year-old Not An Option, Lot 526, is out of Gr2 winning Savabeel mare Chintz, herself a half-sister to Gr1 winner Chenille. Dual Gr1 winner Mo’unga (Savabeel) is closely related to this filly’s dam.

In Ridgmont’s inaugural draft, Light Up The Room’s Lonhro colt sold for $450,000 and he has recently been named Apollo Ridge. This year, Ridgmont will present his Capitalist halfbrother, Lot 865, who is the second foal of stakes placed daughter of So You Think, the damsire of Golden Slipper winner Fireburn. Ridgmont will present another Capitalist colt, Lot 850, whose dam, Lakshmibai, is a half-sister to Gr1 winner Earthquake, and Listed winners Pandemic and Palomares. Recent Gr1 winner Madame Pommery is another close relation to this colt.

Two colts by Zoustar will garner plenty of attention. Lot 323 is a halfbrother to group placed winner Shalailed out of city winning mare Unassailed who is a half-sister to stakes winners Great Esteem and High Esteem. Boasting the stallion family of Starspangledbanner, Lot 394 is out of winning mare Aaralyn, a half-sister to Gr1 winner Amicus and stakes winner Cheer Leader.

Pierro colt, Lot 44, out of stakes placed Pickin’ Time has a hot current family with his dam being closely related to recent Gr1 winner Fangirl. Pickin‘ Time is a half-sister to Reprisal who is a stakes winner of seven races from the family of Gr1 winner Special Harmony. So You Think colt, Lot 157, is out of a young winning daughter of Listed winner and Gr1 placed See Me Rock.

One of five fillies in the Ridgmont draft is Lot 649, by Spirit of Boom, from the winning Charge Forward mare, Face Forward whose first two foals are winners. This family descends from triple Gr1 winning American mare Tappiano and we all know how well American families are going in Australia.

Wootton Bassett’s European record makes him one of the most exciting additions to the shuttle ranks, and Ridgmont will present his filly, Lot 175, who is out of winning mare Shantou, a daughter of group winner and Gr1 placed Shanzero.

“Magic Millions is our favourite time of year, and we couldn’t be more proud of the thirteen yearlings we have brought to the coast.”

Hellbent filly, Lot 868, is particularly well related being a three-quarter sister to the stakes placed winner of five races Joviality. Her dam, Limbo Down, is from the family of Gr3 Black Opal winner Handsome Ransom. Anders has been very popular with breeders, thanks to his scintillating speed on the track, and his interesting pedigree being by Not a Single Doubt out of one of the few rare mares by Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem. His filly, Lot 648, is the third foal of city winning mare Expertea, whose first foal is a winning three year-old this season, and this is the family of Gr1 winners Neroli, and recent group winner Aft Cabin.

Mitch Cunningham summed up the Magic Millions “Whilst we are based in the Hunter Valley, we are proud Queenslanders, and this sale is perpetually highlighted in the calendar. From the quality of bloodstock on offer, to the hospitality and social events, and underlined by my favourite race day of the year, this week is special!”