Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 23

Ahead of the NZB National Yearling Sales at Karaka at the end of the month, Cambridge Stud were hoping to whet the appetite of Australian buyers with a quality small selection of yearlings by their first season sire Sword of State offered at the Gold Coast this week and they were well received with three selling for upwards of $300,000.

Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk has already sired two stakes-winners from his first crop of two year-olds in ill-fated King Kirk and O’ Ole, who runs in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday, and the son of Written Tycoon had a sales highlight at the Gold Coast on Friday when his colt from Pop Girl made $700,000.

When you have a client that has his heart set on finding an Oaks filly, Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January might be seen as offering slim pickings, but astute bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock has filled the brief with a glorious filly by one of Europe’s best stallions in Frankel.

I Am Invincible and Snitzel have dominated the stallion stats on the first three days and nothing will change on Day Four, however the third foal of Sunlight by first season Home Affairs is sure to be a highlight.

We know all about the two year-olds running in the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday following the sun and surf barrier draw earlier this week, but what about the babies that missed the boat for that one, but are ready to kick off in the $500,000 Magic Millions Debut ?

Classy mare Campionessa has flown the flag for Te Akau Racing at the top level for a number of years, but on Saturday at Trentham, her younger stablemate Qali Al Farrasha will get her time to shine contesting the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m).

Stephen Gray experienced plenty of highs with Silent Is Gold when training in Singapore, and he is excited to begin a new chapter with the gelding when he makes his New Zealand debut in the JR & N Berkett 1100 at Trentham on Saturday.

Widden Stud’s value stallion Nicconi is best known as the sire of the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip and while he might not be the height of fashion in commercial terms, he is a rock solid sire and delivered a big result for Lime Country Thoroughbreds at Magic Millions on Friday when his filly from No Crying sold for $425,000.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse have engaged leading recruitment firm u&u to help find their new chief executive, after incumbent Tom Reilly was appointed to run the Melbourne Racing Club.

Vinery Stud have done a mighty job meeting the market at this sale and heading through Friday afternoon are batting at 100% clearance and they were well rewarded on Friday when selling a gorgeous I Am Invincible filly from Group III placed all Too Hard mare Saas Fee for $900,000.