With many excellent results across all the Victorian vendors and the buyers during the Magic Million National three-day weanling sale, there were some notable highlights worthy of a mention.
The Victorians started the day with a bang, with Victorian's Steve and Ceri Jostlear's Ampulla Lodge purchasing Lot 44, the beautifully balanced Not a Single Doubt colt out of Cariad presented by Aquis Farm for $280,000.
"We loved him first of all for his great walk. He had a swagger that we fell in love with and knowing he has a half-brother that is a serious horse – the Gerald Ryan trained Cardiff there is a high chance of a pedigree update on his page. He also had a fantastic temperament and handled the busy environment wonderfully. We will bring him home and see how he develops with either the Gold Coast next year an option, or Inglis Easter."
It was a brilliant sale for John Keneally's Erinvale Thoroughbreds with several top-line results claiming the top vendor by average for three or more lots sold.
On the first day, Erinvale sold the only Cable Bay weanling to be offered in the sale at Lot 88 for $94,000. The son of the beautifully pedigreed Woodside Park Stud stallion was snapped up by New South Wales, BH Bloodstock and Cottage Hill Stud.
During the second day of selling, Lot 491 the son of Brazen Beau out of Sew It Seams, consigned by and bred by Victoria's Brown Family, sold for $180,000 to New Zealand's Lyndhurst Farm. This was the equal top lot by the popular sire. On the third day, the hammer fell on two $250,000 lots with both the American Pharoah and the Zoustar colt offered as Lots 630 and 660 making significant returns.
Blue Gum Farm has a healthy first day of selling with Lot 205 the Capitalist colt our of Hidden Attraction selling for $165,000 to Hallmark Stud in New Zealand and Lot 222 the striking Not a Single Doubt colt going to Ihtsatune back down south to Ben Coopers Merricks Station bought in partnership with bloodstock agent Mat Becker from Group 1 Bloodstock.
Sally Watkins' Lurg based Willaroon Thoroughbreds also had a good result with all three of her weanlings sold hitting the $100,000 mark and above. Lot 47, the Written Tycoon out of Casino card was secured by big buyers Fernrigg Farm for $115,000, while Victorian Suman Hedge fell in love with Lot 220, the Divine Prophet Colt out of Ninth Chance for $100,000.
Hedge commented that the striking colt, looks strong and early and will be another promising acquisition for his group. Edinburgh Park Stud took home Willaroon's Capitalist colt offered as Lot 378 for $135,000 out of the mare Icy Mist.
Late on the first day, catalogued as Lot 258, a delighted Sherah Sullivan's from Noorilim Park's sold her Written Tycoon colt from La Llorona to Fernrigg Farm for $290,000, taking out the second highest price of the day.
"He was a lovely individual with a huge hindquarter as his speed on speed pedigree suggested. He looked the ideal candidate for someone wishing to target the Magic Millions race series and we wish Fernrigg all the very best with him," Sullivan said.
Burnewang North Pastoral was also well represented at the sale with a top draft of weanlings being offered from their well-respected Victorian nursery.
Starting the weanling sale off with a bang, Lot 1, the So You think colt out of Babel was snapped up by Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds for $200,000, Lot 659, the popular Pierro colt made $125,000 for Yu Long Investments and will be returning south, while good judge James Bester was happy to put his hand up for Lot 370, the National Velvet – Nicconi colt for $120,000.
Three Bridges Thoroughbreds sold Lot 650, the Written Tycoon colt out of Absolutely fabulous for $115,000 to New Zealand's Ohukia Lodge.
Damian and Deb's Phoenix Broodmare Farm also has a solid sale and were happy to have had made the long trip north with their Shalaa colt selling for $125,000.
"The Shalaa (IRE) colt out of the Not A Single Doubt mare, Not A Happy Camper who is a stakes-placed mare was very popular. He was a nice, strong, forward colt by a competitive first season sire," Damian Gleeson said.
Gnarwarre's Rosemont Stud offered a lovely example of Darley's Victorian Stallion, Brazen Beau selling Lot 228, the colt out of Inflection for $155,000 to Kilmore based Maluka Thoroughbreds, in partnership with Milawa Park and Pedigree Power.
"He was a well-grown, well-muscled and lovely moving colt. He is a great example of what Brazen Beau is capable of leaving, and he will develop into a great yearling. Maluka Thoroughbreds know a good yearling when they see it, and he was the standout in our draft. We wish them all the best with him," Rosemont's Gerald Jones said.
Congratulations to all the Victorian Breeders and the exceptional results that their drafts received at the Weanling sale.
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