Lauriston have been particularly successful at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale and will be selling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this year.
“We’ve had terrific success at the Ready 2 Race and over the last two years on gross turnover we’ve topped the Sale, probably through quantity as much as anything else,” James O’Brien said. “We’ve got wonderful facilities here and this year we’ve changed our business model.
“We have strategically chosen quality horses as yearlings with the intent of selling them as 2-year-olds. We’ve deliberately selected them in the past and we’ve done well and want to expand on that.
“We have strategically chosen quality horses as yearlings with the intent of selling them as 2-year-olds.” – James O’Brien.
“With all that in mind, we’re spreading the risk and we’re going to dip our toe into the water in New Zealand, it’s a proven Sale and the Kiwis do it so well.”
Lauriston will have four juveniles go through the ring at Karaka next month under the banner of Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park. “Janine does a fantastic job and she can’t do enough for us, she’s really accommodating,” O’Brien said.
The Lauriston team preparing yearlings for the 2018 Magic Millions sale
First into the ring will be Lot 89, a son of Fastnet Rock (Danehill {USA}) and Lady Of Spain (Encosta de Lago) with the dam a half-sister to the G3 Ethereal S., winner Dawnie Perfect (Big Brown {USA}) and will be followed by Lot 112, who is by Wandjina (Snitzel). He is out of the Giant’s Causeway (IRE) mare Lovetorn, a half-sister to the G3 Newcastle Spring S., winner Lovemelikearock (Fastnet Rock).
Lot 135 is a colt by All Too Hard (Casino Prince) and Mihiri (More Than Ready {USA}), who was Group placed and is from the family of The Everest contender US Navy Flag (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}). The final member of the Lauriston quartet is Lot 392, who is by Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) out of Candy Stripes (Commands), a winner and stakes placed.
“They are a pretty even bunch and they’re doing very well.” – James O’Brien.
“They are a pretty even bunch and they’re doing very well,” O’Brien said. “We’ve got four tracks here and we can also gallop them on the beach. They enjoy that and then wade through the water, which they like.
“We feel they are all very well-educated and we don’t push them. They’ve only got to breeze up over 200 metres.”
Watch: An update on Lauriston's 2018 Ready 2 Race draft
Lauriston will be offering a 10-strong draft at the Ready 2 Race Sale at Riverside Stables on October 15. “It’s a smaller draft than usual, but there is a focus on quality,” O’Brien said. Among the consignment are colts by two by All Too Hard (Casino Prince), More Than Ready (Southern Halo {USA}), Mossman (Success Express {USA}), Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice), Rubick, Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo), Wandjina (Snitzel) and Zoustar (Northern Meteor) and a filly by Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock).
Lauriston graduate Global Glamour
Lauriston boasts excellent facilities
Lauriston is located near Corinella, 120km south-east of Melbourne and encompasses two properties. The original holding of 229 acres is a dedicated pre-training and educational facility catering for horses of all ages from weanlings to retirement.
“We’ve got two grass tracks and two sand, a swimming pool and a walker,” O’Brien said. “When it was set up years ago we had a private trainer and then leased it out, but now we’re expanding our own business.”
The adjacent second property of 138 acres has been developed to accommodate up to 35 broodmares and their progeny. This facility boasts custom built foaling stables, day yards, a veterinary room, paddocks of varying sizes and a centrally located staff accommodation.
“We’ve got 25 broodmares at the moment and we’ve had a bit of success, breeding Global Glamour,” O’Brien said. By Star Witness (Starcraft {NZ}), the G1 Thousand Guineas and Flight S., winner is out of Lauriston resident Spectacula (Testa Rossa). “Spectacula is going to Fastnet Rock this year,” O’Brien said.Global Glamour, pictured here winning the Group 1 Flight Stakes is a graduate of Lauriston Farm
Watch: the amazing facilities available at Lauriston
