Milburn Creek principal John Muir is a fan of North American-bred mares and with good reason.
The New South Wales horseman has previous Group 1 winning experience with a previous purchase and is hoping to replicate that on his current buying trip at the Keeneland November Sale in Lexington.
“I bought a mare through Garry Cuddy when he was working for Vin Cox called Roses ‘n’ Wine,” Muir said.
“She was by Broken Vow and she produced the G.1 Spring Champion S., winner Hampton Court so we’ve had a bit of luck with American mares.” – John Muir.
“She was by Broken Vow and she produced the G.1 Spring Champion S., winner Hampton Court so we’ve had a bit of luck with American mares.”
Hampton Court, pictured winning the G1 Spring Champion S.
That success prompted Muir to make an overdue return this week to the bluegrass region of the United States.
“I haven’t been back here for years and I’m not getting any younger so I thought if I don’t come here soon I might not get back at all,” he said.
Muir was active on Day 3 of the auction with his $230,000 purchase of Bishop’s Pond (USA) from the Elite consignment.
John and Trish Muir with their newest American purchase, Bishop's Pond
“What attracted me was that she had excellent race performance and a really consistent filly.” – John Muir.
“She’s by Curlin out of a More Than Ready mare called More For Me,” he said. “What attracted me was that she had excellent race performance and a really consistent filly.
”She wasn’t in foal, but that suits us as we want to take her back to Australia to breed. She’s a beautiful type.”
Bishop’s Pond won six races, including two at Listed level, and is from the family of the G1 DeFrancis Memorial Dash winner Richter Scale (USA) (Habitony {IRE}).
“Scott Holcombe, my manager, is a very difficult person – he’s a hard marker and a B plus is a big point for him and this mare got a B plus,” Muir said.
Bishop's Pond is by American stallion, Curlin
“She’s free of Danehill blood and she will suit the Redoute’s Choice line of stallions we have at home.” – John Muir.
“I’m very happy we bought her, she’s by Curlin and he’s one of the leading sires in America. She’s free of Danehill blood and she will suit the Redoute’s Choice line of stallions we have at home.
“We’ll assess our options when we get back, she’ll be coming home to Australia as soon as she can.”
Muir was also in the market on Tuesday with his $300,000 purchase of Soft Kiss (USA) out of the Blandford Stud draft. She is from the family of the G1 Just A Game S., winner C.S. Silk (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
“She will foal down in the United States and we’ll sell her weanling foal.” – John Muir.
“She’s by Bernardini and is in foal to American Pharoah,” Muir said. “She will foal down in the United States and we’ll sell her weanling foal.”
Soft Kiss is in foal to Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah
He believed the North American mares were better options, from an Australian perspective, than their European counterparts.
“In my opinion they suit better. They are faster and they’ve got better feet compared to the European mares,” Muir said.
