Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Backed by a collection of new clients, Cressy-based Thompson won the battle for Lot 104, the lone Impending colt in the Sale, offered by Armidale Stud.
David Vandyke struck early to pay $120,000 for Lot 5, a filly by Deep Field, from Alva Stud, who is the sister to his promising mare Cotton Fields.
The second crop of Alpine Eagle was in demand, with 21 of his progeny sold, including Lot 68, a colt from Armidale Stud, who was secured by John Foote for $110,000.
The first crop of Grenville Stud's Zululand also made an impression, with 15 sold in all, spearheaded by two colts, Lot 87 and 106, who both sold for $100,000.
The Sale average leapt from its previous record high of $30,277 to $35,872.
The clearance rate struggled early, but picked up through the day and ended on 82.46 per cent, nearly identical to 2020.
Despite a smaller catalogue which saw eight fewer horses sold in 2021, the overall Sale aggregate closely matched that of 2020, $3.372 million compared to $3.39 million.
The Sale median also reached a new high of $29,000, compared to $25,500 last year.
Thompson steps up
Cameron Thompson made a statement of intent in seeing off strong competition to land the day's top lot, an Impending colt, for $150,000.
The colt, offered by Armidale Stud on behalf of breeders Ken and Jen Breese, is the first foal out of Dream Food (Snitzel), the three-quarter sister to stakes winner Snitz (Snitzel), from the family of the Breese's multiple Group-winning mare Tickle My (Perugino {USA}).
While the interstate buying brigade tended to sweep up all the higher-priced lots of the day, it was 27-year-old Thompson, whose team is based at the nearby small town of Cressy, who stood firm, and surrounded by his family and stable supporters, landed the prized colt.
Lot 104 - Impending x Dream Food (colt)
"I haven’t ever been in the position to just go and get the horse I want. I was just very fortunate enough to have a new group of owners that are willing to give me an opportunity as a young trainer and have the funds to go and purchase him," he told TDN AusNZ.
"I could never purchase a horse like this myself and I probably couldn't risk trying to syndicate one at such an early stage of my career. I'm grateful to be given that opportunity."
Thompson said the Impending colt was a clear standout for him in the Sale.
"I just thought he was the complete package. Early horse, a really good type, a lovely shoulder, and strong hindquarter. Most importantly, I've had one good horse in my stable, who has won us nine races, called Concentrate, who is from Darley. He has the same head as that horse and the same intelligent eye," he said.
"I just thought he (Lot 104) was the complete package. Early horse, a really good type, a lovely shoulder, and strong hindquarter." - Cameron Thompson
"Every time I saw him parade, which was probably six or seven times, he really looked like a horse that has got a brain on him. If you have got that, got the body and you x-ray and scope up clear, it’s a fair start."
Armidale's star shines
Armidale Stud presented 31 horses on Monday, but it was no surprise to Managing Director David Whishaw that it was the Impending colt that topped the Sale.
"He was a lovely type, by the right stallion, out of a super family. Ken and Jen have been wonderful supporters of ours, and it was great to get a result for them," Whishaw said.
"It is great to see Cameron Thompson, a young, local trainer with some big owners behind him, it’s great to see them investing in him and giving him some quality stock."
Alpine Eagle | Standing at Armidale Stud
Armidale Stud finished the Sale as the top vendor on aggregate, with close to $1.2 million in sales across 26 lots sold on the day. Resident stallion, Alpine Eagle, also claimed leading sire honours on aggregate ($969,500 across 21 lots) and average ($46,167).
"I'm over the moon about how strong the demand was for Alpine Eagle's stock. It was lovely to see the mainlanders buying at all ends of the market and lovely to see some of his stock going into good stables," Whishaw said.
"The top lots really brought serious money and it was lovely see the interstate buying bench down here, so strong and so active. There are horses going all over Australia from here. We were thrilled with the Sale as a whole."
The Armidale Stud team | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"The fact that the Sale was able to reach a high-water mark after such uncertainty over meaningful interstate participation was further evidence of the robust nature of the Australian bloodstock industry at the moment, as well as the quality of stock on offer," Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, said.
"The sales results this year have been significant. They have been very strong and obviously once the border went our way, going into this Sale, we had anticipation we could have a strong Sale. To have an average which is significantly higher than ever before, and a clearance rate at 82 per cent and a gross that is right on target with last year, where we had 20 more lots, it’s a sensational result," he said.
"Kudos to Tasracing, Tasbreeders and obviously to our team to pull this together. We all work closely to make sure the Tassie horses can shine and that's happened again this year."
A banner day for Alva Stud
Also breaking records was Alva Stud, from nearby Hagley, who sold Lot 5, a Deep Field filly, to David Vandyke for $120,000.
The filly's successful sale was the embodiment of the value of the pedigree update with her full sister, Cotton Fields, a Doomben winner earlier this month for Vandyke, while her sire secured his first Group 1 winner when Portland Sky dead-heated in Saturday's G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
It was the best result ever at a yearling Sale for Alva Stud, with owner Catherine Hills very proud of what had been achieved.
"I was hopeful. I thought she was probably one of the best fillies I have ever brought here. She was a lovely filly, all her x-rays were good. Her scopes were good and Deep Field is going really well at the moment," she said.
"Sometimes things work out perfectly in terms of timing, and the sister shows there has been proven success with Deep Field as well, which meant she had a lot going for her."
Lot 5 - Deep Field x Medusa (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Hills had purchased Lot 5's dam, Medusa (Stratum), the unraced sister of stakes winner View The Stars (Galileo {Ire}), for $30,000 with Belmont Bloodstock's Damon Gabbedy at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in foal to Deep Field.
"I said to Damon, we have to go have a look at this one," she said. "I liked the fact that she was by Stratum and at that stage, she had one to the track for a winner. The reports on Cotton Fields were that she was a nice filly. I took a punt and figured that she'd be in my budget to come back to Tasmania," Hills said.
"I took a punt and figured that she'd (Medusa) be in my budget to come back to Tasmania." - Catherine Hills
"This result means a lot for me and the team. My yearling manager Tracey Rothall, she manages the farm and does all the yearling prep for me and it's really exciting for them and for me.
"For me, it’s gratifying when everything all comes together and you've got a nice filly and you know it's a nice filly. When it passes all its tests and it’s been recognised by the market, that’s just so gratifying."
Vandyke wasn't even aware the filly was in the Tasmanian Sale until alerted by Magic Millions Sales Director David Chester.
“I have got David Chester to thank for that. He rang me up and alerted me that she was in and Cotton Fields is a lovely, scopey type of mare who I have had a good opinion of. It’s a lovely family, it’s versatile, there’s good depth to it and my spies down there told me she was a lovely type. She is certainly worth giving a go," he said.
“The fact that she’s Magic Millions (Race Series) eligible - and I know the full sister is training well - so she will be an easy sell to any clients."
David Vandyke
Eagle soars as Zulus make their mark
The top-priced Alpine Eagle on the day was Lot 68, a colt who went to John Foote Bloodstock for $110,000 from Armidale Stud's draft. He is out of Listed Gold Sovereign S. winner Testamarriage (Testa Rossa) from a family which features Group 1-winning mare Reactive (Geiger Counter {USA}).
Foote, who was represented at the Sale, by fellow agent Merrick Staunton, was the second biggest buyer, spending $189,500 across four lots. He was superseded in total spend by local trainer John Blacker, who purchased 11 yearlings for $320,500.
Grenville Stud's Zululand made a substantial splash with his crop, with 15 sold in all at an average of $42,067, a significant return on his first-season service fee of $5500 (inc GST).
There were two of his colts which secured $100,000, both offered by Grenville Stud's McCulloch family.
Lot 87 - Zululand x Benoit (colt)
Graeme McCulloch's pre-Sale prediction that Lot 87, out of Benoit (Domesday), was the best colt he had ever presented proved pretty much on the mark as Gabbedy picked him up for $100,000.
"China Horse Club owned the stallion and they really wanted to invest and support him, so I picked him out as the best colt here. He’ll go to Tony McEvoy. It was bought in partnership with China Horse Club, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock," Gabbedy said.
"He was a real standout. He was a great physical specimen, a great loose walker and had a great attitude, and he ticked a lot of boxes. He also had a good pedigree. Domesday mares are doing a very good job at stud and the mum is a half to a Group 1 winner in Ekstreme."
Lot 106 - Zululand x Ehor (colt)
The other $100,000 Zululand colt was the half-brother to unbeaten Tasmanian 2-year-old and Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic winner, Turk Warrior (Outreach), out of the dual stakes winner Ehor (Val Royal {Fr}). He was purchased by Lindsay Park Bloodstock.
Gabbedy was taken with what he saw of the first crop of Zululand, who was himself a $1.5 million Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Coolmore and China Horse Club.
"He's really stamped them. He's really impressed me. They all look very similar, have got good physical strength and bone and have got good, loose swaggers," he said.
Lonhro filly heads to Victoria
There were six lots which drew a pricetag of $100,000 or more on the day, with the final one being a Lonhro filly, Lot 69, which was secured by Griffiths/De Kock Racing for $100,000, also from Grenville Stud's draft.
"Mat and I were there yesterday and we thought she was a ripper filly. She had the right pedigree and the right mix of crosses in the genetics," Robbie Griffiths said.
"She is not that tall, but none of the family are. If she runs anything like Snitzerland and those other fillies in the genetics, it’d be great, There's a lot of Group quality fillies in that family."
The black filly is out of Time Commands (Commands), a daughter of Listed winner Extension Of Time (Dash For Cash), who has produced the stakes-placed Morrissy (Snitzel). G1 Lightning S. winner Snitzerland (Snitzel) features under the fourth dam, on a page which gives the filly considerable long-term value.
Lot 69 - Lonhro x Time Commands (filly)
"There's a real sense of dual purpose for this filly, as both a racehorse and a breeding prospect down the track. There is great residual value down the track in her," Griffiths said.
Griffiths purchased the top lot of last year's Tasmanian Sale, paying $95,000 for a filly by Alpine Eagle, who has made a considerable impression in the Cranbourne-based trainer, but will be given time to develop.
Top lots
| 104 | Impending | Dream Food | C | Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent) | CRT Racing Pty Ltd | TAS | $150,000 |
| 5 | Deep Field | Medusa | F | Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | Vandyke Racing | QLD | $120,000 |
| 68 | Alpine Eagle | Testamarriage | C | Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent) | John Foote Bloodstock | QLD | $110,000 |
| 69 | Lonhro | Time Commands | F | Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | Griffiths de Kock Racing/Peter Ford T'Breds (FBAA) | VIC | $100,000 |
| 87 | Zululand | Benoit | C | Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | China Horse Club/McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | SA | $100,000 |
| 106 | Zululand | Ehor | C | Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | Lindsay Park Bloodstock | VIC | $100,000 |
| 17 | Alpine Eagle | Need A Queen | F | Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent) | Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency P/L (FBAA) | NSW | $85,000 |
| 73 | Alpine Eagle | White Yard | F | Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | Matthew Brown Racing/Red Rocket Racing Pty Ltd | TAS | $85,000 |
| 89 | Alpine Eagle | Burnished | F | Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent) | Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency P/L (FBAA) | NSW | $80,000 |
| 103 | Zululand | Doubtful Diva | C | Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | Gordon Richards Racing | SA | $75,000 |
Top buyers
| John Foote Bloodstock | 3 | $212,500 | $70,833 | $110,000 |
| CRT Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $205,500 | $68,500 | $150,000 |
| Brunton Racing | 6 | $195,500 | $32,583 | $50,000 |
| Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency P/L (FBAA) | 3 | $185,000 | $61,667 | $85,000 |
| John Blacker | 6 | $153,000 | $25,500 | $34,000 |
| A List Stud Pty Ltd | 3 | $122,000 | $40,667 | $70,000 |
| Vandyke Racing | 1 | $120,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| Seyit Basol | 2 | $104,000 | $52,000 | $70,000 |
| Adam Trinder | 3 | $100,000 | $33,333 | $45,000 |
| China Horse Club/McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 1 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 26 | $1,197,000 | $46,038 | $150,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 18 | $797,000 | $44,278 | $100,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 9 | $342,500 | $38,056 | $85,000 |
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 5 | $267,000 | $53,400 | $120,000 |
| Brooklyn Park, Evandale, Tas | 7 | $135,000 | $19,286 | $30,000 |
| K W & C E Smithers, Gawler, Tas | 2 | $110,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 |
| L E Gray, Spreyton, Tas | 3 | $87,000 | $29,000 | $32,000 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 4 | $78,000 | $19,500 | $34,000 |
| Waterford Livestock, Latrobe, Tas | 2 | $60,000 | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| Cavallon Pty Ltd, Shepparton, Vic | 2 | $55,000 | $27,500 | $45,000 |
Top vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 5 | $53,400 | $267,000 | $120,000 |
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 26 | $46,038 | $1,197,000 | $150,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 18 | $44,278 | $797,000 | $100,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 9 | $38,056 | $342,500 | $85,000 |
| L E Gray, Spreyton, Tas | 3 | $29,000 | $87,000 | $32,000 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 4 | $19,500 | $78,000 | $34,000 |
| Brooklyn Park, Evandale, Tas | 7 | $19,286 | $135,000 | $30,000 |
| Petite Rhapsody Thoroughbreds, Staverton, Tas | 3 | $9,500 | $28,500 | $16,000 |
| Chatswood Stud, Seymour, Vic | 4 | $5,750 | $23,000 | $18,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Alpine Eagle | 21 | $969,500 | $46,167 | $110,000 |
| Zululand | 15 | $631,000 | $42,067 | $100,000 |
| Impending | 1 | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Needs Further | 7 | $128,000 | $18,286 | $30,000 |
| Deep Field | 1 | $120,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| Wordsmith | 3 | $104,000 | $34,667 | $40,000 |
| Lonhro | 1 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Turffontein | 2 | $100,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Mawingo | 4 | $86,500 | $21,625 | $34,000 |
| Foxwedge | 1 | $70,000 | $70,000 | $70,000 |
Top sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Turffontein | 2 | $50,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 |
| Alpine Eagle | 21 | $46,167 | $969,500 | $110,000 |
| Zululand | 15 | $42,067 | $631,000 | $100,000 |
| Wordsmith | 3 | $34,667 | $104,000 | $40,000 |
| Magnus | 2 | $22,500 | $45,000 | $25,000 |
| Mawingo | 4 | $21,625 | $86,500 | $34,000 |
| Cable Bay | 2 | $21,000 | $42,000 | $22,000 |
| Needs Further | 7 | $18,286 | $128,000 | $30,000 |
| Squamosa | 2 | $11,500 | $23,000 | $15,000 |
| Reward For Effort | 2 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $18,000 |
