Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
History was made at the Sale when Goldin Farms’ son of Fastnet Rock, Lot 22, sold to Tony Fung Investments and Annabel Neasham Racing for a South Australian record of $525,000.
In all local action, Morphettville trainer Ryan Balfour outlaid $370,000 for Lot 79, a daughter of Palentino offered by Willow Grove Stud.
A grey Merchant Navy filly, Lot 110, also offered by Goldin was the subject of spirited bidding before Boomer Bloodstock had the final say at $360,000.
Across the day, over $9 million was spent on 164 lots sold at an average price of over $55,000, up 40 per cent on Day 1 last year.
The clearance rate is 84 per cent, up from 76 per cent, and the median rose by over 30 per cent.
The leading vendor by aggregate and average, for three or more sold, was Goldin Farms with seven lots sold for $1,199,000 at an average of $171,286.
The leading sire by average, for three or more sold, was Palentino with three lots realising $445,000 at an average of $148,333.
Local stance vindicated
The handsome son of Fastnet Rock wouldn’t have been out of place at any venue in the country, but Goldin Farms was determined to showcase him at Morphettville and it paid off in spades on Monday when the hot ticket item went to Tony Fung Investments and Annabel Neasham.
The only yearling by the Coolmore stallion in the catalogue, he attracted an opening bid of $200,000 and quickly escalated to its $525,000 end point to justify Goldin Principal Pam Sutong’s commitment to sell his top-quality colt at the Adelaide Sale.
The South Australian nursery enjoyed an outstanding day, as the session-topper aside it also sold a grey filly by Merchant Navy, Lot 110, for $360,000 and a pair of Akeed Mofeed (GB) colts, Lots 3 and 105, for $120,000 apiece.
Goldin’s Bloodstock Manager Jeff Gordon told TDN AusNZ there had been a lot of talk about where its Fastnet Rock colt would be offered before it was decided to keep him in his comfort zone.
“We’re very happy with the Sale and we trade in percentages. It’s like a good piece of real estate or an antique, people will find it and this proves it,” he said. “We were very, very confident and very happy with the price.
“He’s a cracking colt with a beautiful head. He’s very athletic and looks a very speedy type. In all fairness, we had a lot of discussions on where to offer him.
“He’s highly commercial and we couldn’t afford the risk of any injury that may come by uplifting him and taking him to another place.
“I’ve been in this game a long, long time and if you walk into a stable complex in the morning and a horse has hurt itself overnight it will be the good one, it’s never the bad one.”
Manager proves his worth
Warwick Farm trainer Neasham had been unable to inspect the yearling in person and was guided by her Bloodstock Manager Brian McGuire.
“I haven’t seen him in the flesh, but Brian had, and he will be raced by Tony Fung Investments and he looks a very exciting colt,” she said.
“I’ve known Brian for a long time and he’s been working hard doing all the pre-Sale inspections. At this time of the year it’s pretty hard for me to get away. I left it up to him and he’s a good judge.”
Brian McGuire and Adrian Hancock | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Neasham expected to have to dig deep to land a colt of such quality and breeding.
“Brian felt he was the best horse on the complex and when you get those stand-out horses in a sale you have to be prepared to put your hand in your pocket,” she said.
“The sales have been strong all season and good horses are making good money. This was no different.”
“The sales have been strong all season and good horses are making good money. This was no different.” – Annabel Neasham
The Fastnet Rock colt is a brother to this season’s R. Listed Inglis Banner and Golden Gift winner Sneaky Five and the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic winner Beautiful Mind (So You Think {NZ}).
They are out of the G1 Schweppes Oaks and Listed Adelaide Guineas winner Small Minds (Canny Lad), who set an Inglis Digital record in November when she was sold in foal to Grunt (NZ) for $410,000 to Sandhurst Bloodstock on behalf of Rosemont Stud.
“He’s got a stallion’s pedigree, and a current one, and he wasn’t missed. All the good judges down there I’m sure were on him and I feel very lucky we were able to secure him,” Neasham said.
Neasham and McGuire also went to $95,000 for Lot 40, a son of Pariah out of Baramul Stud’s draft. He is from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and sire Vancouver and the G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Juste Momente (Giant’s Causeway {USA}).
Lot 74 - Pariah x What Katie Did (colt)
Another son of the Arrowfield Stud stallion Pariah, Lot 74, was secured for $130,000 out of Baramul’s lineup by Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. His pedigree features the Group 1-winning siblings Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), Fraternity (NZ) and Telesto (NZ).
Day to remember
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch was rapt with the Day 1 results and was particularly delighted with the response from the local market.
A total of 164 lots were sold for $9,149,500 at an average of $55,790 and median of $40,000 while 12 months ago 180 lots grossed $7,131,000 at an average of $39,617, a median of $30,000 and the clearance rate rose from 84 per cent from 76 per cent.
“We had a great lot of horses here and the ones that were perceived as being very, very good sold unbelievably well,” he said.
“There was great depth and diversity both among the horses that were making a lot of money and also from the buyers.
“It was fantastic to see the local market getting behind the Sale. The positivity in this state is strong, and it should be, and it gives breeders a lot of confidence going forward that this is a great industry to be part of and a great Sale to sell at.”
“It was fantastic to see the local market getting behind the Sale. The positivity in this state is strong, and it should be, and it gives breeders a lot of confidence going forward that this is a great industry to be part of and a great Sale to sell at.” - Barry Bowditch
Bowditch was also particularly pleased to see Goldin Farms decision to sell the session-topping Fastnet Rock colt realise $525,000.
“He would have sold well anywhere and for JJ Gordon and Goldin Farms to leave that horse here, and he was obviously very well-admired and very well-bred, and achieve that result was great,” he said.
“It was very competitive bidding and to go to one of the great judges and great racing teams in Australia is a great result for the Sale.
“We are delighted as a team with the results and we selected pretty hard this year to ensure we had a good, strong catalogue to give the market confidence to play and we’re very proud of the results of the Sale.
“What it does is gives the state a lot of confidence in that it’s in great shape going and forward and obviously plenty to build on tomorrow.”
Palentino’s daughter delivers
Willow Grove Stud’s Palentino filly, Lot 79, exceeded all expectations when she was sold for $370,000 to Morrinsville conditioner Ryan Balfour.
Lot 79 - Palentino x Wings Of Alice (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We put $100,000 as a reserve on her and thought she might make $150,000 with a bit of luck so to get that was a fantastic result,” Willow Grove’s Ralph Satchell said.
“We only ever sell at the Adelaide Sale, we bring our whole draft here and I think the market knows that. It’s great to get rewarded for a nice filly, that’s for sure, and she’s staying local.
“I think the Racing Rewards and Racing SA putting up the prizemoney is so positive and everything is on the up here. To see our filly bought by a local racing stable is fantastic.”
The filly is a daughter of the Testa Rossa mare Wings Of Alice, whose four foals to race have all been successful and includes Malaysian Listed winner Violet (Mint Lane) and the Balfour-trained Outlaws Revenge (Reward For Effort), the winner of three of his four starts.
Ryan Balfour with Lot 79 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"When I came to the Sale, I just said we weren't going to leave without her," Balfour said.
"We were hoping to get her a little cheaper, but at the same time I think Outlaws Revenge is going to be a top Group-class horse.
"She absolutely replicates him (Outlaws Revenge) - she's athletic, I love her and I didn't want to go home without her.
"When I first saw her I thought wow, she just looks like him, and that's an important part, when the mare stamps them like that."
Filly fitted the bill
Goldin’s Merchant Navy filly, Lot 110, caught the attention of breeder Peter Murray and Boomer Bloodstock Principal Craig Rounsefell was on hand at Morphettville to seal the deal for a slightly higher than anticipated $360,000.
“He has been a long-time client of mine and he loved the filly on pedigree and picked her out a couple of weeks ago,” Rounsefell said.
“He had her vetted and she checked out so I got on a plane and got here this morning to have a good look at her. I thought she was outstanding and the best Merchant Navy I have seen this year.”
The grey youngster is a half-sister to the G3 Hawkesbury Crown winner Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) with their dam Bacchanal Woman (Encosta De Lago), whose racing record featured nine wins including the Listed National Sprint.
“Her female line is very strong and she is off one of the best-producing farms in South Australia. She’s a really well put together filly that we’ll have fun with on the racetrack and add to Peter’s broodmare band in the future,” Rounsefell said.
“Her (Lot 110) female line is very strong and she is off one of the best-producing farms in South Australia." - Craig Rounsefell
He was pushed to secure the filly, but the final purchase price wasn’t surprising.
“We stretched a little bit, but that seems to be the market at the moment. You put your values on the nice types and then have to add a little bit more,” he said.
“It’s just the way of the market right now, all the sales are up. There is a huge demand for quality stock and this filly obviously fitted in to that bracket.”
Rewarding week
The progeny of Newgate’s Capitalist are popular wherever they go and it was no different with Lot 118, a colt from Emirates Park who was snapped up by local trainer Will Clarken with Suman Hedge Bloodstock and David Jolly for $200,000.
A half-brother to multiple winner Ruban Bleu (Artie Schiller {USA}), he is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Bleue Pepite and she is a half-sister to the G3 Alexandra S. winner Think Bleue (So You Think {NZ}).
At the foot of this pedigree page are the Group 1 winners and champion sires Encosta De Lago and Flying Spur.
Clarken was involved in seven purchases including Lot 59, colt by Highland Reel (Ire) from the family of two-time Listed winner Pipkin (Gallo Di Ferro) from Balcrest Stud’s consignment for $120,000.
“He was another of our favourite horses at the Sale and has got a great brain, a really classy-looking horse. Every time I looked at him he got better and he had a fantastic walk,” he said.
Clarken was so taken by the youngster, who is a half-brother to a quartet of multiple winners, and he will remain in the ownership group.
“On Fire Racing is a syndication company based in Darwin and we are going to do half each. I’ll be keeping a leg of the colt as well,” he said.
Clarken’s spirits had been boosted in days prior to the Sale when, firstly, his G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Bella Vella (Commands) ran third in the G2 Challenge S. at Randwick behind Eduardo (Host {Chi}) and Nature Strip (Nicconi).
On his home track on Monday, stablemate Ironclad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) remained unbeaten in three appearances in Australia with a strong performance to land the Listed CS Hayes S.
Top lots
| 22 | Fastnet Rock | Small Minds | C | Goldin Farms, Angaston, SA | Tony Fung Investments/Annabel Neasham Racing | NSW | $525,000 |
| 79 | Palentino | Wings Of Alice | F | Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | Ryan Balfour | SA | $370,000 |
| 110 | Merchant Navy | Bacchanal Woman | F | Goldin Farms, Angaston, SA | Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA)/Murray Thoroughbreds | VIC | $360,000 |
| 118 | Capitalist | Bleue Pepite | C | Emirates Park Pty Ltd, Murrurundi, NSW | Will Clarken/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Jolly | SA | $200,000 |
| 154 | Toronado | Detox | F | Strangways Falls Stud, Hindmarsh Valley, SA | Bahen Bloodstock | VIC | $180,000 |
| 151 | Caravaggio | Dashing Lady | C | Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas (As Agent) | John Rowan | NEW ZEALAND | $160,000 |
| 208 | Your Song | Inishmore | C | Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA (As Agent) | George Moore Bloodstock | HONG KONG | $150,000 |
| 74 | Pariah | What Katie Did | C | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd | VIC | $130,000 |
| 25 | Star Turn | Sovereign Eminence | F | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | Phillip Stokes Racing Pty Ltd | VIC | $125,000 |
| 141 | Dundeel | Crooked Stick | C | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | Brendan McShane | TAS | $125,000 |
Top buyers
| Tony Fung Investments/Annabel Neasham Racing | 1 | $525,000 | $525,000 | $525,000 |
| Kavanagh Racing | 9 | $466,000 | $51,778 | $90,000 |
| Ryan Balfour | 2 | $395,000 | $197,500 | $370,000 |
| Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA)/Murray Thoroughbreds | 1 | $360,000 | $360,000 | $360,000 |
| Will Clarken/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Jolly | 3 | $320,000 | $106,667 | $200,000 |
| Michael Hickmott Bloodstock Pty Ltd | 5 | $318,000 | $63,600 | $80,000 |
| Macdonald Gluyas Racing | 3 | $310,000 | $103,333 | $130,000 |
| Richard & Chantelle Jolly | 5 | $265,000 | $53,000 | $65,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) | 4 | $232,500 | $58,125 | $90,000 |
| Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd | 2 | $210,000 | $105,000 | $130,000 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Goldin Farms, Angaston, SA | 7 | $1,199,000 | $171,286 | $525,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | $806,000 | $67,167 | $130,000 |
| Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | 7 | $707,500 | $101,071 | $370,000 |
| Cornerstone Stud, Angaston, SA | 10 | $592,500 | $59,250 | $90,000 |
| Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA | 7 | $567,500 | $81,071 | $150,000 |
| Kambula Stud, Kadina, SA | 13 | $480,500 | $36,962 | $100,000 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 11 | $345,000 | $31,364 | $65,000 |
| Balcrest Stud, Balhannah, SA | 4 | $248,000 | $62,000 | $120,000 |
| Kitchwin Hills, Scone, NSW | 6 | $245,500 | $40,917 | $70,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 2 | $230,000 | $115,000 | $160,000 |
Top vendors by average (three or more sold)
| Goldin Farms, Angaston, SA | 7 | $171,286 | $1,199,000 | $525,000 |
| Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | 7 | $101,071 | $707,500 | $370,000 |
| Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA | 7 | $81,071 | $567,500 | $150,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | $67,167 | $806,000 | $130,000 |
| Balcrest Stud, Balhannah, SA | 4 | $62,000 | $248,000 | $120,000 |
| Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic | 3 | $62,000 | $186,000 | $100,000 |
| Cornerstone Stud, Angaston, SA | 10 | $59,250 | $592,500 | $90,000 |
| Rosegate Park Pty Ltd, Roseworthy, SA | 3 | $52,833 | $158,500 | $65,000 |
| Bell River Thoroughbreds, Dungog, NSW | 3 | $48,167 | $144,500 | $80,000 |
| Rheinwood Pastoral Co, Mittagong, NSW | 4 | $42,500 | $170,000 | $65,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Sir Prancealot | 11 | $554,500 | $50,409 | $100,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 1 | $525,000 | $525,000 | $525,000 |
| Pariah | 5 | $457,000 | $91,400 | $130,000 |
| Palentino | 3 | $445,000 | $148,333 | $370,000 |
| Merchant Navy | 3 | $394,000 | $131,333 | $360,000 |
| Impending | 7 | $393,000 | $56,143 | $80,000 |
| Akeed Mofeed | 8 | $311,000 | $38,875 | $120,000 |
| Capitalist | 2 | $280,000 | $140,000 | $200,000 |
| Your Song | 2 | $250,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Sooboog | 4 | $220,000 | $55,000 | $90,000 |
Top sires by average (three or more sold)
| Palentino | 3 | $148,333 | $445,000 | $370,000 |
| Merchant Navy | 3 | $131,333 | $394,000 | $360,000 |
| Pariah | 5 | $91,400 | $457,000 | $130,000 |
| Caravaggio | 3 | $68,333 | $205,000 | $160,000 |
| Magnus | 3 | $64,333 | $193,000 | $130,000 |
| Impending | 7 | $56,143 | $393,000 | $80,000 |
| Sooboog | 4 | $55,000 | $220,000 | $90,000 |
| Headwater | 3 | $55,000 | $165,000 | $65,000 |
| All Too Hard | 4 | $53,750 | $215,000 | $90,000 |
| Sir Prancealot | 11 | $50,409 | $554,500 | $100,000 |
