Session Two Strong at Inglis Easter

by Kelsey Riley

While Tuesday’s opening session of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale was all about champion sire Fastnet Rock (Aus) (Danehill), Wednesday’s second session saw Arrowfield’s Snitzel (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) take the spotlight when responsible for the top two lots of the day–a pair of colts purchased for A$2.2 million and A$1.8 million. The 12-year-old Snitzel has enjoyed a strong run since finishing second to his sire on last year’s general sire table, with recent Group 1 winners including Galaxy S. victress Sweet Idea (Aus) and Australian Guineas scorer Wandjina (Aus), and he current sits seventh on the sire table. 

Snitzel’s two top lots fueled another strong day at the Newmarket complex in Sydney. Through the sale’s first two sessions, 288 youngsters have changed hands for A$86,015,000, a figure up A$16.1 million from 12 months ago, when 283 were sold. The cumulative average climbed 21% to A$298,663, while the median, at A$200,000, was up 11% from 2014. The buyback rate, which was 27% on day one, dropped to 20.8% Wednesday, up just over six points from 14.2% this time last year. 

The second session saw six yearlings break the million-dollar barrier, compared to three on day one and two on day two last year. The number of horses to make A$500,000 and above currently stands at 48, a mark that has well surpassed the 37 at last year’s entire sale. 

Inglis’s Managing Director Mark Webster noted the international representation at the sale. 

“The diversity of buyers, sires and vendors represented at the top of the yearling market is a great indicator for the overall confidence in the Inglis Easter product and our great Australian industry,” he said. “Today we have again seen industry players from around the world team up to invest in Australian bloodstock, and it is really encouraging that local syndicators have also been very active up to $200,000, allowing a wider group of Thoroughbred enthusiasts to join together in racing these great Inglis Easter yearlings.” 

Another Topper For Sheikh Khalifa… 
The top lot of the day came in the form of lot 264, a strapping bay from Milburn Creek who is a full-brother to another of Snitzel’s recent luminaries in the G1 BRC TJ Smith S. winner Sizzling (Aus), a young sire at Newgate Farm. Bidding on the son of the stakes-placed Admirelle (Aus) (General Nediym {Aus}) opened at an even million, and in the end, it was Tim Stakemire, Racing Manager to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who prevailed at A$2.2 million to set a new high mark for the sale. Sheikh Khalifa also bought Tuesday’s session-topper, a A$1.6 million Fastnet Rock filly. 

The August foal is one of just six to be offered by Milburn Creek at Easter, a small–for Australia–200 acre farm in the Southern Highlands owned by John Muir. 

“My farm manager, Scott Holcombe, said to me, ‘You may never get the opportunity to be able to offer a colt of this quality again,’” Muir said. “He thought he was the nicest colt he’s ever had the opportunity to bring to a sale.” 

Muir said he still has Admirelle on his property. She lost her Redoute’s Choice colt this year, but is in foal to last year’s champion first-season sire I Am Invincible (Aus) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She will be bred back to Snitzel after producing that foal. 

“Even before this happened, she was always going to go back to Snitzel–they suit each other,” he noted. 
Two of Milburn Creek’s other four to be offered have made six figures: another Snitzel, a A$600,000 colt sold on day one, and a A$450,000 Northern Meteor (Aus) colt also sold Tuesday. 

Another Snitzel For Mr. Snitzel… 
Another man who has enjoyed plenty of success courtesy of Snitzel is trainer Gerald Ryan (aka Mr. Snitzel), who conditioned the stallion to his G1 Oakleigh Plate score and has handled a number of his better progeny, including G1 Lightning S. winner Snitzerland (Aus). Ryan will also be the trainer of lot 271, a Snitzel colt out of champion Alinghi (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) who was hammered down to David Raphael for A$1.8 million. 

Raphael, partially concealed under the tree at the front of the pavilion, opened proceedings at A$1 million and was unwavering throughout the bidding. 

“We opened at a million and went strong–I was going to buy him,” said Raphael, who added that the colt will race for his “usual partnership” under his Stallion Racing banner. Raphael also regularly campaigns horses with Damien Flower of Jadeskye Racing, which campaigned Snitzel himself. 

“Our motto for our partnership is that we’re looking for horses we can turn into stallions, so we hope we’ve bought a stallion,” Raphael said. “It’s a lot to pay, but if he is the horse we believe he can be, he could be a cheap horse.” 

Raphael explained that he and his partners continue to re-invest what they make on their horses. One of their better success stories is that of Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), a A$460,000 yearling purchase by Raphael at Magic Millions who was bought into by Coolmore after breaking his maiden impressively at first asking last January. He subsequently won the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and G2 Schillaci S. and has been knocking on the door in Group 1 company. Rubick runs in Saturday’s G2 Arrowfield Sprint on day two of The Championships at Randwick. 

“We are just a group of guys at Stallion Racing who are like anybody who is buying a A$10,000 horse, or an expensive horse like this,” Raphael said. “We’ve all put in a bit of money as a starting point, we’ve struck gold a couple times and we’re just re-investing. We’re having some luck, we’re finding the right horses and we’re re-investing. Hopefully we can go for a long time.” 

The Snitzel colt is out of champion and three-time Group 1 winner Alinghi, a full-sister to Perfect Persuasion, the dam of Tuesday’s A$1.6 million session-topper. Alinghi is also a full-sister to the dam of Arrowfield’s ill-fated current leading first-season sire Beneteau (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}).

Fastnet Lights Up… 
Despite being held out of the top two spots Wednesday, Fastnet Rock was not entirely denied–he was responsible for seven lots to make over A$500,000 on the day, headed by a pair of million-dollar babies. The first of those through the ring was lot 251, a colt from Kitchwin Hills that fetched A$1.35 million from a partnership including Coolmore and Stonestreet Stables. The bay, who is out of a half-sister to Snitzel and exciting first-season sire Hinchinbrook (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) named Wiener (Aus), will be trained by Gai Waterhouse. Coolmore’s Tom Magnier noted that the partnership would also include Greg and Donna Kolivos, who campaigned 2-year-old champion and young Coolmore sire Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) with Waterhouse; and Neil Werrett, who bred the colt and was the managing owner of Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), will stay in for a piece. 

Werrett noted the transaction marked a high point for him as a breeder. 

“I was hoping to get a million because I hadn’t sold one for a million,” he said. “It’s gone to good breeders and people who know what they’re buying, so that’s really great. Gai’s a great trainer, and the Coolmore boys are experts at picking Fastnet Rocks and they loved him.” 

Werrett owns Wiener, whose previous four offerings at auction have all made between A$475,000 and A$900,000, in partnership. 

“We’ve bred from her the last few years and she’s been a great mare,” he said. “He’s related to Snitzel and Hinchinbrook, so we’re very excited to get A$1.35 million today for him.” 

Werrett noted Wiener has a colt foal by All Too Hard (Aus) (Casino Prince {Aus}). He also offered an update on Black Caviar, who is currently carrying her second foal. 

“She’s good–she’s in foal to Sebring and she’s looking fantastic,” he said. “I was up there two weeks ago, the foal [an Exceed and Excel filly] has been weaned and it’s all going well.” 

John Moynihan, advisor to Barbara Banke of Stonestreet, added, “He’s a beautiful horse and he has an amazing pedigree. He looks like he’ll be early, and if he runs with the pedigree he has he’s worth a lot of money as a stallion prospect down here.” 

Stonestreet and Coolmore have partnered on horses both in America and Australia. They jointly own Stanford (Malibu Moon), a two-time winner who was second in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 28. Some recent high-profile purchases by the partnership include a A$600,000 Fastnet Rock weanling from the Teeley Assets dispersal at last year’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale and a $900,000 Bernardini juvenile at last month’s Fasig-Tipton Florida sale. 

Later in the session, Coolmore’s Tom Magnier went to A$1.75 million to secure lot 323, a Fastnet Rock filly from Segenhoe Stud. The bay is out of the blueblooded U.S.-bred mare Candlelight (Kingmambo), a half-sister to dual Grade I winner and successful Coolmore sire Grand Slam (Gone West) as well as the stakes-winning Leestown (Seattle Slew). Candlelight was a $875,000 purchase by Vin Cox Bloodstock at the 2009 Keeneland November sale, and she has produced winners by Bernardini and Street Cry (Ire) in France and Britain. 

Sepoy Steps Up Again… 
Darley’s first-season sire Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality) was the talk of the town on the Gold Coast in January after his colt out of Sister Madly (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) set a new record for a first-season sire when topping the sale at A$1.2 million, and the dual champion set a new mark again Wednesday when his colt out of the Group 1 winner Ancient Song (Aus) (Canny Lad) (lot 283) made A$1.6 million to the bid of agent James Harron. The chestnut is a half to the stakes-winning Tampiko (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), and it is also the family of last year’s G1 Victoria Derby victor Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). 

Harron, who said the colt had been bought for a group of existing clients, noted he was his “favorite colt of the sale,” and the agent said he has had success in the past with his favorite colts at Easter. 

“We paid A$925,000 for Foxwedge, and he’s gone on to be a [Group 1 winner and] stallion; and we paid A$1 million for [this year’s G1 Australian Guineas victor] Wandjina.” Harron also noted both those Group 1 winners were sourced when their sires, Fastnet Rock and Snitzel respectively, were young horses. 

The colt is likely to be trained by Peter and Paul Snowden. The former conditioned Sepoy to four 
Group 1 wins, including the G1 Golden Slipper, in 2011. 

More Friends For Moore… 
Sepoy’s former Darley barnmate, the late Street Cry (Ire), enjoyed a seven-figure sale during the opening session Tuesday when agent George Moore signed for a colt for A$1 million, and the same group swooped for another Street Cry colt Wednesday with Moore’s father, renowned Hong Kong trainer John Moore, signing the ticket at A$925,000 for lot 304. 

Moore paid tribute to Street Cry, who died at Darley Australia in September after an illness, saying, “We all know Street Cry has passed away, and for that reason we bought [the million-dollar colt], and we bought this fellow too because I have a very soft spot for Street Crys, and as far as I’m concerned I’d like more in Hong Kong.”

Lot 304 is a half-brother to New Zealand Group 1 winner Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and his dam, Believe’n’succeed (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), is a full-sister to young Darley stallion Kuroshio (Aus). 

“These were the only two that caught the eye, and I think eventually they’ll make their way up there,” Moore added, “They’ll likely trial in Australia [with Moore’s brother, trainer Gary Moore], then we’ll see where they go after that. But it looks as if they’ll come to Hong Kong because lot 79 is owned by Dr. Li Fook Kwan, who owns Able Friend, and this fellow is owned by David Boehm and partners who own Muskoka Farm.” 

Boehm is the owner of dual Group 1 winner Dan Excel (Aus) (Shamardal), who is trained by John Moore in Hong Kong and was fourth in Tuesday’s HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy behind the Moore-trained Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal). Able Friend extended his win streak to five Tuesday, but has come under criticism from some who viewed his performance as below par. Moore had a response for those critics of the three-time Group 1 winner Wednesday. 

“This was a lead-up race to the [G1] Champions Mile. He was a little underdone; a lot of people were querying me, but what does a horse have to do? He has to win, but a lot of people were saying it wasn’t like he usually wins races, and I’m going, he did win, didn’t he? Even the owner said he should have won by further,” Moore said. 

He continued, “[Jockey] Joao Moreira even commented that he was a little underdone, but the main target is the Champions Mile. We have to have him cherry ripe for that day. I’d rather put this race into him then go into the Champions Mile underdone.” 

The final lot to break the seven-figure barrier on the day was lot 247, a Redoute’s Choice (Aus) filly hammered down to Japanese buyer Takaya Shimakawa for A$1.1 million. Consigned by Arrowfield, she is a half to Australian Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old Weekend Hussler (Aus) (Hussonet). Shimakawa is the owner of Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who finished second in the G1 Ranvet S. in his first Australian outing Mar. 21 and will be among the favorites for Saturday’s A$4 million G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at The Championships. 

New Members of the Club… 
The China Horse Club, with its various partners, including Coolmore and Stonestreet, has signed for 14 lots through the first two sessions of the Easter sale, and the dearest of those Wednesday was lot 220, a More Than Ready filly in partnership with Coolmore for A$850,000. 

“We’ve had a bit of luck with the boys [Coolmore] and we enjoy the partnership with them,” said the China Horse Club’s Michael Wallace. “She’s a gorgeous filly with a big pedigree–she was always going to bring a decent price tag, so we’re happy to acquire her.” 

From Tyreel Stud, the filly is out of the Group 3 winner Tahni Girl (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), whose three foals to race have all won or placed in stakes. Tahni Girl is a half-sister to stakes winners Just Dancing (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Hidden Dragon (Aus) (Danehill), and it is also the family of G1 Victoria Derby winner Polanski (Aus) (Rakti {GB}).

“She’ll remain here and race in Australia,” Wallace said. “We’ll get [all the purchases] home and figure out who’s going to train them.” 

Setting the Gold Standard… 
Another busy buyer this week has been Shadwell’s Racing Manager Angus Gold, who has thus far signed for 15 yearlings on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan’s Australian operation. Shadwell has been the leading buyer at Easter the last two years, and currently sits second to Sheikh Hamdan’s cousin, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. Sheikh Hamdan has enjoyed success in some of Australia’s most important races, including two G1 Melbourne Cups, and his Australian operation has also become a successful feeder for his stables in South Africa and, ultimately, his home in Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan’s horses in Australia are trained by David Hayes, with Mike de Kock doing conditioning duties in South Africa and Dubai, and Gold said he has been inspecting horses with both trainers this week. 

“We have David Hayes for what stays in Australia, and we have Mike de Kock here, and what he likes we’ll send to South Africa, and if they’re good enough they’ll go to Dubai,” Gold explained. “That’s the basis of it. This is the third year running we’ve done it like that, and it works out quite well. It’s great for me to be able to work for two really good judges, and Jehan Malherbe, who works for Mike de Kock, he’s a great judge too. It’s very interesting to see the different horses everybody likes.” 

Among the more expensive of Shadwell’s purchases this week have been a Redoute’s Choice (Aus) filly out of the South African champion National Colour (SAf) (National Assembly) for A$675,000 on day one, and a A$600,000 More Than Ready filly (lot 208) Wednesday. 

Gold noted, however, that he hasn’t got everything he came for; he was underbidder on five yearlings through the middle of the session Wednesday, including the top two lots and the A$1.6 million Sepoy colt. 

“It’s a tough market,” he lamented. “I thought today was our day for buying really good colts. It’s great that the market is as strong as it is, just a little frustrating obviously when you can’t get the good colts.” 

“It’s great for Australia–this place has really come of age,” he added. “Seven or eight years ago you’d have bought most of what you wanted, and suddenly the rest of the world has come down here and made it very strong.” 

Gold noted that the strong prize money on offer Down Under also makes it more practical for a breeder to take a chance on a horse. 

“Everyone keeps saying there’s a high buyback rate, but they can race for great prize money here,” he reasoned. “If they like a horse, fair enough, why wouldn’t they [take a chance with it]?” 

Hughes Continues to Spend… 
Spendthrift Farm announced the acquisition of its first Australian property, the former Yallambee Stud in Victoria, early morning Australian time Wednesday, and later in the day B. Wayne Hughes and his team were working to populate the farm by buying horses at Easter. 

Spendthrift signed for four yearlings over the first two days of the sale, with its two most expensive purchases coming Wednesday. Lot 279, a filly by More Than Ready out of the G2 Silver Slipper Amelia’s Dream (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), cost A$700,000, and later in the session Spendthrift added lot 346, a Redoute’s Choice (Aus) colt out of New Zealand stakes winner Crossyourheart (NZ) (Show A Heart {Aus}), for A$725,000. Their day one purchases were another More Than Ready filly for A$200,000 and a colt from the last crop of champion first-season sire Northern Meteor (Aus) for A$350,000. 

Ned Toffey, general manager of Spendthrift, said the team had considered a number of Australian properties, but the Yallambee property appealed the most for a number of reasons, including the owner and breeder awards available in Victoria through the VOBIS scheme. 

“The property reminded us a bit of Spendthrift at home in that it’s a historic property that comes with a great reputation, and a place we thought would fit our operation–the size was right, the location was good and Rick and Christie Woodard, whose family has operated it for years, have agreed to stay on with us, so that was a big bonus for us as well,” Toffey explained. He said they considered properties in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, the base of many of Australia’s prolific studs including Darley and Coolmore, but that Yallambee “looked like the ideal property.” 

Toffey said the plan is to implement a similar business plan to Spendthrift in America. 

“Our operation here, we think to a large extent, will mirror what we do in America,” he noted. “We stand stallions, but we don’t board mares–we try to refer mares to our good neighbors. We’ll sell yearlings, although that’s something we farm out as well to various consignors. We’ll stand stallions, we’ll do some racing, we’ll buy some yearlings, we’ll shuttle some stallions, and we hope to pick up some local stallions as well with the intention of shuttling them North.” 
Toffey continued, “All of the colts we buy at sales, that’s what we’re looking to do. We have to have some thought that they can, with the right kind of racing career, fit in our stallion barn at some point, somewhere.” 

When asked if Spendthrift Australia would aim to implement breeder’s programs like its Share the Upside Down Under, Toffey said, “Absolutely.” 

“I hope the breeders here will be receptive to our programs,” he said. “I think they will. I think it doesn’t matter where you are, value is value, and that is what we try very hard to offer to our breeders. We try to take a partnership approach to them, and we’re going to try to do the same kind of thing here.” 

All of Spendthrift’s Australian horses, including its Easter purchases and the A$1.2 million sale-topper from Magic Millions, are slated to join the training team of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes. 

“We’re very happy with them so far,” Toffey said. “I suspect over time we may mirror what we do at home and use a number of different trainers and locations, but for right now we have everything with the Hawkeses and we’re very happy with that arrangement.” 

Easter’s third and final session kicks off at 11 a.m. local time Thursday.