January 2004
Inglis Classic Purchases 23 January 2004
The 2004 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale followed the trend established at Magic Millions last week by setting new records for gross and average. The sale was a tremendous success on every level attracting lots of people and significant new investors to the industry. There was a positive atmosphere from the very first day of inspections and the last minute decision by Managing Director Reg Inglis to re-instate an incentive race in Sydney for Classic Sale graduates added further goodwill to proceedings.
Smaller vendors did exceptionally well at this sale and it is worth noting that of the 10 yearlings which fetched $100,000 or better, none were sired by a horse which stood for more than $30,000 in 2001. Many breeders have faced tough economic times over the last few years, challenged by drought conditions and a fickle marketplace so it is great to see them at last receiving a good return.
Other aspects of Classic, which should be commended are the competent well-prepared staff and transparent dealings which made for a thoroughly enjoyable buying experience.
Purchase
Breeding
Comments
$130,000
Black colt Xaar (GB) x Alto Flyer
Magnificent type, super impressive individual by well regarded young stallion from a proven producer whose family includes Hong Kong champion Fairy King Prawn. Purchased for a private client and to be trained by Garry Frazer.
$70,000
Bay colt Gilded Time (USA) x Viva Miranda
First foal of a young mare by Quest for Fame (GB) from the family of champion juvenile Tierce. Lovely colt, purchased on spec and to be trained by Matt Smith.
$50,000
Bay colt Commands x Lady of Letters
One of the best buys of the sale. By red hot sire Commands, first foal of very smart metropolitan winner Lady of Letters, a three-quarter sister to stakes-winner King Lotto. Racy colt from a real running family and BOBS eligible. Purchased on spec and to be trained by Gary Portelli.
$50,000
Bay colt Jade Robbery (USA) x Climb the Vine
By the sire of slick filly Jade Diva, first foal of stakes-winning juvenile Climb the Vine. Very well put together, athletic type. Purchased for private clients and to be trained by Matt Smith.
$45,000
Chestnut filly Beautiful Crown (USA) x Western Show
By a stallion, who does a tremendous job and is still under-valued when you consider the prices paid for the stock of Redoute's Choice and Commands, both of whom are still to be proven in the long term. Second foal of a young daughter of Best Western from the family of Golden Slipper winner Toy Show. BOBS eligible. Purchased for a private client and to be trained by Garry Frazer.
$28,000
Bay colt Hurricane Sky x Condescendance (USA)
By an under-rated stallion whose excellent stats never seem to equate to sale ring dollars. Second foal of well-related daughter of El Gran Senor. Beautiful horse purchased under budget for a syndicate of first time investors. To be trained by Gary Portelli.
$28,000
Chestnut filly Beautiful Crown (USA) x Hot and Danzerous
Another great value youngster by Beautiful Crown (USA), this time from an unraced half-sister by Danzero to former classy stakes-winning sprinter Hot to Race. BOBS eligible, purchased on spec and to be trained by Gary Portelli.
$26,000
Bay filly Orpen (USA) x Make Haste
By a young stallion already throwing winners, from good metropolitan racemare Make Haste who can produce a lovely type. Nice racy filly, BOBS eligible, purchased on spec and to be trained by Gary Portelli.
Patience Pays Off With Dakota Kel 16 January 2004
Troublesome three year old DAKOTA KEL (2002 Classic $30,000) opened his winning account at Newcastle last week and we are hopeful that he might at last deliver on the promise he has always shown.
We originally had Dakota Kel in work with Gary Portelli, however persistent lameness restricted the geldings career to just three starts and in the end we decided to send him to the country to be trained by Wayne Cone at Gulgong.
I had my first horse with Cone about 14 years ago and have had something in work with him ever since. To cut a long story short…… Dakota Kel won brilliantly at Newcastle running a very fast last 600 metres..…. he has subsequently pulled up well and we intend to go to Canterbury with him in 2 weeks time.
Grand Model, A Grand Investment 16 January 2004
At the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale last year I spotted a three year old filly which I thought had plenty of future broodmare appeal.
We were lucky enough to secure Grand Model for $US40,000, a figure that is looking very reasonable given that she has had two starts since we took ownership winning $US19,000 for a win and a second place at Turfway Park.
Grand Model is by the highly successful young stallion Grand Slam who will stand this season at Ashford Stud for $US75,000. Her dam Archimillionaire is the dam of seven winners including Group Three winner Uanme and stakes-winner Be My Reply.
More importantly she comes from a most influential family, which includes wonder broodmare Fanfreluche whose descendants include leading Australian stallions Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur.
Grand Model will be aimed towards some Black Type events and fingers crossed she may become a very valuable commodity indeed.
Jolie & Jymcarew Chase $610,000 Inglis Classic 15 January 2004
At the Classic Yearling Sale last year we purchased just four youngsters and for two of them to be lining up in the $610,000 Inglis Classic is a fantastic result for all concerned.
JOLIE (2003 Classic $26,000) always appealed as a genuine two year old type and she has done a super job for her owners already, winning some $116,000 from her four starts to date.
She is a BOBS qualified filly and her healthy earnings include $40,000 worth of BOBS bonuses. This is serious money and something that is really worth considering when you start narrowing down your selection list at a yearling sale and take into account where a horse will be trained.
JYMCAREW (2003 Classic $50,000) surprised a few people with his strong finishing debut win at Kembla, but he had shown good ability in trackwork and is certainly capable of running a cheeky race this Saturday.
We are particularly delighted to see Jymcarew take his place in the Inglis Classic as Reg Inglis commissioned me to buy the horse for the Banjo Club, whose members include Reg, and his long time friends Treve Williams and Bob Charley.
We congratulate the connections of both horses and wish them the very best of luck for this Saturday.
Winning Ways for Architrave 15 January 2004
Recent city winner ARCHITRAVE (2001 Sires’ Produce $28,000) continued the sparkling run of success being enjoyed the Gary Portelli stable this season.
Four year old gelding Architrave was purchased on the advice of Vin Cox Bloodstock at the 2001 Inglis Sires’ Produce Sale for $28,000.
He has been most consistent this preparation and we were thrilled to see him finally break through at Warwick Farm for a well deserved win. The son of Woodman (USA) has banked close to $134,000 from his 24 starts, winning four races and placing five times.
Magic Millions Purchases 15 January 2004
There is no denying that the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was an overwhelming success with record figures posted right across the board. Of course the large draft of yearlings by Danehill (USA) were always going to make a huge impact on the overall results, however it was the strength of the middle market which really made it such an outstanding sale for buyers and sellers alike. Full report on the Sales Results page
Very Merry Christmas for Team Mimzical 7 January 2004
Santa Claus delivered an early gift for the lucky connections of much loved filly Mimzical (2002 Classic $12,500), whose prizemoney soared to $105,800 after winning at Randwick on Saturday.
The bonnie brown miss rocketed home from near last on the turn, zooming past horse after horse under the gentle encouragement of champion jockey Damien Oliver.
“Mimzical is just a tough little iron horse,” said jubilant trainer Gary Portelli.
“She’s raced her way through the grades this preparation and done a tremendous job.”
Mimzical is the horse we selected at the 2002 Classic Yearling Sale, and for whom we expected to pay about $20,000. Sure she was small, but she was also well put together and correct, plus she was the first foal of a stakes-placed mare…..$20,000 seemed like a reasonable figure.
As it happened, we managed to get the filly for just $12,500 and none of us could quite understand why she was so cheap.
In fact, another trainer offered to pay us $25,000 for her immediately after the sale but we declined the opportunity to turn a quick profit. Thank goodness!!!
Mimzical was bred at Emirates Park Stud, where she won the heart of Yearling Manager, Chloe Latif, who liked the El Moxie (USA) filly so much she decided to purchase a share.
The remaining shares were taken up by myself, Gary Portelli, Scot Hayman, Eden Harrington and Reg Inglis, plus Inglis staff members Richard Haynes, Tara Madgwick and Melissa O’Gorman.
Mimzical will now head for a well earned Christmas break and as for us, the lucky people who own a few hairs in her tail, our Christmas will be all the merrier for her fine efforts this campaign.
Thankyou Mimzical!
Flying Debut for Valse de Fleurs 7 January 2004
Smart two year old filly Valse des Fleurs (2003 Magic Million $75,000) is Magic Millions bound after making an encouraging debut at Randwick on Saturday.
The daughter of promising first season sire Stravinsky (USA) gained some valuable Black Type when she ran a brave second behind top colt Not a Single Doubt in the AJC Canonbury Stakes L.
Valse des Fleurs is a New Zealand bred filly which we purchased for $75,000 at the Magic Millions Sales on behalf of enthusiastic owners Paul and Judy Kevin.
She was a beautiful mover as a yearling, however being from a stoutly bred Kiwi mare I certainly did not anticipate that she would be up and running before Christmas.
But it just goes to show, that if a horse remains sound during training and has the required ability, then they might as well be racing. No point in holding off if they are ready to get on with the job.
Paul and Judy Kevin own a pharmacy in Blayney and have raced horses for many years, but by their own admission have not enjoyed much luck in recent times.
Valse des Fleurs could be just the thing to change their fortunes.
Personal Legend Adds Value 7 January 2004
Back in June we made mention of a promising three year old filly in America called Personal Legend, which had just secured a Black Type placing.
We purchased her dam Highland Legend (USA) at the 2000 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $US115,000 on behalf of long time client John Rippon and she is now based in Australia at his picturesque property Reavill Farm.
Personal Legend featured in the results from America again at the weekend, going down by a nose in the Dahlia Stakes Gr 2 on turf at Hollywood Park.
She has now been stakes-placed on three occasions highlighted by a third in the Del Mar Oaks Gr 1 and boasts an overall record of two wins and four placings from nine starts, with prizemoney of $US183,010.
Reavill Farm will offer the first Australian bred foal from Highland Legend (USA) at the 2004 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The youngster is a beautiful filly by the exciting young sire Redoute’s Choice, whose progeny include boom two year old Not a Single Doubt.
