BUYERS in Australia are expected to follow the lead set by our American cousins when it comes to the extraordinary popularity of Kentucky Derby/Preakness superhorse Big Brown.

The Three Chimneys/Vinery Stud shuttler has been a force in sales rings across the United States with his weanlings, yearlings and (first) two-year-olds selling more in accordance with pre GFC’ times.

Big Brown was responsible for the first horse of any kind to reach seven figures in the USA in 2012, when one of his two-year-olds was knocked down to global breeding giants Coolmore for US$1.3 at a Fasig-Tipton sale held in Florida late last month.

Three more Big Brown two-year-olds were sold (4 offered) at Keeneland this week selling for an average of US$145,000.

 

Australian breeders/buyers will have their opportunity to cash-in on Big Brown’s future success at the 2012 Inglis Broodmare Sale which starts at Newmarket on Tuesday.

There are seven mares believed to be in foal to Big Brown catalogued for sale as well as two broodmares being sold with Big Brown foals at foot.

Leading the way among the contingent is Lot 65, the Flying Spur stakeswinner Vignor, on account of Vinery Stud (as agent).

“Flying Spur is a future champion broodmare sire and is the sire of the dams of Sebring and Headway as well as Raceway, Ashokan, Later Gator and Maribyrnong Trial winner, Cambiaso – all by More Than ready,” says Vinery’s Conor Phelan.

“Vignor is the dam of another one of More Than Ready’s stakes-performed two-year-olds this season in Dysfunction and she foaled a More Than Ready filly last year and a Red Ransom colt before that so there is plenty to come through yet.”

 

As for Big Brown, Phelan anticipates the demand from US and UK buyers for the breed to be replicated in Australia when the time comes.

“Horses like Big Brown are once in a generation racehorses and he was a bit like Secretariat or Black Caviar in that he dominated his gerneration and is a house hold name outside of the sport because of what he did,” Phelan says.

“He has all the credentials to make it as a sire, especially here in Australia, because he was undefeated on turf and won his first start as a two-year-old by almost 12-lengths.

“He covered a great book of mares in his first couple of seasons here and his foals are those big, strong, athletic types that buyers look for in the sale ring.”

 

Apart from the mares and two foals on offer next week in Sydney, the next major milestone for Big Brown will come at the Gold Coast in the winter.

“Pierro and More Than Ready’s Group 1 winning son Gimmethegreenlight were sold at the Magic Millions  National Weanling Sale so there are special horses to be found there.  We will certainly be taking some nice one’s up there” Phelan noted.

“I already know of a handful of exceptional Big Brown weanlings that are being prepared for the sale.”