The Gold Coast Magic Millions returned record-breaking gains last week and Vinery freshman All Too Hard was at the forefront of the all time high figures.
All Too Hard averaged $221,842 and, just as importantly, he headed all other first season sires with a median of $220,000 after book 2.
His top price was a filly from Factor Of Safety offered by Woodside Park who made $510,000. “It’s a new record price for the farm,” Woodside’s Matt Tillett declared. “She was out constantly but just took it all in her stride. We’re delighted.”
Leading agent James Harron was determined to buy her on Day 1. “All Too Hard was a fantastic racehorse and the filly is strong, athletic and looks a precocious type,” he said. “She’s all quality.”
All Too Hard’s leader among the colts was the chestnut from Gr.2 Karrakatta Plate winner Night War. He was purchased for $470,000 by Michael Wallace who was acting for China Horse Club chairman Teo Ah Khing.
And it was fitting John Hawkes should have the final word on the All Too Hard yearlings after paying $440,000 for the colt out of Roman Treasure (USA) offered by Vinery. “He was my pick of them,” he admitted. “I liked him from the minute I saw him.”
Hawkes plays the game with a poker-face after a lifetime in racing but the twinkle in his eye suggests the Roman Treasure colt could be something special.
All Too Hard emulated the Hawkes-trained hero Lonhro when he defeated Pierro in the 2012 Caulfield Guineas. “He’s among the best horses to have come through the stable,” Hawkes claimed after the stallion-making classic. “He’s in the same class as Lonhro. He’s just an absolute athlete with a big heart and a stallion’s pedigree.”
Vinery’s alpha-male More Than Ready pipped All Too Hard with an average of $231,154 on the Gold Coast. He had 13 lots sell to $400,000 and buyers who took home more than 1 included Shadai Stud’s Katsumi Yoshida, Gai Waterhouse, Peter Moody and Sun Bloodstock.
Yoshida and his brother Teruya have combed the world in recent years buying champion fillies and mares like Gr.1 VRC Oaks winner Mosheen. Their More Than Ready filly from Caulfield Gr.3 winner Sugar Babe cost $350,000 from John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud.
Husson sired 2 feature winners on Magic Millions raceday and that focused attention on his final Book 1 yearling on Saturday night. Trainer Gerald Ryan bought the filly from Viennese Lass – a close relation to his old favourite Snitzel – for $230,000.
That price-tag was a nice earner for breeder Neil Werrett who paid a $16,500 service fee to Husson in 2013.
Husson’s big-ticket winners Lucky Hussler (MM Cup) and Husson Eagle (MM Sprint) sent his current earnings to $2.50 million – less than $100k away from his best ever season.
Mossman champion Buffering pushed his prizemoney past $6 million in the MM QTIS Sprint and the following day Segenhoe trainer Peter Robl paid $80,000 for the Mossman filly from Starry Light.
Vinery sold the top-priced Casino Prince colt (Lot 19) for $115,000 to Bjorn Baker. He is from a sister to Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes winner Strike The Stars.
Testa Rossa averaged $108,000 for three sales headed by the colt (Lot 948) from a half-sister to Champion European 3YO Rodrigo de Triano. He made $165,000 and will be syndicated by Darby Racing.
Pluck’s second crop included a $90,000 colt (Lot 980) related to Sydney stakes winner Western Beau. He paraded just a couple of hours after Pluck’s promising colt Cogliere won at Coffs Harbour to qualify for the $250,000 Inglis 2YO Classic at Randwick on Feb 6.
Vinery’s draft sold very well and had General Manager Peter Orton thrilled with the results. Vinery sold 16 of it’s 18 catalogued yearlings for an average of $232,500 and an aggregate of over $3.7 million.
