David Vandyke was right on the limit when he paid $220,000 for an All Too Hard colt at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on Tuesday.
The Sunshine Coast trainer knows all about the All Too Hard breed and he went back to the source to top Vinery Stud’s Book 1 draft for the colt out of Lonyx (Lot 566). “He’s magnificent in every sense of the word,” Vandyke said. “He was the one I wanted and I was very happy to walk away with that boy.”
Vinery sold him as agent for Queensland-based breeder Jill Strachan (Reynella Thoroughbreds). She also bred the dam’s Stakes-winning half-sister’s Sexy Eyes (Gosford Belle of the Turf Gr.3) and Tina Melina (BRC Nudgee Hcp LR).
“I’ve got a bit of history with All Too Hard,” Vandyke continued. “They’re beautiful horses and easy to train. Things just worked out for us yesterday. Someone went to $200,000 and that left me with one last bid.”
Vandyke was instrumental in the development of All Too Hard’s alpha-male Alligator Blood who was first past the post in all bar one of his first 11 starts culminating with a Group 1 breakthrough in the VRC Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
“Obviously, I educated him and it’s the same with Yankee Rose (All American). I bought her for $10,000 at the 2015 Classic Sale and she was Australia’s Champion 2YO Filly and 3YO Filly.”
Alligator Blood is still performing at the elite level with Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Yankee Rose foaled Liberty Island first-up in Japan. She maintained an unbeaten record to her career in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (Gr.1, 1600m) in December. “It’s very satisfying knowing they’re products of my system,” Vandyke added. “We have two stables at Corbould Park and they’re named after Alligator Blood and Yankee Rose.”
Vandyke can be contacted for more information about buying a share in the All Too Hard colt from Lonyx at: www.vandykeracing.com
Topping the Book 1 draft for Vinery freshman Exceedance was the colt from Blazing Dragon (Lot 283) that was purchased by DGR Thoroughbred Services for $120,000. The dam won five races up to 2200m in Sydney and he will be trained by Chris Anderson.
NSW South-Coast trainer Barb Joseph also took a liking to the Exceedance – Logan’s Choice filly (Lot 563). “I trained the dam and she was a lovely mare,” Joseph recalled. “I’ve always wanted to buy a filly out of her and was very happy to buy this one.
“She’s a very athletic, free-walking filly. I probably went a bit higher than I expected at $70,000 and my boys aren’t happy. But if she’s a good one, they will be all right.”
Inglis Bloodstock reported this week’s Classic Sale showed evidence of an area of selectivity to the market that wasn’t present last year. Vinery’s results mirrored that trend with an average of $88,000. That was down on its returns in 2022 but significantly better than the 2021 average of $72,500.
Vinery has 17 yearlings catalogued for the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale starting on Sunday March 5 through to Tuesday March 7. First to parade is the Exceedance colt from Brisbane Group 3 winner Peace Force who has be catalogued as Lot 18.
