There’s a buzz about the first Press Statement yearlings being prepped for the Gold Coast Magic Millions.

The Sale is just a week away and Vinery’s Bloodstock Manager Adam White said it’s exciting to hear all the feedback in the countdown to January 9.  “He’s an outstanding individual and has been very popular with breeders.  They’ve been rewarded because his progeny are extremely athletic and look like racehorses.”

Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) was unbeaten as a juvenile climaxing his first campaign in the J J Atkins Stakes Gr.1 at Doomben.  He resumed in the spring and toyed with our best colts for a second time at a mile in the Caulfield Guineas Gr.1.

He was the only colt of his generation to win a Group 1 as a 2YO and 3YO.

Sledmere Stud offers the first yearling at auction by Press Statement on the Gold Coast and owner Royston Murphy couldn’t wish for a better opening gambit.  Catalogued as Lot 78, his filly from Rossarita (Testa Rossa) is closely related to More Than Ready’s International Group 1 galloper Eagle Way.

“She’s our first yearling to parade and she is a ripper.  Every visitor to the farm has liked her.  Plenty of scope and well-balanced.  We have a nice draft of fillies and she rates with the very best of them.”

Murphy and his wife Catriona welcomed the recent rain at Scone.  “It was a long time coming and it’s great to see ducks back in the dams!  The horses loved a good shower on their backs, too.  They’re thriving and haven’t taken a backward step.”

Sledmere has also been riding a winning wave with its Magic Millions graduates headed by Invincibella.  The Chris Waller-trained mare won the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies & Mares at the Gold Coast and returned for spring carnival victories in Sydney (Sheraco Stakes Gr.2) and Melbourne (Empire Rose Stakes Gr.2).

Waller trained Press Statement and rated him a superstar colt at two.  “I believe Press Statement was a better horse than Zoustar and Brazen Beau at the same stage,” he claimed.  “And I was blown away with how great he looked at the Vinery Stud stallion parade in August.

“He has a lot of presence about him and has let down into a quality stallion.  I look forward to his yearlings in the New Year.”

Yarraman Park’s Press Statement filly from Thinking Of You (Lot 225) will strike a chord with Waller.  Her dam was Group 1 placed at Randwick in the 2014 Flight Stakes behind First Seal and Winx!

“I’m sure the market will like her,” studmaster Harry Mitchell claimed.  “She’s correct with a strong hindquarter and a good walk.  Not huge but built in a similar mould to Hinchinbrook.”

Press Statement can help fill the huge gap left by his sire in the years to come.  Hinchinbrook died all too young at Yarraman Park in July and his loss was highlighted by Unite and Conquer’s brilliant victory in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic last week.

Vinery’s first Press Statement to go under the hammer at the Magic Millions (Lot 347) is the filly out of Amberino (pictured).  “She’s a highlight,” White said.  “Amberino was a tough mare and a Group 2 winner at Randwick.  Her filly is a half-sister to Winter Bride who won two Group 3 races at Caulfield during the spring carnival.”

Vinery’s Magic Millions consignment will be available for inspection at Stable H on the Gold Coast as from Friday, January 4.

Hoofnote: Press Statement has received a winning update for his Baramul Stud filly catalogued as Lot 1065 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

The filly’s older half-brother Too Hard To Rattle (All Too Hard) responded to a rail-hugging ride by Jimmy Orman to break his maiden for trainer Desleigh Foster at the Sunshine Coast last week.  Their dam Rattled (More Than Ready) was bred by Vinery and is an unraced half-sister to Snowland (The Galaxy Gr.1).