FORMER champion racehorse Testa Rossa couldn’t be travelling any better ahead of the 2012 yearling sales set to kick off at the Gold Coast, the scene of his momentous Magic Millions win in 1999.

The Vinery Stud resident finished in fourth spot on the national sires rankings (by individual winners) in each of the past two seasons.

But with the 2011/12 season yet to reach it’s halfway point, Testa Rossa, is sitting third behind Commands and Redoute’s Choice.

Testa Rossa’s 69 individual winners this season have won 93 races between them, with the Peter Moody trained mare There’s Only One contributing five of those.

Moody has enjoyed considerable success with the Testa Rossa breed, having put the polish on the likes of Group 1 SAJC Derby hero, Testafiable as well as 2011-12 stakeswinners Panipique and Testascana.

“Testa Rossa sired eight stakeswinners last season and has sired five already this year and we are not halfway yet,” Vinery Stud’s Adam White said.

“The highlight was Ortensia, who won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes but it was also good to see the two Melbourne four-yearolds Testascana and Testa My Patience measure up to stakes races.

“Pane In The Glass was the top rated 2to filly of her year and won the Silver Shadow first-up, but she didn’t have a lot of luck after that, while Ranger won two stakes races including the Group 3 Lee Steere Stakes this summer.”

Testa Rossa is to be represented at next month’s Magic Millions sale by 35 yearlings, including the fullbrother to Ortensia and the first foal of Peter Moody’s grand mare Reggie.

“Testa Rossa yearlings always sell very well at the Gold Coast,” White said.

“Ten of his 15 yearlings that have made $200,000 or more were sold at the Magic Millions. He is a super consistent stallion, he can get a two-year-old like Rostova, great milers and horses that can stay a bit.

“Testa Rossa has a winners-to-runners of more than 70 per cent, they are tough and can handle racing, which is why he is often referred to as the ‘trainer’s stallion,’ White said.

“He gets winners all over Australia and while (his yearlings) nearly always average more than the sale average where they get sold, you don’t have to sell the farm to buy one.”