Kilto Park owner Neville Bell could have pocketed $110,000 for a Choisir colt at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearling sale but he elected to take the youngster back home to Caboolture.

Bell had a $120,000 reserve on the grey colt but bidding fell $10,000 short at the Gold Coast sales complex.  Bell and his wife Mary named the colt Chosen to Fly and he’s repaying their faith with five wins and almost $150,000 in prizemoney this year.

“It’s one of those decisions that’s looking good now,” Bell recalled.  “We’re very proud of him.”

Chosen to Fly (3c Choisir – Butterfly Kisses by Spectacular Spy) won twice at home on the Sunshine Coast in May before local trainer Mick Mair gave him a crack at the big time in the G2 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm.  And he gave them a fright at long-odds before fading behind top colt Pressday.

Resuming in September, Chosen to Fly won first-up at his home track before returning to town for wins over 1000m and 1200m.

“It was a good effort,” Mair said after his most recent victory in the QARDSS QTIS 3YO Hcp at Doomben last Saturday.  “He switched off when he got to the front but I think he will get a mile later.”

Connections are now looking at a start in the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Trophy at the Gold Coast on January 15.  

The Bells lowered their sights when it came time to sell their Ombra Della Sera – Butterfly Kisses colt at the 2010 Magic Millions Winter yearling sale.  The dam had died in November 2008 and her last foal made just $25,000.  

Ombra Della Sera is an under rated sire based at Kilto Park.  A son of Brave Warrior, just like Show A Heart, he was a Listed winner of the GCTC Ken Russell Memorial and has sired 65 winners of 141 races.

Kilto Park is also home to Champions Gallery (GB).  The first son of red-hot sire Dansili to stand in Australia, he won at Ascot before transferring to the Far East where he was placed in the 2007 Hong Kong Derby.