Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland returned to the source when he bought the top-priced Better Than Ready yearling at the Magic Millions QTIS Sale this week.
The filly from Licenced to Chill (Lot 338) was the most expensive of 47 lots by Better Than Ready that changed hands on the Gold Coast and she also topped the FBAA leader-board at $170,000.
“She was the filly of the sale in my opinion,” Blaxland said. “A beautiful mover who will get every chance for the 2020 Magic Millions Classic with Toby Edmonds.”
Blaxland had purchased Better Than Ready (More Than Ready) for $120,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions National Foal Sale. He won the LR Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick before retiring to Lyndhurst Stud where he has taken off as Australia’s leading first-season sire in 2018-19.
Blue Sky targeted fellow freshman Rich Enuff when parting with $55,000 for the colt out of Fantastic Glen (Lot 260). He will be prepared by Anthony Freedman who has Lyre among the leading fancies for the G1 Golden Slipper this Saturday.
Blaxland and the connections of Bellevue Hill (Pierro) will be hoping their 2018 Inglis Easter Sale graduate gets a run from third reserve in the Golden Slipper. His 2017 graduates Sunlight and Embrace Me are primed to the minute for the G1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell weighed in with $110,000 for the Better Than Ready – Rosaria colt (Lot 56) in conjunction with Grafton trainer Brenden Mackay.
“Boomer is a great judge and we landed the colt within our budget,” Mackay told ANZ Bloodstock News. “I have always felt really confident with him and it’s always great to have an extra set of eyes. This colt adds another dimension to the lovely team of young horses we have at home.”
Pinhook Bloodstock’s Dave Mee bought a Spirit of Boom colt for $50,000 on Monday and a Spirit Of Boom filly for $55,000 on Tuesday.
The colt from Proud As Punch (Lot 38) is a from a three-quarter sister to LR Goldmarket Hcp winner Upstart Pride. The filly out of Miss Express (Lot 372) is out of a half-sister to Sydney Group 1 winner Carnegie Express.
The filly was the latest lot Mee has purchased for Flying Start Syndications manager Cam Bennett and the 11th overall for new and established clients in March at the Melbourne Premier and Magic Millions in Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Group 1 Bloodstock’s Mathew Becker and Lloyd Kennewell joined the fray for fillies by Better Than Ready ($46,000) and Spirit of Boom ($44,000). “Better Than Ready is the hottest young stallion in Australia and our filly will be for a ‘Girls Only’ syndicate,” Kennewell declared. “She is super athletic and looks an early type.”
J J Gordon Bloodstock rounded out the FBAA list with $22,000 for a Love Conquers All colt (Lot 251). He’s a half-brother to David Pfieffer’s Eagle Farm juvenile winner Combatant.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.
The list of FBAA members can be viewed at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au
TOP-PRICED $170,000 BETTER THAN READY FILLY