Spendthrift Farm owner B Wayne Hughes continued to consolidate his Australian interests with an $800,000 Fastnet Rock colt on Day 2 of the Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale.

The colt was bred in Victoria by Makybe and the Spendthrift principal had to beat off some stiff opposition during the morning session on Thursday.

Hughes took charge of the bidding flanked by Spendthrift’s USA general manager Ned Toffey and his Victorian-based Australian general manager Garry Cuddy.  “The colt has got the looks and the pedigree,” Cuddy said.  “The auctioneer said he’s a stallion in waiting and just about sums up the package.”

The well-built chestnut is out of Gold Anthem and she has already foaled Group 1 racehorse and sire Starspangledbanner (Choisir) and the dam of G1 Thousand Guineas winner Amicus (Fastnet Rock).

Hughes was also active on Day 1 of the Magic Millions purchasing colts by Street Cry ($625,000) and Snitzel ($500,000).  He flew back to the USA on Thursday afternoon but Cuddy indicated the Spendthrift team still has a shopping list for the Friday and Saturday evening sessions.

“That’s the plan and it’s a statement of intent by Mr Hughes,” Cuddy said.  “Buying the horses is the easy part – they will head to Limitless Lodge and a decision on trainers will be made in due course.”

Spendthrift has just finished its inaugural southern covering season well at the Victorian nursery formally known as Yallambee Stud.  The foundation roster comprised Australian Group 1 winner Hampton Court and three shuttlers from Kentucky.

Hampton Court (Redoute’s Choice) won the G1 Champion Stakes at Randwick and he flew out to Kentucky on December 21 for his first northern book this year.  “We are excited to be able to offer American breeders the opportunity to ‘Share the Upside’ or ‘Breed Secure’ on Hampton Court,” Hughes said.

“Redoute’s Choice is Danehill’s best son at stud, and Danehill was Danzig’s best son at stud.  We believe Hampton Court can be an important and unique stallion for American breeders from a highly successful sire line.”

NED TOFFEY (left) and B WAYNE HUGHES