Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia spent $11.54 million on behalf of its clients during Book 1 of the Magic Millions Sale.
Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland led FBAA members with 15 lots totalling $2.74 million. The majority of those yearlings are destined for trainers Anthony Freedman and Toby Edmonds.
Colts by Snitzel ($410,000) and Vancouver ($400,000) topped the shopping list but several changed hands at bargain prices.
First of the Blue Sky buys for Freedman was the I Am Invincible – Primaluna (Lot 27) colt at $160,000. “He’s a beautiful, early runner from a half sister to Odyssey Moon,” Blaxland said. “You buy early – you buy right!”
Another snip was the Snitzel – Mumbai Rock filly (Lot 843) on Saturday night. “Wow! A Snitzel for $160,000,” Blaxland exclaimed. “She was well found by Anthony and he’s really looking forward to getting her home.”
The first purchase for Edmonds Racing was the I Am Invincible – Zimaretto colt (Lot 308) for $360,000. “He’s from a family we know a little bit about,” Edmonds said. “His dam has also foaled our stakes winning mare From Within.”
From Within (Not A Single Doubt) was a $360,000 buy for Blue Sky at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions. She had completed a hat-trick on the Sunshine State prior to a dominant victory in the LR Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in October.
Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy bought a half-dozen lots – all fillies – for $1.47 million. The I Am Invincible filly from LR Oaklands Plate winner Cailin Miss (Lot 433) was top of the dial at $320,000.
He also paid $300,000 apiece for Frankel filly from Yulong Investment and an All Too Hard half-sister to G3 WA Oaks winner Very Tempting.
Belmont Bloodstock graduates have been running hot in Perth. They completed a double for Bob and Sandra Peters at Saturday’s Pinjarra stand-alone meeting with American Joy (Americain) and Sally’s Realm (More Than Ready).
Gabbedy also had a hand in the Written Tycoon – Golden Penny colt (Lot 624) that made $900,000 to the bid of James Harron on Friday. He bought the mare in foal to the Woodside Park stallion for $270,000 at the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Great Southern Sale.
Sheamus Mills was active throughout the four sessions parting with $1.46 million but waited until late on Saturday night for his top buy – the $420,000 half-sister to Randwick stakes winner Goodfella (Lot 840).
“A Queen by Written Tycoon,” Mills tweeted. “She’s a proper investment.”
Within the hour, SMB weighed in with another $280,000 for the Not A Single Doubt filly from Nayeli (More Than Ready) who was a Group 3 winner in Sydney and Melbourne. “We would like to bring back for next year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic,” he said. “She’s super sharp.”
Mills was all set to celebrate this year’s 2YO Classic when Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) looked home only to be run down by Exhilarates. He’s the first foal of Chantilly stakes-performer Suspicieuse (Elusive City) who was a €55,000 buy for SMB at the Arqana Bloodstock Sale.
“Dubious gave us a good thrill and hopefully there’s more to come,” Mills added. “He was gallant in defeat and collects an additional $325,000 for being the first all female-owned runner across the line.”
Dean Watt Bloodstock bought 10 lots for $1.34 million starting with colts by Tapit (Lot 142) and Exceed And Excel (Lot 230) on Day 1.
“So thrilled to purchase the stunning son of Tapit to race in Australia,” Watt said. “The Tapit – Forestry cross is simply freakish – 78% winners to runners and 22% stakes winners to runners.”
The Exceed And Excel colt is from G2 Wakeful Stakes winner Timbourina. “He cost $150,000 from Mark Alati’s Marquee Stud and Mark is back in with 20%. The colt will be trained by Ciaron Maher.”
Duncan Ramage targeted a Smart Missile filly for $360,000 on account of Anthony Cummings. Catalogued as Lot 341, the DGR Thoroughbred Services buy is a half-sister to G2 Todman Stakes winner Aylmerton.
Peter Ford Thoroughbreds and trainer Robbie Griffiths bought a Wandjina colt from G1 Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake for $300,000. She was offered by Gilgai Farm and their other buys – a
Fastnet Rock colt and Medaglia d’Oro filly – were on account of Edinburgh Park.
Bill Mitchell and his son James were busy operating under Mitchell Bloodstock for the first time at the Magic Millions. They signed for yearlings worth $1.22 million topped by the I Am Invincible colt (Lot 795) that made $500,000.
Offered by Widden Stud, he was last to parade on Friday and will be trained by Chris Waller. His dam Michaux (Redoute’s Choice) is a winning three-quarter sister to A Time For Julia (G3 Wenona Girl Hcp).
Laurel Oak Bloodstock paid $200,000 each for a Hinchinbrook colt from Coolmore and a Pierro filly from Baramul. “They’re super value,” Louis Mihalyka said. “We would have loved more but they were first four days of about 22 yearling sale days we attend.”
Astute Bloodstock’s Louis Le Metayer bought fillies by Dissident and Written Tycoon for a combined $335,000. The Dissident from Amarina Farm is the first foal of Trinity River, a Lonhro mare credited with interstate wins for EZ Racing and Kim Waugh.
Hancock Quality Bloodstock bought a Husson – Grand Jazz colt for $150,000 from Noralla Stud. He will be raced by Perth brothers Wally and George Daly who have been flying with Group 1 winner Vega Magic.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia 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
I AM INVINCIBLE – ZIMARETTO COLT