Lauriston Thoroughbreds averaged $170,000 for its yearlings at the Magic Millions and operations manager James O’Brien was also busy keeping count of the farm’s winning graduates over the weekend.

The Corinella nursery grossed $850,000 for its 5 lots on the Gold Coast topped by a $220,000 filly bought by Victorian syndicator Brad Spicer.  She’s bred to fly by Snitzel from Moonee Valley 55 Second Challenge winner Rapidement.

“She’s VOBIS nominated and Brad will bring her back to target all the bonus money,” O’Brien said.  “She’s an impressive filly and is bred on a similar cross to Wandjina.”

Lauriston Thoroughbreds sold a Snitzel colt (ex Paramount) to Toby Edmonds for $200,000 plus a Redoute’s Choice filly (ex Show Stealer) that Jason Warren secured for $160,000.

Show Stealer’s first foal is a 3yo Exceed And Excel filly with the Snowdens named Typecast and she was placed first-up at Hawkesbury during a short prep earlier this season.  “Jason trains the mare’s 2yo filly Conductress,” O’Brien added.  “She’s by Commands and Jason was keen to come back for the yearling on the strength of what she’s shown so far.”

The latest Lauriston Thoroughbreds bred galloper heading to Hong Kong is the Not A Single Doubt filly (ex Five Star Belle) that made $180,000 on Thursday.  She’s a three-quarter sister to Warren’s promising 2yo filly The Seductress who won again at Caulfield on Saturday.

Apollo Choice (Choisir) has showcased the Lauriston Thoroughbreds brand in Hong Kong and he came within a head of winning again at Sha Tin on Saturday.  He was placed in a G2 Sandown Guineas before heading off-shore to clients of David Hall.

The narrow loss didn’t knock the gloss off a wonderful week for the O’Brien family in Australia.  They celebrated 4 winners in just 3 days as Godavari (Mackay), Chiavari (Cranbourne), The Seductress (Caulfield) and Sette Bello (Mornington) kept the roll going from Friday to Sunday.

After the dust settled on a super start to the sale season, O’Brien’s buoyant mood mirrored the whole industry in his role as TBV President.  “The Gold Coast was exciting and the results were terrific,” he said.  “The VOBIS qualified lots attracted buyers up there and our vendors have a catalogue full of them coming up at Melbourne Premier.”

Brooke Verwey-Mitchell leads the Snitzel – Rapidement filly at the Magic Millions