Ultra Thoroughbreds owner Sean Buckley hit the jackpot buying Miss Andretti out of WA and he came back for more with a successful $720,000 bid for More Aspen (USA) at the Inglis June Online Sale on Wednesday.
Perth owner-breeder Kim Doak had purchased More Aspen (More Than Ready) for $42,500 at the corresponding 2021 Inglis June Online Sale and her value sky-rocketed when her first foal King Colorado (Kingman) won the G1 J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm earlier this month.
Buckley bought 75% of Miss Andretti (Ihtiram) from WA owner-trainer David Mueller in March 2006 and she went on to amass $2.85 million following five Group 1 wins in Melbourne and the G2 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot which sealed Australian Horse of the Year honours in 2007.
“For More Aspen to have produced a Group 1 winner so early in her career is an unbelievable achievement so who knows how far she can go as a broodmare,” Buckley said. “She’s positive to Maschino and we will foal it down and then decide who we send her to next but there are plenty of options.”
Doak had commenced a memorable week last Sunday when he received a record-breaking $260,000 from Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker for the Pride Of Dubai – More Aspen yearling colt at the Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.
“It’s crazy, absolutely crazy, I don’t know what to say,” a delighted Doak told ANZ Bloodstock on Thursday. “I still can’t quite believe what’s just happened. You hear about these stories and hope that one day it might be you and today was our day.
“I’m totally grateful to Sinead [Flannery], Chris [Russell] and the entire Inglis team, the service has been incredible and has totally vindicated our decision to use the platform to sell this mare. For the last hour of the sale we were sitting at a restaurant watching it all unfold on an iPad as the bidding went up and up and up.”
Doak and Ascot trainer Luke Fernie are effectively in partnership and the Mt Pleasant owner now has upwards of 50 horses with the young Ascot horseman along with his father John and partner Maria Manfredini.
Hoofnote: Ultra Thoroughbreds has transferred promising stayer Distrustful Award (Shamus Award) to clients of Grant and Alana Williams. Former trainer Paul Preusker said the 3yo gelding makes the move to maximise the opportunities for stayers in WA.
Distrustful Award won a Mildura maiden earlier this season for Sean Buckley prior to a Group 3 placing in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in October.