Press Statement star at National Yearling Sale

Melbourne trainers Ciaran Maher and David Eustace took home another colt by Vinery sire Press Statement with a bid of $170,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on Thursday.

Labelled the star of its draft on the Gold Coast by Attunga Stud (Lot 2287), he’s a half-brother to this year’s Todman Stakes Gr.2 winner Yes Yes Yes.

Press Statement’s first crop have sold to $340,000 and another of his six-figure graduates was the colt from Night War (General Nediym) that cost Maher and Eustace $130,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale.

“He’s going through the system in Sydney,” Eustace said.  “(Assistant-trainer) Annabel Neasham has been very pleased with the way he’s handled things so far.”

Night War won a Group 2 in Perth and is a half-sister to Samaready (More Than Ready) who was a Group 1 winner of a Blue Diamond Stakes and Moir Stakes in Melbourne.  She foaled this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic RL winner Exhilarates.

Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa has been thrilled with the progress of his yearling filly by Press Statement.  “She’s a belter,” he said on Friday.  “And she was an absolute pro during her first day on the job.”

Costa’s youngster is from River Vixen (Hard Spun) and her second-dam River Express (Blazing Sword) is a half-sister to the dam of Vinery Stud stallion Headwater.

Headwater’s first yearlings were also on Costa’s shopping list at the National Sale.  The colt from Baluch (Hard Spun) is a close relation of this season’s Thousand Guineas Gr.1 winner Amphitrite and he made $70,000 on Wednesday.

Costa also bought a colt by Vinery sire Pluck (USA) for $50,000 on Friday.  His dam Mollycat (Catbird) has already foaled Doomben debut winner Let’s Party Marty.

Watch Michael Costa’s Press Statement – River Vixen filly here

A record-breaking National Sale for Team Hawkes was augmented by colts from Vinery sires Mossman ($170,000) and All Too Hard ($85,000).

Team Hawkes has sent Vinery colt Exceedance for a break after a widely-publicised first campaign that comprised a stunning debut win at Wyong in May and an even better performance when placed at Rosehill on June 1.

Exceedance reeled off blistering sectionals in the green and white silks at Rosehill after conceding eventual winner Splintex some 10 lengths at the top of the straight.  He went down a neck covering the final 600m in 32.21s and the last furlong in 10.63s – awesome splits for a colt second time out.

“He’s so good it’s scary,” jockey Tommy Berry claimed.  “He’s one of the nicest young horses I’ve ever ridden and could be anything.”

Sportsbet reacted by firming Exceedance into $17 for the Golden Rose Gr.1 at Rosehill in September behind $11 favourite Yes Yes Yes.

PRESS STATEMENT