Vinery colt best on sale-grounds at Gold Coast

Vinery Stud’s Day 1 consignment to the Gold Coast Magic Millions averaged another year-on-year increase to $416,600 on Tuesday.

A Fastnet Rock colt (Lot 87), described as “the best on the sale-grounds”, topped the draft when targeted by leading Queensland owner Ron Wanless for $600,000.  The colt is from Sydney winner Madame Lily (More Than Ready) who is a three-quarter sister to VRC Victoria Derby (Gr.1, 2500m) winner Benicio (More Than Ready).

“I inspected him three times at Vinery and like everything about him,” Wanless said.  “I reckon he’s the best yearling here and is a dead-ringer for Fastnet Rock.  And I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on and makes a stallion, too.”

Earlier in the opening session, Emirates Park paid $440,000 for the filly by Vinery sire Star Turn from Sydney winner Joyful Journey (Lot 15).  She’s a half-sister to Flemington winner Grand Pope (More Than Ready) and Emirates Park manager Brian Carlson indicated she will be trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

“Star Turn is doing a tremendous job at stud and we particularly liked this filly on type,” he said.  “She ticks all the boxes physically and is really well-bred, too.”

Emirates Park has a Group 1 link with Vinery through ATC Golden Slipper winner Mossfun.  A daughter of Vinery sire Mossman, she had an I Am Invincible colt (Lot 153) sell to Team Hawkes for $1.65million on Tuesday.  Mossfun’s daughter Tumooh (Fastnet Rock) also has an I Am Invincible colt (Lot 504) from Emirates Park for sale on Thursday.

Vinery’s grey filly by Deep Field from Miss Dusty (Lot 125) was purchased by Double R Thoroughbreds for $210,000.  She’s the first foal of a NZ-bred mare by Reliable Man who won four races in Singapore and is closely related to Pepperwood (Doomben Classic Gr.3 & Bernborough Hcp LR-twice).

“She wasn’t on our initial list but seeing her here changed that,” Double R part-owner Scott Rossow explained and added she will be trained by Joe Pride.  “She’s a beautiful filly and, what’s more. we got her at the right price.”

Vinery’s Day 1 average of $416,600 improved its overall Magic Millions mark in recent years of $302k (2022), $276k (2021) and $210k (2020).