Bill Mitchell has purchased a number of outstanding gallopers on behalf of Segenhoe Stud owner Kevin Mahoney and, for sheer value, one of their favourites is Voodoo Lad.
Bought by Mitchell (FBAA) for just $36,000 at the 2013 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, he paid that back 12 months later in the $100,000 Inglis Challenge at White Park.
Fast-forward four years and the 6yo son of I Am Invincible sent his earnings past $1.17 million with a Group 3 victory in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
“That was a super run and he’s very hard to beat when fresh,” Mitchell told Aushorse on Monday. “I will have a talk to Darren (Weir) but a race like the Bletchingly Stakes in two weeks should suit him down to the ground.”
Voodoo Lad has been an incredibly consistent performer and aside from his black type victories, has also run second – beaten a neck – in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and second to Redkirk Warrior in the G1 Newmarket Hcp.
Meanwhile, another clear attraction for Mitchell in the selection of Voodoo Lad is that he’s one of 32 stakes winners for I Am Invincible, who is based at Yarraman Park – run by Mitchell’s brothers Arthur and Harry.
After commencing his career in the breeding shed at a fee of just $11,000, the cost of entry to I Am Invincible this season has risen to $192,500.
“Voodoo Lad is from the first crop of I Am Invincible and naturally I had been taking a close look at his progeny from very early on,” Mitchell explains. “I thought the $36,000 was excellent value then and, given what’s happened since, I’m not about to change my mind.”
Voodoo Lad is the final foal of Gilded Time mare O’Fortuna who is closely related to Champion Group 1 sprinter Schillaci. She has produced four winners from as many to race.
Maloney has invested significantly in developing Segenhoe Stud since buying the historic property in 2010. Besides Voodoo Lad, his red and yellow silks have been worn by Bound For Earth (G2 Furious Stakes), Ninth Legion (G2 Villiers Stakes) and 2yo filly Granny Red Shoes, a dual stakes winner at the recent Brisbane winter carnival.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) 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.
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VOODOO LAD
Natasha Morello / Racing Photos