Darley Northwood Park’s first season sire Blue Point continued to make a huge impression at the Magic Millions, with his first crop of yearlings commanding some very competitive prices over the first two days of the sale.
The VOBIS Sires-nominated stallion is a newcomer to the Victorian breeding ranks, completing his first season at stud at Northwood following a career which yielded nine Stakes wins (four at Group 1); and his muscular progeny – combined with his extraordinary feats on the racetrack – have clearly caught the eye of some serious bidders on the Gold Coast.
Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, who sold their two Blue Point yearlings (lots 305 and 393) for in excess of $1 million, labelled him the most legitimate stallion to arrive in Australia this century.
That is high praise indeed but not without foundation, given the precocity he showed during a glittering career for Godolphin. Not only did Blue Point win 11 of his 20 starts, he claimed many of the sprint races in England that Australian breeders covet the most including a pair of victories in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot – the first in a quicker time than Nature Strip.
On the second day of the Magic Millions, his progeny fetched over $1.75 million with Lot 393, the Dorrington Farm-bred colt out of Sistonic, commanding the highest price when Ciaron Maher Eustace went to $750,000.
The stable’s bloodstock manager, Will Bourne, was very taken with the colt, saying: “He’s just a pure athlete.
“He covers the ground really well and just oozes quality. Ciaron loves it when they move their hind hocks and one leg is right under themselves, so this boy really caught the eye from the first time we saw him and we’re delighted to be taking him home with us.”
Earlier in the day, Moody Racing and Wylie Dalziel embarked on a Blue Point spending spree, splashing out a grand total of $560,000 on a pair of fillies.
Coincidentally, Crabtree sold his bay filly out of the Stakes-winning mare Rocket Commander (Lot 305) to Moody just 15 minutes before excitement machine Nunthorpe, racing in Dorrington’s distinctive red and white checks, scored her second straight win for the champion trainer.
“I really believe in Blue Point, he was an outstanding racehorse and won all the races that really matter to Australian breeders,” said Crabtree.
“The filly is a beautiful specimen, and she has the temperament to match. Obviously the colt sold for big money to Ciaron and David and we also have another mare in foal to Blue Point, so it’s exciting times for the farm and I really believe his progeny will go from strength to strength in the coming years.
“We were delighted with the price both yearlings fetched, and just as delighted they’ve both gone to outstanding trainers. Ciaron and David are only going to get bigger and better and Peter’s recent strike rate speaks for itself, plus it was very timely with Nunthorpe winning at Sandown!”
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