Lot 962 Exceed and Excel x Miss Toorak Flyer (Image: Magic Millions / Rosemont)
The obvious strength and athleticism of Lot 962 persuaded renowned bloodstock agent Suman Hedge to part with $650,000 for Rosemont’s “jaw-dropping” colt as the curtain came down on Book 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Saturday night.
Having seen the horse he part-owns, Sydney Bowler, withdrawn from the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in dramatic circumstances earlier in the day Hedge took some solace from the purchase of the colt out of Miss Toorak Flyer, the Rosemont-owned mare who won four races for trainer Jason Warren.
Speaking after the hammer went down, Hedge paid tribute to Anthony Mithen’s operation – whose table he was bidding from – as he highlighted the quality of yearlings they presented in their draft this week.
“Rosemont know the family intimately which gave me a lot of confidence, and my vet Tom Brennan gave him a huge rap as well,” commented Hedge.
“I think sometimes you just get a feeling about a horse. The first time I saw him my jaw just dropped and I knew I had to have him.
“We had a lot of intelligence about the quality of the animal back home and he presented so well when he was here. I thought he was just an absolutely outstanding horse. He has incredible athleticism and quality, and he’s from a really good developing family.
“There’s already a Stakes horse in there, and another unraced horse that looks very, very promising. So for me it was a real priority to try and buy this horse, and I was really happy to get him.”
No sooner had Mithen and co. reaped the rewards of their hard work and dedication than they promptly splashed the cash on Lot 973, a Too Darn Hot colt bred by Rosemont’s neighbouring farm, Tony Santic’s Makybe operation.
Bought for $500,000 in partnership with Hedge, the colt will be trained by Peter Moody with a view to joining Rosemont’s stallion roster should his racetrack deeds match the opinion Mithen holds of him.
“We’ve bred to Too Darn Hot every year, so we’ve been a firm believer,” said the Rosemont Principal.
“We already have a nice two-year-old filly by Too Darn Hot in work with Annabel Neasham. So whilst it’s late in the sale and it looks as though I’m late to the party, we’ve been a firm believer in the stallion for some time.
“He’s a lovely horse out of a fast mare with a good pedigree, and the pedigree got an upgrade with the mare producing Captured By Love, a Group winner in New Zealand. So that gives you a bit of confidence plus I know how good a breeder Tony Santic is, and I know how good that land is to produce great racehorses on because the farm is right next door to ours!
“He’s a lovely horse, beautifully presented off a good farm and sold by a great consigner, so we are very pleased to be able to secure him.”
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