Month: January 2024

Seven-Figure Extreme Choice Colt ‘Life-Changing’ For Luke Wilkinson, As He Honours Jack De Bromhead

A colt by Extreme Choice (Aus) (lot 349), nicknamed “Jack” in honour of the late Jack de Bromhead, brought A$1.6 million on the bid of James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership during the second day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Jack de Bromhead was a son of leading Irish NH trainer Henry de Bromhead who died in a pony racing accident at the age of 13 in 2022. The colt, bred by Kia Ora Stud racing manager Luke Wilkinson who also was involved in the purchase of his sire and dam, is out of Wanted Lady (Aus) (Wanted {Aus}).

“We met young Jack de Bromhead at Jessica Harrington's place and spent a week with him,” breeder Luke Wilkinson told The Thoroughbred Report AusNZ of his 'life-changing' yearling and the reason behind his nickname. “I said to my wife that this kid was an absolute star and no matter what he did in life he was going to be good at it.

“That's why this horse got the name Jack. He's been a special horse to me and every time I think of this horse I think of young Jack de Bromhead. He was a great kid.”

“I purchased Extreme Choice and then got a lifetime breeding right, so he changed my career,” added Wilkinson. “I've always supported him and when he was subfertile I sent extra mares to help him, which nearly killed me financially.

“This mare was injured when I bought her off some stable clients when I worked for Mick Price, I think I paid around $9,000 for her. As soon as this horse was born Peter Orton said to me straight away within 10 minutes that this was a cracking colt, then everyone from Vinery seemed to ring me to say the same thing.

“This is life changing. I've got a young daughter who wants to go further in her equestrian career and now I'll be able to put a deposit on a farm and help her. It means a lot.”

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Line-Up Confirmed for TBA NH Stallion Showcase

Twelve sires will be on show in Doncaster during the Goffs UK January Sale on Tuesday, January 23 for the TBA National Hunt Stallion Showcase. The stallions will be available for viewing between 9am and 3pm.

Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist (GB) is new to Alne Park Stud this year and he will be joined at Doncaster by his stud-mates Dink (Fr), Ocovango (GB) and Midnights Legacy (GB). Also in attendance will be Ito (Ger), who is about to undertake his second season at Yorton Farm, and his fellow recent recruit Postponed (Ire).

Capri (Ire) is new to Britain and Willow Wood Farm for this season, and he is one of three St Leger winners who will be returning to Doncaster, along with Logician (GB) and Kingston Hill (GB). Completing the line-up are Telescope (Ire) and Dragon Dancer (GB).

“We look forward to welcoming breeding and bloodstock enthusiasts to this ever-popular event in the TBA hospitality space,” said TBA National Hunt Committee chairman Simon Cox. “We are thankful to Goffs and the participating stallion studs for their ongoing support of this important event for National Hunt breeders.”

Grace Skelton of Alne Park Stud added, “Getting a new stallion like Subjectivist in front of breeders is vitally important and this event provides a well-timed opportunity to do this.”

A nomination to each of the stallions which have been submitted to the 2024 Elite NH Mares' Scheme and those on show at the sale have been donated by their owners for an online silent auction between January 19 and 25. Funds raised will support the TBA's National Hunt activities in 2024.

The TBA will also be holding its annual Flat stallion parade at Tattersalls on February 1.

 

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In the Hot Seat: Luke Lillingston

Breeder, agent and syndicate manager Luke Lillingston of Mount Coote Stud is next in line to face the questions.

What are your goals for 2024?

Trying to figure out opportunities that will arise from the downturn in the bloodstock market, while trying to keep our heads above water.

Give us a horse to follow…

Dragon Leader (Ire) (El Kabeir) did us proud in 2023 winning over £300,000 as a two-year-old and should give his Kennet Valley owners plenty more fun.

And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…

Charlie Dee works with me in Lillingston Bloodstock and is steadily building a good reputation both at home and around the world which will stand him in good stead for a bright future.

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024?

Hello Youmzain (Fr).

And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France?

Naval Crown (GB), Mostahdaf (Ire) and Vadeni (Fr).

Your best buy/sale of 2023?

I was excited to buy True Scarlet (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) at the Tattersalls December sales as her half-sister Shuwari (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was second in the G1 Fillies' Mile and could be a contender for the 1,000 Guineas.  On the yearling front I couldn't pick one but I think the group of five yearlings we bought for Kennett Valley are the most exciting ever.

The best yearling/weanling you saw at the 2023 sales (that someone else bought)?

The St Mark's Basilica (Fr) filly out of Talent (GB), bought by Jill Lamb, was a deserving sale-topper at Tattersalls, and I believe still good value at 575,000gns.

Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred?

We have been and are all very lucky to witness the almighty Frankel (GB).

Biggest professional regret?

Not taking the opportunity to buy and bring back Sir Prancealot (Ire) from America to Ireland. He would have been an excellent sire for small breeders looking to afford a proven stallion.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

Nick Luck, but I might need four days to get through what he regularly achieves in one. His work rate is quite extraordinary.

 

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