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Hill ‘N’ Dale Partners To Buy AU$1.7 Million Topper At Magics

There was an international flavor to the top lot through the ring on Friday's fourth session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in Australia, with Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Bruce Slade's Kestrel Thoroughbreds teaming up with Jes Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Farm and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) to secure a filly by I Am Invincible (Aus) for AU$1.7 million (US$1,140,479), as reported by The Thoroughbred Report.

The purchase represents the first foray into the Australian market for Hill 'n' Dale. The farm's Jes Sikura was one of a number of people high-fiving others on the Waterhouse- Bott table as a round of applause broke out in the Magic Millions auditorium moments after auctioneer Clint Donovan brought the gavel down.

Offered by Widden Stud, the filly is the first progeny of the G2 Tristarc S. winner Madam Rouge (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), who collected six victories on the track. Her grand dam, Cabernet (Aus) (Al Maher {Aus}) also enjoyed a sextet of successes, headlined by the Listed Summond S. The damline doesn't end there, with great-grandam Golden Weekend (Aus) (Nine Carat) a talented 2-year-old performer and a producer of three foals to race for as many winners.

Sikura was visibly delighted and was quick to thank Johnson, whose relationship with Hill 'n' Dale was pivotal in bringing the group of successful purchasers together. “We really didn't have too much intention to get involved in anything when we came over here, but I have to give complete credit to Will Johnson,” Sikura said. “He's always at the top of his game, he finds the nicest horses in every sale and it wouldn't have happened without him, especially without Gai and Adrian putting together such a good group.

“Being by I Am Invincible, she really ticked all the boxes and we thought if there was some point to get involved, she was the one to do it with.

Trent Needham, Antony Thompson, Noel Greenhalgh, Will Johnson, Jes Sikura, Adrian Bott, Barry Bowditch with Gai Waterhouse, Maria Greenhalgh and Patricia Bourke | Magic Millions

“They [the auctioneer] were definitely fighting for the AU$1.8 million up there and we were shaking a little bit, so we were happy to get it at AU$1.7 million. She was worthy of every dollar and we're excited for the future.”

“It's great to have Jes in Australia and it's great to have that international investment from downtown Kentucky,” Johnson said. “A massive thank you to John Sikura and his family and a massive thanks to Gai, Adrian and Bruce Slade for getting to work because, as we know, these are expensive fillies, so you have to be organized. It's exciting times ahead.”

The AU$1.7 million sale wrote another chapter in the story of Widden Stud and Madam Rouge, with the leading nursery having bred her, sold her as a yearling, retained a share in her to race and then bought out some of their partners to secure her from the Magic Millions National Broodmare sale for AU$2.7 million back in 2022.

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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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Group 1 Winner Sheeza Belter Hammers At 1.35 Million To Yulong At Magic Millions Virtual Auction

Group 1 winner Sheeza Belter (Aus) (Gold Standard {Aus}–Saxabelle {Aus}, by Saxon {Aus}) sold for A$1.35 million to Victoria's Highway Farm during a Magic Millions virtual auction hosted by auctioneer Clint Donovan on Thursday. Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong was buying as Highway Farm.

“It is a very nerve-wracking experience selling a horse around that level,” her original buyer and part owner Justin Warwick said. “I'm relieved that the process has been a success and I'm very happy to see where she is going and the opportunity she will have.”

Bred by Mt Hallowell Stud, the chestnut was an A$35,000 buy back before being sold to Warwick for A$50,000 out of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale in 2021. Put into training with trainer Luke Fernie, the filly would take her debut on New Year's Day in 2022. Transferred to Peter and Paul Snowden for all barring her last start, a listed race win followed two starts later and she ran third in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic. Successful in the G2 Sires Produce S. that May, the filly added the G1 J.J. Atkins that June. As a 3-year-old the filly would also add the G2 Hot Danish S. and run third in the G1 Coolmore Classic, and was retired in the care of Annabel Neasham in September with a mark of 14-5-1-2 and $1,279,661 in earnings at four.

“She has taken all of us on such a wonderful ride,” Warwick added. “When you buy a horse you dream of what might be to come.

“This girl delivered on that dream. She gave us so much joy on the racetrack and we are excited about her prospects for the next stage of her journey.

“One chapter of the book has now finished but the best thing is, she will get looked after so well and be given a chance with the best stallions in the world. Breeding is not what us part owners do, but we can now sit back and hope that her offspring go well and we can say we played a part in that.”

Out of the winning mare Saxabelle, Sheeza Belter is also related to group winners Special Reward (Aus) (Demerit {Aus}) and Showy Chloe (Aus) (Alfred Nobel {Ire}).

The virtual auction was the first of its kind for Magic Millions, and the sales company's managing director Barry Bowditch said, “I believe moving forward this is the most genuine and transparent way to sell horses outside of a large auction.

“We are delighted with the way today's auction played out and we look forward, when the right opportunity arises, to doing more of these in the future.

“Thanks to Justin and the ownership group for entrusting us to offer Sheeza Belter. We're proud to have a delivered a great result.”

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Coolmore Australia Secures Strawberry Hill Stud

by Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ

One of Australia's finest equine properties, Strawberry Hill Stud, is set to continue its role as an industry leader with the famed thoroughbred nursery purchased by Coolmore Australia for an undisclosed amount.

And they are very pleased to have done so with Tom Magnier telling The Thoroughbred Report, “You just don't see places like that anywhere in the world go on the market.”

“The facilities are top class, everything has been done to the highest of standards,” he said, adding that not much needs to be done at the Mount White farm–“It is already at a Coolmore standard!

“It is all down to John's passion, there is no farm like it in Australia–it is just an unbelievable property, and one with such great proximity to Sydney.”

Ideally located just 58km north of Sydney, Strawberry Hill was named in honour of Singleton's great galloper Strawberry Road (Aus) (Whiskey Road).

A horse who so famously travelled the world, adding to his four local Group 1 victories (the 1983 WS Cox Plate, the 1983 AJC Derby, the 1983 Queensland Derby and the 1983 Rosehill Guineas) another two overseas–the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.

“The first time we saw the farm we knew we had to have it,” Magnier said, adding that whilst exact plans are still being formulated for its use alongside Coolmore's current properties, it is likely that “by the end of this spring carnival we will have horses spelling there.”

A Historic Property

Magnier is not only excited to see Strawberry Hill become part of the Coolmore Australia story due to the advantages of the farm but also because of its history.

“It is a huge thing for Coolmore to be able to continue the legacy that John has built. It is a historic property that has the famous results on the board… it is truly one of the most iconic properties in Australia.”

One that has been built up over the decades with Tom respectful of the “time, effort and passion that John and his family have put into this farm.”

“It takes decades to develop a farm to this standard and the attention to detail was something we noticed from the minute we drove in,” he said.

Looking forward to the farm becoming “a world-class spelling farm for the best horses,” Magnier said that Coolmore had “searched for a long time to find the right place and it is a huge thrill to end up with Strawberry Hill.”

Singleton's Legacy Lives On

Singleton dispersed his considerable thoroughbred assets via a Magic Millions sale in late August, one which saw the likes of Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, the China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Bloodstock, Trilogy Racing, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Racing, Highway Farm (Yulong), Kingstar Farm and Kia Ora Stud secure quality bloodstock.

The sale saw 55 lots sell at a gross of A$15.497 million with the top-priced seller being the regally bred G2 Tea Rose S. winner Miss Fabulass (Aus) (Frankel {GB}), a daughter of the Australian Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Samantha Miss (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) who was knocked down for A$1.85 million to Highway Farm (Yulong).

Magic Millions' Managing Director Barry Bowditch is happy at the outcome, noting that “one of the most successful thoroughbred breeding and racing operations globally, Coolmore identified from first inspection that this property was world-class and that it was an opportunity not to be missed.”

“It is a fantastic outcome,” Bowditch said.

And Clint Donovan, Director of Donovan & Co, agreed.

“It has been a pleasure representing John Singleton and the Singleton Group in facilitating this substantial transaction in partnership with Magic Millions,” he said.

“Strawberry Hill Stud is the pinnacle of equine farms of its size nationwide–the love, heart and soul poured into the farm by John over a number of years was clearly evident to all that visited this magical property.

“The result of the Coolmore Australia purchase is a fitting next chapter for this incredible piece of the country.”

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