Written by Paul Vettise
Bell River Thoroughbreds will return to the sale ring next year and among their offerings will be a half-brother to a current and in-form member of its racing team.
The Andrew and Georgie Ferguson-owned operation is the co-breeder and part-owner of Caulfield winner Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible), who was offered as a member of its draft to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2016.
That was the last year Bell River sold and ended up taking the filly home after she failed to meet her $150,000 reserve. It’s since been a result the family haven’t been disappointed with as Prophet’s Thumb is a stakes winner with Sunday’s success her fourth from 12 appearances.
“We didn’t want to give her away and we put a big reserve on her and she didn’t meet that price,” the Ferguson’s son James said. “We’ve still got Mum here and she was served by Not A Single Doubt on Sunday.”
“We’ve still got Mum here and she was served by Not A Single Doubt on Sunday.” – James Ferguson
The dam Set To Skelter (Hussonet {USA}) is a daughter of the Listed AJC Breeders’ Classic winner Miss Helterskelter (Brocco {USA}), who has also produced the Listed Bagot H. winner Module (Reset).
“We’ve heavily invested into the family and the Smart Missile 3-year-old has got ability and so has the 2-year-old by Hinchinbrook,” Ferguson said.
“We’ve also got an Extreme Choice colt sitting in the paddock and he will go to the sales next year.”
The G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Moir S. winner Extreme Choice, who now stands at Newgate Farm, was bred and sold by the Ferguson family with Mick Price signing for the colt for $100,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2015.
Newgate stallions Extreme Choice was bred and sold by the Ferguson family
New property
Bell River subsequently sold its Wellington property and is now developing a new 170 acre base in New South Wales at Dungog.
As well as his involvement with the family business, Ferguson runs his own bloodstock agency and is bloodstock and racing manager to Prophet’s Thumb’s Warwick Farm trainer David Pfeiffer.
“She’s certainly been a work in progress, not so much physically but mentally to where she is now,” he said. “She broke the track record in her second prep at Randwick and now won in her third, and we’re still probably a year away from seeing her at her best.
“She’ll go back to Caulfield for the Northwood Plume S. next and, if she runs well, will head toward the Nivison S. and the Redzel S. before we put her away.”
Gilgai excitement
Meanwhile, stablemate I Am Excited (I Am Invincible) will be in action for the Fergusons at Flemington this Saturday when she defends her G2 Gilgai S. title.
The 5-year-old, who also won the G2 Victory S. earlier this year at the expense of Redzel (Sniztel), recently resumed with a sound effort for seventh in the G2 Sheraco S.
I Am Excited
“We’re really happy with her, she’s flying. Her first-up run the track wasn’t ideal as the rail was out six metres and generally at Rosehill it’s very hard for them to run on,” Ferguson said.
“She loves Flemington and David said it’s the best he’s ever had her. All going well, she’ll then head toward The Everest consolation and the Redzel S. as well.”
