Written by Paul Vettise
An untimely injury for a weanling purchase proved costly for a New Zealand father and son pinhooking team, but at least they can take credit for sourcing a high-profile prospect for the $15 million The Everest.
John and Mark Corcoran bought the G1 Lightning S. winner Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) for $70,000 out of Glastonbury Farms’ draft at the Inglis Great Southern Sale with the intention of on-selling for a tidy profit.
However, their hopes took a hit when Gytrash got hurt and opinions were later divided as to which auction the youngster might be best placed at.
“We got him home here, but he fractured a splint bone just below the hock and ended up with quite a big lump,” said Mark Corcoran, who with wife Jane operates Grangewilliam Stud the home of Group 1 producer Zed (NZ). “The vets said it would never be a problem though.
Gallery: Gytrash as a yearling and foal
“I wanted to keep him for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, I just loved him. He was booked to go to the Melbourne Sale and the old man wanted to sell him there.
“I was gutted and by then they hadn’t really copped on to the Lope De Vegas and between Melbourne and the Ready to Run they really took off with the likes of Santa Ana Lane.”
Gytrash was subsequently put through Luke and Mags Andrews’ Maluka Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and was snapped up by trainer Gordon Richards for $40,000.
“It was quite a nasty fracture and it left an ugly lump and was probably a bit off-putting. The vets said it would never worry him and they were right,” Corcoran said.
“It was quite a nasty fracture and it left an ugly lump and was probably a bit off-putting.” – Mark Corcoran
“We were a bit disappointed Inglis put him in Book 2 at Melbourne as well – if he wins The Everest maybe Inglis will pay us the difference!”
Gytrash has won nine of his 20 races and his latest success in the G3 Concorde S. on Saturday took his earnings beyond $1.3 million and is now second favourite for The Everest for slotholder Inglis.
“He was an outstanding type and we didn’t have much success with him, but at least we’ve got some bragging rights to him I suppose,” Corcoran said.
His father John formerly operated Maranui Farm where he stood champion sire War Hawk II (USA) and then purchased Grangewilliam Stud from the estate of Captain Tim Rogers, whose family own Airlie Stud in Ireland.
Mark Corcoran with Derryn
Grangewilliam has been home to Group 1 producers Standaan (Fr), Yachtie, Al Akbar, Brilliance (USA), Stark South (USA) and Yachtie and in more recent times Zed.
“The property has a very good record of producing very good horses. Ian Parsons bred the G1 Caulfield Cup winner Silver Bounty and the 3-year-old Filly of the Year Sweet Offer before he sold it to the late Captain Tim Rogers,” John Corcoran said.
“Doriemus, who won the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup, was bred here and multiple Group 1 winner Happyanunoit. Apollo Run won the G2 Craiglee S. and was fourth in a Caulfield Cup and now Verry Elleegant.”
“Doriemus, who won the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup, was bred here and multiple Group 1 winner Happyanunoit... and now Verry Elleegant.” – John Corcoran
Zed, the sire of top-class mare Verry Elleegant (NZ), now stands alongside Hinchinbrook’s Group 2-winning son Derryn, whose first yearlings will be sold next year.
“Zed is flying and he’s got another good one in Herengawe. His run for third in the G3 Premier’s Cup was huge so Chris Waller has got two very good Zeds, which won’t do us any harm,” Mark Corcoran said.
“Everyone who has seen the Derryns loves them. I had Dean Hawthorne here the other day and he said you would have to be happy with that line of yearlings, he’s really stamping them. He bought Derryn as a yearling and he was rapt with them.”
However, under the dark shadow of COVID-19 like many he is taking a cautious approach to next year’s sale.
“It’s going to be a hard season, it’s tough out there. I think we’ll have eight in Book 1 and 22 or 23 all up,” Corcoran said. “I was very optimistic, but we’ll just have to wait and see and hope for the best.”
