Cover image courtesy of Darley
Written by Bren O'Brien
Darley and Magic Millions Online will auction from next Wednesday, July 28, the final nomination to triple Group 1-winning stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) to support The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Trust.
Too Darn Hot attracted a full book of 130 mares in his first year at stud in Australia in 2021 and the son of Dubawi (Ire), who stands at Darley's Kelvinside property in New South Wales at $44,000 (inc GST), is again full for 2021, apart from the nomination held open for CatWalk.
As part of a special Magic Millions Online Sale, which opens at 12pm (AEST) on Wednesday, July 28 and closes at 4pm (AEST) on Thursday, July 29, a nomination will be auctioned off to raise money to help fund spinal cord injury research and 'get ‘wheelies’ walking again'.
Watch: Too Darn Hot for CatWalk
CatWalk was founded in 2005 by Catriona Williams, formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders. Following a riding accident in 2002, she is now C6/C7 tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
“We’re delighted to offer, along with our partners at Watership Down Stud, the final nomination in Too Darn Hot for the upcoming 2021 breeding season, in support of CatWalk,” Godolphin Australia's Managing Director Vin Cox said.
“The access to this calibre of stallion per season is limited. He’s a Group 1 winner, by a Group 1 winner, out of a Group 1 winner, awarded Champion titles at two and three and covered an exceptional first book which included nine Group 1 winners, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Catriona Williams (white shirt) and the team from Making Strides | Image courtesy of CatWalk
Among Too Darn Hot's first book were the likes of G1 Blue Diamond S. winners Catchy (Fastnet Rock) and Earthquake (Exceed And Excel) and the dual Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor).
“I hope all breeders get behind us and dig deep for this cause in support of CatWalk and those affected by spinal cord injuries,” Cox said.
“I hope all breeders get behind us and dig deep for this cause in support of CatWalk and those affected by spinal cord injuries.” - Vin Cox
A similar sentiment was expressed by Madeleine Lloyd Webber, owner of Watership Down Stud, who bred and raced Too Darn Hot in England.
"I’m delighted to donate a Too Darn Hot nomination. As a former event rider myself it’s by the grace of God that I escaped serious injury and this wonderful initiative will help injured riders in their hour of need,” she said.
It is the fourth time that Darley has offered nominations to raise money for CatWalk, with Founder Catriona Williams, who runs Little Avondale Stud with her husband Sam, said the money raised will help fund important further research.
“My goal hasn’t changed and that is to dance with Sam again on my feet. Every wheelie has their goal and this Too Darn Hot service generously donated by Madeleine Lloyd Webber and Darley brings us one step closer to realising each and every wheelie’s goal via CatWalk’s backing of the very best worldwide cutting-edge research," she said.
"We are extremely proud of CatWalk’s association with Darley and thrilled to be alongside Watership Down with this auction. Backing winners is what we love and the odds of Too Darn Hot succeeding and CatWalk making a serious SCI breakthrough are not a matter of 'if' but ‘when’.”
Sam and Catriona Williams | Image courtesy of Little Avondale Stud
Meg Spiers, Catwalk's General Manager, also expressed her gratitude for the support which will assist in the funding of research and trials in Australia and New Zealand.
“The CatWalk Trust is delighted that the Too Darn Hot nomination has been donated to support ANZAC-led spinal cord injury research. Our long-time friends at Darley continue to be so supportive and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity,” she said.
“The proceeds from this sale will go towards world-class research in New Zealand, and also to a neurostimulation trial occurring at NeuRA in Sydney. The CatWalk Trust believes the need for the development of treatments being made available across Australia and New Zealand is critical to repairing the complex damage caused by a spinal cord injury.”
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said Magic Millions was delighted to facilitate the auction on its online platform.
Barry Bowditch
"It is an honour to host the online auction of the nomination to one of the most exciting stallions available to local breeders," Bowditch said.
"Congratulations to Darley and Watership Down Stud for providing the nomination and for supporting such a worthwhile cause.
"We encourage all breeders to register prior to the auction and dig deep to support a tremendous cause."
A previous auction saw a nomination to Brazen Beau purchased by Valachi Downs’ Kevin and Jo Hickman for NZ$100,000 at a charity function, with the resultant foal purchased as a yearling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for NZ$200,000 by Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
In 2020, a nomination to then first-season stallion Microphone was purchased for NZ$40,000 via Gavelhouse.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
