Written by Oz Wedmore
At the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, TDN AusNZ has found a 'value buy', where an opportunity has been spotted - even in this hot sale market.
Lot 1113 - Gremlin (NZ), by Savabeel x Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio) - B: Cornerstone Stud/Seymour Bloodstock, $140,000 V: Godolphin
Tough wait proves worthwhile for Pritchard-Gordon
Testament to the unrelenting strength of the market on the final day of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Sam Pritchard-Gordon found himself chuckling in a way one might after mild despair has turned to relief. “There were 30 horses that we did our homework on and we’ve picked up one,” he said. “I’m flabbergasted that one of the Kiwis didn’t buy her actually.”
Having come to the Sale with the intention of updating the broodmare band at Cornerstone Stud, Pritchard-Gordon found the competition from buyers tough but still managed to find a value buy. In complimenting his purchase he said: “She was a 15.3hh quality mare who was a $750,000 yearling, a typical Savabeel with a beautiful head and had the Oratorio depth of girth and substance.”
Lot 1113 - Gremlin (NZ) (Savabeel) was bought by Cornerstone Stud/Seymour Bloodstock for $140,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He added: “She might have been a bit weak through her gaskin and have only an okay walk but all round she was a beautiful mare.”
Having expected strong interest from Kiwi buyers, Pritchard-Gordon was surprised when the bidding stopped where it did. “I thought when I went to $140,000 that I’d have to go again to $160,000 and thought she’d end up making $200,000.”
Falling through the cracks
When reflecting on it later however, he noted that by dint of an unexciting race record and having already had two foals, the oldest of which is just a yearling, the mare may have fallen between the cracks of other buyers’ shortlists. He explained: “I suspect that with two Epaulettes to come through for her means she wasn’t classed as exposed but also missed the bracket of being a young mare.”
“I suspect that with two Epaulettes to come through for her (Gremlin) means she wasn’t classed as exposed but also missed the bracket of being a young mare.” - Sam Pritchard-Gordon
A conversation with Godolphin Australia’s Andy Makiv proved worthwhile, he said. “The 2021 Epaulette was a beautiful colt apparently, Andy Mackiv steered me into the mare because of that.”
When asked about which stallion she might visit next, Pritchard-Gordon said: “Pilko (Mark Pilkington of Seymour Bloodstock) bought half the mare with us and he’s pretty shrewd so I think we’ll work out together what to do with her.”
