Cover image courtesy of Inglis
We have already seen a number of talented 2-year-olds this season - think Barber (Exceed And Excel) and King's Gambit (I Am Invincible) - and there’s no doubt plenty of good ones will be unearthed over the coming weeks, as the build up to the country’s biggest juvenile races intensifies.
All eyes will be on the Gold Coast on January 14 for the $2 million R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, before attention turns to Caulfield soon after for the G3 Blue Diamond Previews. Then, it’s the big one, the time-honoured G1 Golden Slipper S., which carries a prize purse of $5 million and will be run at Rosehill on March 18.
Ahead of the juvenile features and their respective key lead-up races, here’s a look at the highest-priced yearlings from 2022.
Kandinsky Abstract (Zoustar x Solar Charged {Charge Forward})
Price: $3,000,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Widden Stud
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Widden Stud, Qatar Bloodstock and Jorshan Investments
The most expensive yearling sold in Australia in 2022 has been named Kandinsky Abstract, presumably after Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky, who is credited as one of the pioneers of abstraction in western art.
Trained by Chris Waller, the colt, who is a brother to multiple Group 1 heroine Sunlight, as well as Group 3 winner Sisstar, is yet to make an appearance at the trials.
Kandinsky Abstract as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
He holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Widden Stud will offer Kandinsky Abstract’s sister (Lot 399) at next year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Snitzel x Response (Charge Forward)
Price: $2,250,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Arrowfield Stud and Jungle Pocket
This yet-to-be-named colt is from a dual Group 1 winner and is a brother to G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Estijaab.
Trained by Chris Waller, he holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Snitzel x Response (colt) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Snitzel x Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA})
Price: $2,200,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: Hawkes Racing
Breeder: Arrowfield Stud and Jungle Pocket
This unnamed filly is the second foal from the Group 1-winning sprinter Silent Sedition, making her a sister to Ringleader, who is an unraced 3-year-old with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, this filly holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Snitzel x Silent Sedition (filly) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
I Am Famous (I Am Invincible x Pinocchio {Encosta De Lago})
Price: $2,000,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Tyreel Stud
Buyer: The Yellow Brick Road Company and Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)
Breeder: Wallings Bloodstock
A half-sister to 2020 The Everest champion Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Group 2 winner Aethero (Sebring), this filly has been named I Am Famous.
She is trained by Chris Waller and races for The Yellow Brick Road Company.
I Am Famous is yet to make an appearance at the trials and has been nominated for the G1 Golden Slipper S.
I Am Famous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Suspect (I Am Invincible x Suspicieuse {Fr} {Elusive City {USA}})
Price: $1,900,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Newgate Farm
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Love Racing, Belinda Bateman, Doyles Breeding and Racing and Philip Mehrten Atf The Mig Equine Trust
Another 2-year-old with Chris Waller, this colt will race under the name Suspect.
The colt is a half-brother to Group 2 winner-turned-sire Dubious, as well as 3-year-old, the Tony Gollan-trained Dystopian (Russian Revolution), who was unplaced at his only start
Suspect hasn’t been seen at the trials to this point and he has been nominated for the Diamond and the Slipper.
Suspect as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Kundalini (I Am Invincible x Ruud Awakening {Bernardini {USA}})
Price: $1,700,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Newgate Farm
Buyer: James Harron Bloodstock
Breeder: Go Bloodstock
This filly, who hasn’t trialled as yet, has been named Kundalini and will race in John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds silks.
She is a half-sister to 3-year-old Rise Of The Masses (Russian Revolution), who won the G3 Pago Pago S. in March.
Trained out of Warwick Farm by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Kundalini holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Kundalini as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Dundeel (NZ) x Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire})
Price: $1,700,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: Hawkes Racing
Breeder: Arrowfield Stud, Planette Thoroughbred and Belford Productions
Still unnamed, this Team Hawkes-trained filly is from the G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}) and is a half-sister to Listed victress Waltz On By (I Am Invincible). Her grandam is the champion Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice), who notched five Group 1 triumphs during her glittering career.
The filly holds a nomination for the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Dundeel (NZ) x Stay With Me (filly) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Unquestionably (Not A Single Doubt x Miss Admiration {Sebring})
Price: $1,700,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Segenhoe Stud
Buyer: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and TFI
Breeder: Segenhoe Stud
This colt is the first foal of a Group 3-winning, Group 1-placed mare.
He has been named Unquestionably and he has gone to the Warwick Farm stables of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Unquestionably as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Among the ownership group is Widden Stud, Rifa Mustang, TFI and Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia.
Unquestionably, who hasn’t trialled, is nominated for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Charm Stone (I Am Invincible x Najoom {Northern Meteor})
Price: $1,550,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Emirates Park
Buyer: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA)
Breeder: Emirates Park
This filly races as Charm Stone and is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Charm Stone has been to the races on two occasions and, after finishing third on debut at Flemington, the filly won the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
Connections have opted to bypass the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, instead opting to keep the filly in Melbourne to tackle the Blue Diamond series.
“I think it’s very, very hard to train a Magic Millions winner out of Victoria, the record would say that,” managing owner, Sheamus Mills, recently told Racing.com.
“There has been two trained out of South Australia in the last 20 years and that’s been it; Augusta Proud and Sunlight.
“Sunlight had a couple of runs that way and was a very high-class horse.
“I’d pray that Charm Stone might be as good as Sunlight, but you have to be realistic, and to win a Magic Millions out of Victoria is a very difficult thing.”
“I’d pray that Charm Stone might be as good as Sunlight, but you have to be realistic, and to win a Magic Millions out of Victoria is a very difficult thing.” - Sheamus Mills
Charm Stone is also nominated for the G1 Golden Slipper S. and tab.com.au has her at $51.
Idhana (I Am Invincible x Egyptian Symbol {Stratum})
Price: $1,500,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Cressfield
Breeder: Cressfield
Buyer: Kia Ora Stud, TFI and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock
The first foal of the dual Group 3 winner has been named Idhana and will be trained at Warwick Farm by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
He will race in Aquis’ silks (aqua, black checked band and armbands, checked cap).
Yet to be seen at the trials, Idhana has been nominated for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the Slipper.
Idhana as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pasima (Pierro x Ravi {Redoute's Choice})
Price: $1,500,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Kia Ora Stud
Buyer: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock
Breeder: Kia Ora Stud
This son of a Group 3-winning mare has been named Pasima and is with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace at Warwick Farm.
Colin McKenna is a part-owner and the colt will race in his famous silks (royal blue, lime hoops, hooped cap), worn to Group 1 glory by Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Other owners include Dorrington Farm and Kia Ora Stud.
Pasima as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pasima is yet to be seen at the trials and he is eligible for the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. The colt is nominated for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
A half-brother by I Am Invincible will be offered by Kia Ora Stud as Lot 280 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Cap Ferrat (Snitzel x C'Est Beau La Vie {Bernardini {USA}})
Price: $1,400,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Arrowfield Stud and Belford Productions
Chris Waller trains this colt, which has been named Cap Ferrat.
He is the third foal of a Listed-winning mare and his unraced 3-year-old sister, Eau De Vie, is with Richard and Will Freedman.
The colt, who hasn’t trialled as yet, holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Cap Ferrat as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Oistrach (Written Tycoon x Gracie's Lass {Redoute's Choice})
Price: $1,400,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Vinery Stud
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Mr GJ Perry
Another beautifully bred juvenile for Chris Waller, this colt goes by the name Oistrach.
The colt is a half-brother to G1 Blue Diamond S. hero Artorius (Flying Artie) and is closely related to Group 1 winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}).
He is yet to make an appearance at the trials.
Oistrach has been nominated for the G1 Blue Diamond S., as well as the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Oistrach as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Head Of The Herd (Snitzel x Purely Spectacular {NZ} {Pins})
Price: $1,400,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Go Bloodstock, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds
Breeder: G S A Bloodstock
Head Of The Herd is the name of this colt and he is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Randwick for Sir Owen Glenn.
He is a half-brother to Group 1 winner-turned sire Stratum Star, as well as the dual Group 3-winning sire Prague.
Head Of The Herd has trialled on two occasions, winning his first at Randwick on October 10 by 0.14l, before placing third at Rosehill on October 21.
The colt has been nominated for the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Casablanca (Snitzel x Rising Romance {NZ} {Ekraar {USA}})
Price: $1,400,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: TFI and Kia Ora Stud Pty Limited
Breeder: Arrowfield Stud and Jungle Pocket
This son of a Group 1-winning mare is a brother to G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Yearning and has been named Casablanca.
Casablanca is prepared at Rosehill by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou and they are yet to send him to the trials.
Casablanca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He’s a little bit behind where we would like him to be, but he had a mishap on the training track – he cut a knee - which set him back with regards to his education. We had to back right off him and stitch it,” Alexiou told TDN AusNZ.
“I would say he will come into his as a late 2-year-old or even a spring 3-year-old.”
The colt holds a nomination for the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Andronicus (I Am Invincible x Fireworks {Snitzel})
Price: $1,350,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Buyer: James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership
Vendor: Segenhoe Stud
Breeder: Fairway Thoroughbreds
Peter and Paul Snowden train this colt, who has been named Andronicus.
“Andronicus has just returned, he’s just come back in on Monday after having a spell,” Colum McCullagh, racing and bloodstock Manager at Snowden Racing, told TDN AusNZ.
Andronicus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Being an Easter yearling, he was a bit behind the others.
“He’s a nice horse going forward; quite a bit athletic, scopey horse.
“He wasn’t going to be pushed early for the October trials and races, so we’ll be seeing him hopefully after Christmas. If he’s good enough, he might get himself into the Inglis Millenium (on February 4) or something like that.”
“He (Andronicus) wasn’t going to be pushed early for the October trials and races... If he’s good enough, he might get himself into the Inglis Millenium (on February 4) or something like that.” - Colum McCullagh
His dam won the G3 Widden S. in 2015 and Andronicus is a half-brother to Listed winner Millane (Zoustar).
Andronicus will race in James Harron’s colours (dark green, gold epaulettes) and the colt, who hasn’t trialled to date, has been nominated for the Slipper.
Madeira (Snitzel x Sweet Sherry {Bel Esprit})
Price: $1,350,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Silverdale Farm
Buyer: Badgers Bloodstock and Glentree Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Grant Bloodstock and Carpe Diem Asset Management
Another one for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, this filly goes by the name Madeira and she is eligible for the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The filly is the first foal of a Group 2 winning-mare and races for Glentree Thoroughbreds.
Madeira as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She’s spelling now, she’s been in and out several times, just going through the educational processes and learning routines at Ciaron and David’s. She won’t be too far from going back into work,” Luke Simpson, stud manager at Glentree Thoroughbreds, told TDN AusNZ.
Simpson said January’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic will come up too soon for Madeira.
“She is reasonably tall now and we’re giving her due time to grow into herself without pushing her too early,” he explained.
“She (Madeira) is reasonably tall now and we’re giving her due time to grow into herself without pushing her too early.” - Luke Simpson
Madeira hasn’t been to the trials and is nominated for the G1 Golden Slipper S.
The filly has a half-sister by Exceed And Excel that will be offered by Silverdale Farm as Lot 452 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Schimmelbusch (Zoustar x Pirapala {Sepoy})
Price: $1,300,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Sledmere Stud
Buyer: Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock
Breeder: China Horse Club Racing
Schimmelbusch is the name of this colt, who is prepared at Cranbourne by Peter Moody.
“He is back in pre-training at the moment, he’ll be back in the main stable very shortly,” Katherine Coleman, assistant trainer at Moody Racing, told TDN AusNZ.
“He seems a horse with nice ability and we’re hoping to get to a jump-out this preparation and see where we get to.”
“He (Schimmelbusch) seems a horse with nice ability and we’re hoping to get to a jump-out this preparation and see where we get to.” - Katherine Coleman
Schimmelbusch is the second foal of a two-time winner, and his 3-year-old half-brother, Firebird Two (Russian Revolution), was unplaced on debut at Newcastle on November 15.
The colt is closely related to Group 1 winner Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) and Listed victress Celebrity Girl (Starcraft {NZ}).
Untrialled, Schimmelbusch is Magic Millions eligible and holds nominations for both the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Schimmelbusch as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Madam Roselyn (Not A Single Doubt x Presque Isle {Jpn} {Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}})
Price: $1,250,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Filly
Vendor: Arrowfield Stud
Buyer: John O’Shea
Breeder: Arrowfield Group and Jungle Pocket
John O’Shea trains this filly, which has been named Madam Roselyn.
She is the third foal of a 2000-metre winner in Japan, who is related to Group 1 winner-turned sire Mikki Isle (Jpn).
Madam Roselyn | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Madam Roselyn, who races in Ron Finemore’s silks (white, red quarters, black striped sleeves), ran second at her only trial, which was at Randwick-Kensington on November 8. The winner of the trial was Blanc De Blanc (I Am Invincible), who won on debut at Newcastle on Sunday.
The filly is nominated for the G1 Blue Diamond S and G1 Golden Slipper S.
Northern Eyes (Zoustar x Sexy Eyes {Written Tycoon})
Price: $1,250,000
Sale: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Milburn Creek
Buyer: Tom Magnier
Breeder: Iskander Racing Syndicate
Northern Eyes is the name of this colt, who is trained by Chris Waller at Rosehill.
He is the first foal of a Group 3-winning mare, who is a half-sister to Listed victress Tina Melina (Jet Spur).
Northern Eyes hasn’t trialled to this point and is nominated for the G1 Blue Diamond and Slipper.
Northern Eyes as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Schwarz (Zoustar x Summer Sham {Not A Single Doubt})
Price: $1,250,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Widden Stud
Buyer: Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock
Breeder: Widden Stud Australia, Qatar Bloodstock, Halatex and Mr J Dimery
Trained by John O’Shea, this colt has been named Schwarz.
He is the second foal of a three-time winner, who scored in Group 2 company.
Schwarz hasn’t been seen publicly and is nominated for the Slipper.
Schwarz as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Mach Ten (Exceed And Excel x Devious Rumour {USA} {Street Boss {USA}})
Price: $1,200,000
Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Sex: Colt
Vendor: Fernrigg Farm
Buyer: James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership
Breeder: Fernrigg Farm
This colt is the Michael Freedman-trained Mach Ten, who finished second on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick in October.
The colt, who is from a Listed scorer in the US, won a Canterbury trial earlier this week in good style.
Mach Ten winning a Canterbury trial earlier this week | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Mach Ten is a $34 chance for the Slipper with tab.com.au and he is also nominated for the Diamond.
