Cover image courtesy of Fernrigg Farm
One of the most glaring features of the first two sales of 2023 is that Too Darn Hot’s (GB) progeny are incredibly popular.
The Darley shuttler made his Southern Hemisphere debut at last month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and the results were quite remarkable. He had 14 yearlings gross $3,875,000 at an average of $276,786 and Lot 828 – a filly from the Vinery Stud draft – made $1 million.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
Then, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), Too Darn Hot’s aggregate was a super impressive NZ$1,260,000, with Lot 294 – a colt from the Trelawney Stud consignment – fetching NZ$750,000 – the second-top lot of the sale.
With those results in mind, Rae-Louise Kelly, the co-principal of Fernrigg Farm, is understandably excited to have two yearlings by Too Darn Hot in their 19-member draft for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables.
“Too Darn Hot is always a horse we’ve loved and when we heard he was coming to Australia, we jumped straight on the bandwagon.”
“Too Darn Hot is always a horse we’ve loved and when we heard he was coming to Australia, we jumped straight on the bandwagon.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
“We bred a couple and bought a couple, as well.
“They’re just really athletic types, fast-looking, great attitudes, so we’re really excited to get them down there (to Warwick Farm).”
Rae-Louise, who runs Fenrrigg Farm in partnership with husband, Padraig Kelly, said she isn’t surprised by Too Darn Hot’s popularity.
“We were always hoping they would be well-received; obviously, he was such an exceptional racehorse and Australia knows speed and a good stallion when one comes around,” Kelly explained.
“We were always hoping they would be well-received; obviously, he (Too Darn Hot) was such an exceptional racehorse and Australia knows speed and a good stallion when one comes around.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
Fernrigg Farm’s first yearling by Too Darn Hot to go through the sales ring at Riverside Stables will be Lot 512 – a colt from the winning mare Justice Glory (Fastnet Rock) - a sister to the Group 2 winner Tuscan Queen. His second dam is the Group 3 victress Tavarnelle (Zabeel {NZ}).
“He is very typical of Dubawi (Too Darn Hot’s sire). If you were to look at him and I told you he was by Dubawi, you would believe it,” Kelly commented.
“He has got that typical short back, a big solid hindquarter, he’s an unbelievable mover with a Dubawi head.”
“He (Lot 512) has got that typical short back, a big solid hindquarter, he’s an unbelievable mover with a Dubawi head.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
The colt was pinhooked by Ferrnrigg Farm, Avesta Bloodstock and Rathmore Bloodstock from the Widden Stud draft for $40,000 at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Lot 528 is a grey filly from a half-sister to the Listed winner Specter (Nadeem), the Choisir mare La Llorona. Her third dam is the G1 Irish One Thousand Guineas heroine Nicer (Ire) (Pennine Walk {GB}).
“She’s a big, strong filly; the mare really stamps them,” said Kelly.
“She’s a grey and everybody wants a grey to race.
“She’s correct, balanced, fast-looking and what we were hoping for when we bred the mare to him.”
Gallery: Fernrigg Farm's yearlings by Too Darn Hot (GB) to be offered at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, images courtesy of Inglis
First-crop sires feature prominently
Fernrigg farm will also offer two yearlings by Pierata, one by Yes Yes Yes and one by Super Seth.
Pierata – a resident at Aquis Farm in Queensland – also made a huge impression on the Gold Coast in January, with 27 yearlings grossing $6,885,000 at an average of $255,000. His colt from the Segenhoe Stud draft out of multiple Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) made $800,000.
Lot 323 is a Pierata filly from the 1100-metre winner Childhood Secret (NZ) (Charge Forward) and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed victor Vinland (Sebring). The filly’s grandam is the Listed winner Viking Turf Belle (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Lot 623 is another Pierata filly, and she is the first foal out of the four-time winner Mouquet (Viscount), who was stakes-placed. Black-type winners featuring on her page include Aphasia (Orojoya {USA}) and Defame (Delville Wood {GB}).
“She is a beautiful filly and what she lacks in pedigree she definitely makes up for in physical,” Kelly explained.
“She (Lot 623) is a beautiful filly and what she lacks in pedigree she definitely makes up for in physical.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
“She is just beautifully balanced and ticks all the boxes. When you pull her out, she’s just got so much presence about her.
“She’s probably the racehorse of the draft for me.”
Yes Yes Yes, who stands at Coolmore Stud, had 23 yearlings average $176,478 on the Gold Coast.
Fernrigg Farm will offer Lot 389 – a Yes Yes Yes colt from the Listed winner Electric Light (Vital Equine {Ire}). This is her first foal.
“This colt is for a good client, Graham Bax, and most people will know he can breed a good racehorse,” Kelly said.
“He is strong, correct, has a big action and just a really nice colt.”
Gallery: More of Fernrigg Farm's yearlings by first-season sires, images courtesy of Inglis
The progeny of Super Seth, who stands at Waikato Stud, have been well sought-after, both at Magics and Karaka. His seven yearlings sold in Queensland averaged $231,429, while in New Zealand, he had 33 yearlings sell from Book 1 at an average of NZ$160,758.
Fernrigg Farm will present Lot 678 – the lone Super Seth yearling in the sale. The colt is out of the winless Pins mare Poppy O’Neill (NZ). and she herself is a half-sister to the Group 2 victress She Will Be Loved (Strategic) and the stakes performers Thorn Dancer (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Mya (Desert King {Ire}).
“We’re very excited to sell him, being the only Super Seth in the catalogue,” Kelly remarked.
“He’s another one for Graham Bax that’s come over from New Zealand.
“I’m very impressed with the physical that he is and he has a great attitude and has been easy to prepare for this sale.”
“I’m very impressed with the physical that he (Lot 678) is and he has a great attitude and has been easy to prepare for this sale.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
A history of Classic Sale success
The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale has been somewhat of a happy hunting ground for Fernrigg Farm in recent years, and Kelly is confident 2023 will be no different.
“We’ve got some nice horses and it’s the biggest draft we’ve had to date, so it’s quite exciting,” said Kelly.
“We’ve got some nice horses and it’s the biggest draft we’ve had to date, so it’s quite exciting.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
Last year, they finished with a 100 per cent clearance and had a Written By colt make $200,000.
Twelve months earlier, Fernrigg Farm sold eight yearlings, including a Nicconi colt for $200,000.
In 2020, they sold 14 yearlings, with their Pierro colt from Sort After (Wanted) fetching $110,000.
Rae-Louise and Padraig Kelly
Kelly said: “The Classic Sale is always a sale where people go to find a racehorse. They look at everything, they won’t just come and pull out certain horses. People don’t just go for a pedigree, they go to find a type, as well.
“Over the years we’ve had some really good results there with really good physicals.”
