Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Following the conclusion of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on Wednesday, the sale company facilitated an unreserved reduction for Tony Fung Investments (TFI).
The sale boasted 20 lightly raced and untried colts and geldings, as well as one stallion - Performer - who stood for four seasons at Aquis Farm in Queensland.
Top trainer Annabel Neasham spent a total of $278,000 on five horses she already trains, including Rimbaud (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who shared top billing for the sale with Fearless Knight (Lonhro). The latter is off to Hong Kong after being purchased by Wai Yin Li/James Moore Racing.
Rimbaud - a 2-year-old colt - has placed third twice from four outings.
Lot 1915 - Rimbaud | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He is from Munees Gemini (Ire) (Australia {GB}) - a placegetter at two in Ireland and half-sister to, among others, the Group 2 victress Bauble Queen (USA) (Arch {USA}) - the dam of the Group 3 winner Blitzkrieg (USA) (War Front {USA}).
Neasham also paid $80,000 for Thorpe (Fastnet Rock) - a two-time winner, $36,000 for the winless Desert Safari (Pride Of Dubai), $18,000 for the unraced 2-year-old Controller (Extreme Choice) and $14,000 for the unraced juvenile Nasty Streak. (Capitalist).
Local owner Peter Wigham was the only other buyer of multiple lots; he handed over a combined $23,000 for Lissaro (Lonhro) and Coney Island Baby (Invader). The former made $12,000, while the latter realised $11,000.
Fearless Knight, meanwhile, is a 3-year-old who was trained by Kacy Fogden.
Lot 1907 - Fearless Knight | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The gelding won his maiden at the Sunshine Coast in March and boasts a record of one victory and four placings from 13 starts.
Fearless Knight is out of Typhoon Tess (Redoute’s Choice) who was placed as a 3-year-old and is a half-sister to the Listed winner-turned sire Rock Hero and the stakes performer All Too Soon (All Too Hard). The gelding’s grandam is the former top mare Gallant Tess (Galileo {Ire}) - a dual Group 2 scorer and multiple Group 1 placegetter.
There wasn’t a lot of interest in Performer, with the Group 3-winning son of Exceed And Excel making just $6000. He was bought by Brian Smith’s Waylon J Stud.
Lot 1921 - Performer | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Performer, who is a half-brother to the Group 1 hero sprinter Bel Sprinter (Bel Esprit), covered 104 mares in his first season at stud in 2019, but served just 28 last year. He has had three winners from 12 runners, including the Les Ross-trained Mishani Maverick.
The sale grossed $696,500 at an average of $33,167.
Top lots
| 1907 | Fearless Knight | Lonhro | Typhoon Tess | Gelding | TFI Reduction | Wai Yin Li/James Moore Racing | $130,000 |
| 1915 | Rimbaud | Lope De Vega | Munees Gemini | Gelding | TFI Reduction | Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd | $130,000 |
| 1920 | Thorpe | Fastnet Rock | Star Of Sydney | Gelding | TFI Reduction | Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd | $80,000 |
| 1914 | Rideau | I Am Invincible | Torvill | Gelding | TFI Reduction | Jared Wehlow | $62,500 |
| 1905 | Desert Safari | Pride Of Dubai | Bint Snitzel | Gelding | TFI Reduction | Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd | $36,000 |
