Cover image courtesy of The Image is Everything
First-season sire Microphone notched his first winner on Wednesday, with Pulpit scoring impressively in the opening race at Doomben by 2.3l.
Trained by Barry Lockwood, the filly accelerated into the corner, pulling away nicely under Irish-born jockey Martin Harley, the margin showing no sign of decreasing through the winning post.
The win elevates Microphone onto the winners' list early into his debut season, the talented son of Exceed And Excel needing only three starters to reinforce breeders’ faith in him as an exciting prospect within the industry.
Out of stakes-winning mare Sarah’s Holy Belle (USA) (El Corredor {USA}), Pulpit has provided a rapid return on investment for connections, with Wahha Thoroughbreds paying just $18,000 for her at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Microphone | Standing at Darley
Darley Australia Head of Stallions, Alastair Pulford, was very excited about the result, telling The Thoroughbred Report in the immediate aftermath, “We were always very hopeful of Microphone as an early sire given how he was as a racehorse.
“He won four of six as a 2-year-old, was Champion 2-Year-Old, placed in a (G1 Golden) Slipper, won a Sires’ Produce, so we were excited to see his runners.
“I’m delighted with the way this filly (Pulpit) won. I watched it on television with the race being up in Brisbane, and she reminded me a lot of Microphone; she is very much in the mould of her father.
“...she (Pulpit) reminded me a lot of Microphone; she is very much in the mould of her father.” - Alastair Pulford
“She was very professional, very impressive.”
Asked what this result means for Microphone, Pulford said, “He (Microphone) is in a very good crop of 2-year-old sires, a number of first-season sires have featured prominently so far.
“Microphone will have to be good, he doesn’t have big numbers, but you don’t need big numbers if you’re good enough."
“Microphone will have to be good, he doesn’t have big numbers, but you don’t need big numbers if you’re good enough.” - Alastair Pulford
The initial challenges around Microphone’s fertility saw him get off to a slow start numbers-wise, with his first breeding season at Kelvinside in 2020 saw him produce 56 live foals, at a fertility rate of 58.9 per cent.
In his second season, 53 live foals were produced at a fertility rate of 66.3 per cent, while 2022 saw 39 live foals at a fertility rate of 79.2 per cent. With a smaller number of produce on offer than some of his fellow first-season sires (Pierata had 115 in 2020, close to double the amount of Microphone), getting some early performers was crucial, which he has been able to do, Pulford noted.
“He had that horse place on debut (Miss Judas), so he’s made a good start.
“Having such an impressive winner on debut will focus attention on Microphone at the upcoming yearling sales, on the Gold Coast and at the Inglis Classic.”
Alastair Pulford | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale has already been a happy hunting ground for Microphone, with four yearlings selling for over $300,000 a piece, including a $750,000 colt out of South of France (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) named Coast Guard. Also featured amongst that quartet is the aforementioned Miss Judas, who placed on debut in the Kirkham Plate. He has five lots entered in the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and 10 entries for the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Microphone commands a 2023 fee of $33,000 (inc GST).
Harry Angel’s prices a divine result
Earlier on Wednesday, Darley shuttle stallion Harry Angel (Ire) was crowned king of Day 1 of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Ready to Run Sale, with Lot 143 knocked down to Tartan Meadow Bloodstock for NZ$800,000.
Lot 143 - Harry Angel (Ire) x Monrecour (NZ) (colt), the NZ$800,000 sale-topper on Day 1 of the NZB Ready to Run Sale | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The colt, who is out of stakes-placed mare Monrecour (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), had completed his breeze-up in a time of 10.47s, drawing plenty of interest. The Hong Kong-based Tartan Meadow Bloodstock came out on top of a battle to secure him, thanks to the services of renowned bloodstock agent Andrew Williams.
Brilliant when competing as a racehorse, he won the G1 July Cup and the G1 Sprint Cup (the latter by 4l) as a 3-year-old, training on to be a Group 2 winner at four. He hasn’t wasted any time establishing himself as a top-level stallion, siring Tom Kitten, winner of the G1 Spring Champion S. earlier in the spring.
Wednesday’s sale is a new peak result for the son of Dark Angel (Ire), who’s previous best was the $460,000 purchase of Monte Braveheart at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Harry Angel (Ire) | Standing at Darley
Harry Angel has eight entries for the upcoming 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and 16 for the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Like Microphone, his current service fee is $33,000 (inc GST).
