Cover image courtesy of Geisel Park Stud
The Myalup-based Geisel Park Stud is set to offer 10 yearlings at this week’s 2024 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale beginning on Thursday.
It has been an exciting time at Geisel Park Stud, operated by Conor Dunlop; in addition to the proven sires All American and Manhattan Rain, the stud welcomed the exciting Aysar.
Dunlop and the team at Geisel have been thrilled by the quality of yearlings, the number of people on the ground at the Swan Valley-based complex, and the reception to Aysar by breeders.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Dunlop to find out some highlights of their draft.
Conor Dunlop | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Yes Yes Yes colt heads Geisel's draft
Geisel Park Stud arrived at Middle Swan on Friday. Dunlop was pleased that there were already potential investors at the complex two days out from when inspections officially started on Sunday.
“We actually arrived here on Friday, and a couple of guys came through then. So we've been parading since Friday, and we've been happy with the traffic subsequently,” Dunlop told TTR AusNZ.
“A few people are getting out and around; all the right faces are on the ground. Some of the eastern states guys are arriving today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday), so it's very encouraging and should be good.”
When asked who a highlight of the draft has been, Dunlop was quick to announce Lot 147, a colt by Coolmore Stud's second-season sire, Yes Yes Yes.
The colt is the second foal from the Geisel Park Stud-owned Rosebank (Helmet), whose first foal is the unraced juvenile So Many Stories (So You Think {NZ}).
Lot 147 - Yes Yes Yes x Rosebank (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Rosebank won three races and is a half-sister to the G3 Thousand Guineas Prelude and G3 Jansz S. victress Gabbidon (Bel Esprit). The family received further updates after last year's G1 Railway S. hero Bustler (Playing God) emerged.
Rosebank foaled a filly by Brazen Beau in August and was served by Aysar in the spring.
“The colt (Lot 147) out of Rosebank is a highlight of our draft. Everyone who has viewed him has been really, really pleased with him.
“We have him as probably one of the top 10 colts in the sale. We have his dam, Rosebank, and we've been delighted with what she produces.
“We're hopeful he'll pull a nice figure for us, and all the good judges have been very positive.”
“The colt (Lot 147) out of Rosebank is a highlight of our draft. We're hopeful he'll pull a nice figure for us, and all the good judges have been very positive.” - Conor Dunlop
Other stallions represented in the Geisel Park Stud draft include the prolific winner-getter Maschino (Lot 9), Playing God (Lot 311) and Starspangledbanner (Lot 151).
Long Leaf attracts attention
Geisel Park Stud is also set to offer two colts by the Rangeview Stud’s second-season sire, Long Leaf, in Lot 81 and Lot 158.
Long Leaf was a brilliant 2-year-old winning the Listed Merson Cooper S.- beating Oohood (I Am Invincible) - and the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings), while as a 3-year-old he won the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic and was third in the G2 Sandown Guineas. Long Leaf stands for $5500 (inc GST), and his first progeny offered last season yielded positive results.
Long Leaf | Standing at Rangeview Stud
From 32 offered, 25 sold at an average of $53,420. Long Leaf achieved a top price of $140,000 for a colt and $145,000 for a filly.
The results give Dunlop confidence in how the two yearlings will be received.
“The progeny of Long Leaf sold really well in Perth last year. The buyers were all over them; they were selling like hotcakes.
“We’re pretty fortunate this year. We probably have one of Long Leaf’s best colts, Lot 81. He’s from probably one of the better mares that have gone to Long Leaf.
“We’re pretty fortunate this year. We probably have one of Long Leaf’s best colts, Lot 81. He’s from probably one of the better mares that have gone to Long Leaf.” - Conor Dunlop
“Lot 81’s dam Impressing Matters was a fast mare and at stud has produced a stakes winner; he’s a nice colt, as is the other one in the draft (Lot 158). But many people are happy overall with the progeny by Long Leaf.
“It will be interesting when they get up to speed over the next few months.”
Lot 81 is the eighth foal from the Viscount mare Impressing Matters, who is from the family of the G1 Golden Rose victor Exosphere. She won the Listed Burgess Queen S. and is the dam of the Listed winner War Room (War Chant {USA}).
Gallery: Geisel Park Stud's yearlings by Long Leaf to be offered at the 2024 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, images courtesy of Magic Millions
While Lot 158 is the second foal from the More Than Ready (USA) mare She’s ReadytoReign. She is the daughter of the Listed winner Very Sydney (Danehill {USA}).
Positive reception for Aysar
Geisel Park Stud debuted Aysar at a fee of $8800 (inc GST) last spring to stand alongside the established pair Manhattan Rain and All American. The son of Deep Field is a half-brother to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and G1 Lightning S. hero Home Affairs.
Aysar won the Listed Chautauqua S. and was placed in races like the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G3 Carbine Club S. He also ran fourth in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S.
The son of Deep Field was supported with 88 mares last spring.
Aysar | Standing at Geisel Park Stud
“Manhattan Rain and All American have been excellent additions. All American has done a terrific job in Perth. He filled a big void in the market here and got off to a tremendous start.
“All American has been consistent with his runners. Manhattan Rain had a wonderful run last season, and he had some really nice horses. He consistently throws some nice, strong foals. Manhattan Rain has some nice foals on the ground, which’ll be aimed at through this sale next season.
“He’s a beautiful horse and is probably one of the best families in the Australian Stud Book.”
Touching on Aysar, Dunlop explained the reception breeders have had to the son of Deep Field.
“We are very pleased with the quality of mares that he covered. He served 88 and was probably a little bit unlucky not to cover a few more. But the quality of mares, good stakes-producing mares, was brilliant. A lot of good families were represented, and some nice young mares coming off the track, who performed at stakes level and were really competitive resources.
“We are very pleased with the quality of mares that he (Aysar) covered (in 2023). He served 88 and was probably a little bit unlucky not to cover a few more. But the quality of mares, good stakes-producing mares, was brilliant.” - Conor Dunlop
“So, on the whole, we were really, really pleased with the book of mares he covered and the feedback.
“Aysar was tremendous to work with and took to breeding like a duck to water. He was an absolute pleasure to work with and made my life much easier on the farm. Aysar finished the season with almost 90 per cent fertility.
“We sent him around 10 to 15 mares ourselves, but there was a good collective of all the studs involved. He had support from Scenic Lodge, who heavily supported us alongside Gold Front. Alwyn Park, Misty Valley and Rangeview Stud were also great supporters. Quite a number of those studs also took breeding rates, which was very positive.
“If Aysar can throw foals in his mould, as he’s a fantastic-looking specimen, he’ll be off to the right start, but what impressed me most was his temperament; he’s a terrific horse.”
“If Aysar can throw foals in his mould, as he’s a fantastic-looking specimen, he’ll be off to the right start, but what impressed me most was his temperament; he’s a terrific horse.” - Conor Dunlop
Dunlop: best catalogue seen at Perth
Dunlop was complimentary in his assessment of the 2024 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and is optimistic he and other vendors will be pleased with the results when the sale concludes on Friday.
“I think we know where our market is over here, and I feel people are pretty realistic. It will be tough for us to compete at the higher end in Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, but the catalogue this year in Perth is tremendous.
“I think Magic Millions have done a great job, and the vendors and the breeders have done a fantastic job with the quality of yearling they are bringing to the sale.
“I have been here for 12 years and reckon this is the strongest catalogue I have seen. Even the types on the ground here are brilliant. There are some really, really nice horses amongst them.
“I have been here (Perth) for 12 years and reckon this is the strongest catalogue I have seen.” - Conor Dunlop
“The guys at Magic Millions should be commended for putting this sale together. This sale has been quite strong for several years now and I think with the quality here at the complex not only on paper but on those types, we’ll have a successful sale.”
