Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
While many Australians were captivated by the Formula 1 excitement in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix, Sydney's Rosehill showcased its own thrilling horsepower spectacle. The spotlight was on the aptly named Veight (by Grunt {NZ}), who clinched a well-deserved Group 1 victory in the prestigious George Ryder S.
Trained by the father-son duo from Ballarat, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, and skilfully ridden by Damian Lane, the handsome 3-year-old colt triumphed over a classy field of competitors in the 1500-metre feature. Veight's win marked a significant milestone, as he became the first 3-year-old since the exceptional Pierro in 2013 to claim victory in the George Ryder S., highlighting the rarity of his achievement. Additionally, Veight's win celebrated a maiden Group 1 success for his sire, Grunt (NZ), who is based at Yulong.
Veight's burst onto the scene in February of his 2-year-old season with a dominant performance at Pakenham. He continued to impress, securing a win in the G2 Sires’ Produce at Flemington and finishing fourth in the G1 Sires’ Produce at Randwick, behind Militarize (NZ) (by Dundeel {NZ}).
Veight kicking clear in the G2 Sires' Produce S. | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Returning in the spring, Veight triumphed in the G3 HDF McNeil and delivered a commendable second-place finish in the G1 Caulfield Guineas over the mile. He then demonstrated his versatility in the 1200-metre G1 Coolmore Stud S., finishing a respectable fifth.
As a 3-year-old in the autumn, Veight showcased his ability when defeating older competitors in the G2 Australia S., and the subsequent G1 Australian Guineas winner, Southport Tycoon (by Written Tycoon).
From his debut to his latest race, Veight has consistently displayed grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to every challenge he faces.
Pinhook turning to gold
On Sunday, The Thoroughbred Report had the opportunity to speak with Royston and Catriona Murphy, the duo behind the Scone-based Sledmere Stud.
Sledmere has roots dating back to the 1920s in Catriona’s family, the stud briefly changed hands before her grandmother repurchased it, running it as a private farm. Catriona and Royston, who had spent 18 years at Segenhoe Stud, took the reins in 2013. Since then, they've transformed the property into a thriving commercial enterprise, with Veight standing out as one of their many success stories.
Veight, a standout weanling, was acquired by Sledmere and Cangon, managed by Catriona’s brother, for $100,000 from Yulong's draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. The Roystons decided to re-offer this promising son of Grunt at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. It was there that McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) secured the colt for $220,000.
Gallery: Veight sold at auction as both a weanling and yearling
Royston shared his initial impressions of Veight as a weanling with The Thoroughbred Report, stating, “We pinhook a few weanlings every year, and we came across Veight at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was a bit of a later foal (November 16), but he caught our eye. Despite his later birthdate, we stretched our budget a bit for him.”
He continued, "As a weanling, Veight always looked athletic and had the potential to mature into a quality yearling. We purchased him for $100,000 and re-offered him through our 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft. Tony McEvoy and Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) snapped him up as one of their top picks. After the sale, they approached us about retaining a share in the colt, and with promising colts like him, you’re always keen."
Reflecting on Veight's Group 1 George Ryder S. triumph, Royston expressed, “We’ve had a lot of fun with Veight. He's consistently been there or thereabouts, winning Group 2 races, but getting that Group 1 was special. Every owner believes their horse deserves a Group 1, but Veight's past performances made this victory feel truly well-deserved.”
Veight now joins an esteemed list of George Ryder S. winners, including Anamoe, Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}), and the legendary Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), who clinched four consecutive titles from 2016 to 2019. Notable champions like Lonhro, Manikato (Manihi), Baguette, and Emancipation (Bletchingly) have also left their mark on this illustrious race.
Royston added, “It’s a prestigious race to win. The field on Saturday was stacked with high-quality horses, many of them multiple Group 1 winners. Veight’s performance against such formidable competition underscores his consistency and class.”
Looking ahead, Royston remains optimistic about Veight's potential, stating, “We’re excited about Veight’s future. He continues to improve and showcase his talent. Being out of a Fastnet Rock mare and sired by Grunt, we expect him to improve a little bit with age, and he’s proving us right. The future looks bright for Veight.”
Success on and off the track
Over the past 12 months, Sledmere Stud has experienced remarkable success.
In 2023, Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}), a graduate of Sledmere Stud, claimed the G1 Blue Diamond S. Initially slated for the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, he was withdrawn and later sold for $200,000 to Lindsay Park Racing at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
From the same draft, Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) emerged as the winner of the R. Listed Inglis Banner and Listed Gothic S. Lindsay Park Racing secured him for $190,000.
The spring of 2023 saw Ozzmosis (Zoustar) triumph in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. Darby Racing acquired him for $250,000 during the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Sledmere Stud.
Another standout from the 2022 crop was Wolfy (NZ) (Tivaci), bought by Nick Ryan Racing for $280,000 at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) has also made headlines, securing two further Group 3 victories in 2024. She was purchased for $195,000 by Triple Crown Syndications from Sledmere Stud’s 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Royston reflected on their success, stating, “We sold a strong group of colts in 2022, including Group 1 winners Little Brose and Ozzmosis. Arkansas Kid, in particular, shows promise and appears to be improving this preparation. We believe he’s on the right path and is a very talented horse.”
He continued, “Our success at Sledmere Stud is a testament to our dedicated team and strategic decisions regarding breeding and sales placements. We aim to produce quality horses suited to Australian racing.”
“Our success at Sledmere Stud is a testament to our dedicated team and strategic decisions regarding breeding and sales placements. We aim to produce quality horses suited to Australian racing.” - Royston Murphy
“Situated on a thousand acres near Scone, Sledmere Stud benefits from diverse and fertile land, conducive to raising top-quality horses. Our commitment to the property has shaped it into what it is today. Our strong results at sales reflect the quality of our product. We are very excited and looking forward to the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and the feedback we’ve had regarding our draft.”
Royston and Catriona Murphy | Image courtesy of Sledmere Stud
Easter Eggs
Sledmere Stud will head to the Riverside complex for the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale with 14 of their 15 catalogued lots.
There is a diverse group of stallions represented by the likes of Zoustar (Lot 82), Frankel (GB) (Lot 257), Deep Field (Lot 472), Snitzel (Lot 187) and Exceed And Excel (Lot 140) among those represented.
“I feel we’ve probably got our best draft going to the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale that Sledmere Stud has offered in many years,” Royston said.
“I feel we’ve probably got our best draft going to the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale that Sledmere Stud has offered in many years.” -Royston Murphy
“There’s a nice broad range of horses, which is great. So, the feedback’s been huge on them already, and we’re looking forward to getting down to Riverside in a week.”
The Murphys shortlisted some highlights from their 14-strong brand. Lot 82, a daughter of Zoustar, is the first living foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Invictus Salute.
She was a talented runner, winning six races, including the Listed Starlight S. and is from the family of Ozzmosis and the outstanding Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}).
“We’ve got a nice cross-section on the market by very popular stallions. But we are very excited about Lot 82, a filly by Zoustar, who is a very close relation to Ozzmosis.
“We’ve got a nice cross-section on the market (at Inglis Easter) by very popular stallions.” - Royston Murphy
“Lot 82 is the first foal of a stakes-winning mare, Invictus Salute, from a very nice family. She’s a cracking filly, and we’re excited to get down there and put her in front of more people. The feedback on her has already been exceptional.
“Our Snitzel filly (Lot 187) from Novel Dancer is another nice filly.”
Speaking about the colts, the Murphys highlighted Lot 187, a colt by the recently pensioned Exceed And Excel out of the Group 1 winner Media Sensation (I Am Invincible).
Sledmere Stud parading at Riverside | Image courtesy of Sledmere Stud
Another highlight is Lot 257, a son of Frankel and second foal from the Group 3-placed Siyouni (Fr) mare Salsa Bella (Fr). They also mentioned Lot 319, a colt by Justify (USA).
Lot 319 is from the unraced Stratum mare Stockton Abbey, a full sister to the speedy Listed victress Darlington Abbey. Lot 319 is one of six colts and nine lots overall on offer at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“We are also very excited about the colt by Exceed And Excel out of Media Sensation. The Frankel colt is very, very nice, and obviously, he’s one of the sought-after sires.
“The feedback on the Justify (Lot 319) colt has been great. He’s an absolute standout. I haven’t seen a better Justify around, and I think he’s one of only six in the sale. I think he’ll get plenty of attention. But it’s always hard to pick them; you can pick them out on pedigree and physicals, but until they are in the ring, you’re not sure what will happen.
“Overall, it’s a pretty even draft across the board. The horses have all been well-received by the people who have already inspected them at the farm. The reports are that it’s a consistent, nice draft, which excites us about presenting them.”
“Overall, it’s a pretty even draft across the board. The horses have all been well-received by the people who have already inspected them at the farm.” - Royston Murphy
Confidence ahead of Inglis Easter
The Murphys are heading into the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, satisfied with how the 2024 sale season has played out so far.
Sledmere Stud finished as the leading vendor by aggregate at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, selling 25 lots for $2,923,000. In comparison, they sold 22 yearlings for an average of $236,273 and a gross of $5,198,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I think we all probably expected we would take a bit of a hit in the market, and I think the market’s just consolidated a bit. Buyers have been very particular about what they’re buying, which is undoubtedly the right way to be,” Royston said.
“... I think the market’s just consolidated a bit. Buyers have been very particular about what they’re buying...” - Royston Murphy
“If you’re a little off the mark on type or the stallion and pedigree, you might not make what you hope. However, I think they have been well-received if you just try and bring the right sort of horse to the sale.
“We had a good sale on the Gold Coast at the Magic Millions, and we felt plenty of buyers were there. People were a bit nervous heading into the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, but we came out feeling and thinking that Classic was a really good sale for us again this year. Again, I think it’s just important to place your horses at the right sale. We would like to put our horses where they will stand out. As breeders, everybody talks about service fees and margins there, and sometimes, we offer horses and sell them for less than what they cost to breed.
“... I think it’s just important to place your horses at the right sale. We would like to put our horses where they will stand out.” - Royston Murphy
“But that’s the game, and you have to keep turning horses over. You hope to make the money back on some, but unfortunately, you don’t always make it back on others. Many people like to think breeders always get the cream, but many of those people have never bred horses.
“We will also be looking to be active in the weaning market. It will be interesting to see how many weanlings are offered this season. Our method will be the same.
“We don’t mind buying weanlings from any level. Our main focus is that we buy horses so that if we get stuck with it for any reason, we’re happy to race it. Ultimately, we are looking for the racehorse, not just the sale horse.”
