Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

G3 Eclipse S. - first stakes race for 2025

The first stakes race for 2025 celebrates youth, this Group 2 contest over 1200 metres for the juveniles attracting a field of nine promising gallopers with all but one of those already being winners.

The only maiden, Towering Vision (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) showed ability at his only start but it is his Te Akau stablemate La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) who is the mostly strongly fancied having impressed at her first start; the daughter of the Group 2 mare Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel) sitting wide at Te Rapa in early November yet still winning with a bit in hand. She is the most expensive purchase in the race, secured by David Ellis for NZ$190,000 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Another to have had one start for a win is Sweet Ice (NZ) (Frosted {USA}) who did plenty wrong when saluting at Te Rapa in mid-December. The more experienced Toretto (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a deserved winner at Ellerslie in late November and he seeks to make it a good couple of weeks for his dam Pwerfect (Pentire {GB}) whose 3-year-old son Beau Dazzler (also by Ardrossan) has won his last two including the G3 Grand Prix S. at Eagle Farm.

Another by Ardrossan is Almakeitgood (NZ) who was too strong on Heavy going at New Plymouth.

Gallery: Some of the runners in the G3 Eclipse S. at Ellerslie

Hailing from the prolific Richebourg (NZ) (Vice Regal {NZ}) family is Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who overcame trouble in running to salute at debut before racing greenly when second at Trentham a few weeks ago.

Also well-related is Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) who improved drastically off a debut last to an Otaki victory; able to get up despite ducking in sharply close to home. The half-brother to the Listed winner La Flora Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) hails from the same branch of the "Belle" family as Melody Belle (Commands).

Yulong's Lucky Vega (Ire) has made an encouraging start to his stud career, and he is represented by Vega For Luck (NZ) who was Listed-placed last time out.

G2 Sir Patrick Hogan S. - fabulous fillies

A 2000-metre Group 2 event for 3-year-old fillies, this race was renamed from the Royal S. (first run in the late 1890s) to honour Sir Patrick Hogan last year.

It has not always been a fillies race but since becoming so in the early 1960s it has proven a strong guide to Oaks success both in New Zealand and Australia.

On occasions it has been run after the G1 New Zealand Oaks, that double taken out by Solveig (NZ) (Imposing) and Royal Heights (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) whilst those to win both races with this one as the lead-up are Staring (NZ) (Fiesta Star), Alacrity (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}), Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon {Ire}), Savannah Success (Success Express {USA}), Tang (NZ) (Taipan {USA}) and Glamour Bay (NZ) (Zephyr Bay).

Another two have gone on to G1 ATC Oaks success; Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) and Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) whilst other Group 1 fillies with this race on their resume are La Mer (NZ) (Copenhagen {GB}), Plume (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}), La Bella Dama (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), Noble Heights (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), King's Rose (NZ) (Redoute's Choice), Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) and Kia Marea (NZ) (Stunning {GB}).

Gallery: Two horses that have won the Royal S. and gone on to win the G1 ATC Oaks, images courtesy of Sportpix

Since the 1960s it has been won on 15 occasions by fillies who have gone on to produce stakes winners with five of those represented by Group 1 horses. Savannah Success is the dam of Savabeel whilst Real Success (Success Express {USA}) produced the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Rising Romance the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Yearning (Snitzel), Rainfall (NZ) (Le Filou {Fr}) the dual Group 1 winner The Gentry (NZ) (McGinty {NZ}) and Rosehill (NZ) (Test Case {GB}) the G1 George Ryder S. winner Prince Ruling (NZ).

It's an even contest this year with five of the 11 runners opening up at single-figure odds with Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) the most favoured of those. The great granddaughter of Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) boasts consistent form as does Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) with both fillies looking nicely primed for a step up in distance.

Gallery: Two horses fighting out favouritism in the G2 Sir Patrick Hogan S., images courtesy of Kenton Wright Race Images

The race's most expensive purchase, the NZ$600,000 Karaka graduate Macaluso (NZ) (Savabeel) found trouble when well-fancied second-up and will be further improved as will the last start Group 2 placegetter Real Class (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) who has had just three starts.

Reggae Queen (Exceedance) did not have much room in the run home when good in the G2 Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day whilst Crown Princess (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) is up in class at only her third outing but her 4.5l maiden victory impressed.

G2 Rich Hill Mile - an open contest

Here's another open contest with three horses vying for favouritism; Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Provence (NZ) (Savabeel).

In the market only to blow the start in the G3 J Swap Sprint last time out, Jaarffi had been good after having to shift off heels in the run home in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders S. at her previous outing and is certainly due a change of luck.

Mary Shan, who wears blinkers for the first time, caught the eye with a strong finishing second in the Listed Matamata Cup at her third run in whilst Provence comes off a smart 1400m victory at this track.

Gallery: Three horses vying for favouritism in the G2 Rich Hill Mile, images courtesy of Kenton Wright Race Images

Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) was very good without luck in the J Swap Sprint, a race in which What You Wish For (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) was out of the placings; that horse capable of second-up improvement.

Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) was good off a slow start when resuming whilst the race's most expensive purchase, the $350,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy Kealoha (The Autumn Sun) out of the dual Group 1 winner Norzita (NZ) (Thorn Park) is up in class but coming along nicely.

Some very nice horses have won this race, such as the multiple Group 1 winners Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), Clear Gold (NZ) (Bahroona {USA}), Kiwi Can (NZ) (Hasty Cloud {Ire}), Rochdale (NZ) (Alpheus {GB}) and Sedecrem (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) as well as Shivaree (NZ) and his sire Sharivari (USA).

G3 La Trice Classic - quality mares

A relatively new race contested as a Listed race from 2006 and elevated to its current Group 3 status in 2016, this 1800-metre race at Ascot for mares is being run for the 20th time; on a couple of occasions run twice in the same year.

It is more often than not won by mares able to prove their worth in stakes company on multiple occasions with 14 of its winners taking out other black-type races. Including the Group 1 winners Elite Belle (Canny Lad) and Belle Bizarre (Dauberval {USA}).

And five have been stakes-producing mares including the dams of the G1 Metropolitan H. winner Come Play With Me (Blackfriars) and the triple Group winner Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) and the 2024 dual Listed winner Russian To The Bar (Russian Revolution).

Grant and Alana Williams boast a great record in this race, taking out the last two runnings with Yonga Lass (Universal Ruler) and Alsephina (Star Turn) as well as with Cosmic Storm (Street Sense {USA}) in 2016. And under Grant's name solo; Elite Belle (Canny Lad) in 2014 and Tranquility (Redoute's Choice) in 2010.

The couple have another good prospect this year with Miss Skyhigh (Harry Angel {Ire}) who is building a nice record with her three wins and six placings from 14 starts.

She ran on well when third in the Listed Starstruck Classic last time out, a race which was contested by eight of this race's nine runners.

Including the first two home; the winner Bonjoy (Maschino) who was game making a late dive and the runner-up Own The Queen (Awesome Rock) was nailed only late after making the pace.

The stayers - the G2 Perth Cup, G3 Queen Elizabeth II S. and the Listed Bagot H.

Stayers across Australasia are well catered for on New Year's Day with feature contests at Ascot, Ellerslie and Flemington.

It may no longer be a Group 1 race (losing that elite status in 1993), but the G2 Perth Cup remains a popular race and this year's running sees a variety of form lines from across the country converging.

Three interstate gallopers tackle the $1 million 2400-metre race; Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who was sound fresh after getting too far back in the G1 Caulfield Cup, the 2020 G1 Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who has been solid in three consecutive Group contests in Melbourne and the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation (Sioux Nation {USA}) who tired after facing the breeze in the G2 Ted Van Heemst S.

Gallery: The three interstate gallopers tackling the G2 Perth Cup

That race was won by In Good Order (American Pharoah {USA}) who should again prove hard to beat whilst other locals with major chances are Sentimental Hero (Al Maher) who boasts a consistent record, Diamond Scene (So You Think {NZ}) who has won half of his 16 starts and Let’s Galahvant (Galah) who was an unlucky second in the Ted Van Heemst.

Last start G3 Counties Cup winner Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) is a worthy favourite in the G3 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ellerslie though it is an even race with a number of chances including the G3 Manawatu Cup runner-up Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}), the dual Group 3 winner Dionysus (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who was solid in Group 1 company last time out and the up-and-comer Son Of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).

Craig Williams has already won the Listed Bagot H., a 2800-metre Flemington contest, on a couple of occasions and he looks a big chance to add a third trophy to his cabinet aboard the last start Listed Pakenham Cup winner Goldman (NZ) (Verdi {NZ}).

The next two home in that race again take him on; Grand Pierro (Pierro) who fought on well and Muramasa (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who finished off well from the rear.

Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been jumping out well since contesting the G1 Melbourne Cup whilst the favourite's stablemate Newfoundland (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) keeps racing well as do the other lightly raced up-and-comers Just Berrilliant (Justify {USA}) and Infinity Imperial (Zoustar).

The sprinters - the Listed Canterbury Sprint, the Listed Kensington S. and the Listed Summer Scorcher

There is also plenty of New Year's action for the speedsters with Listed events at Canterbury, Flemington and Ascot.

The Listed Canterbury Sprint sees two form lines well-represented; that from the Listed Razor Sharp H. and a strong BM94 run at Randwick on December 21.

Pereille (Fastnet Rock) and Eagle Nest (Shalaa {Ire}) were both game filling the placings in the Razor Sharp whilst the Randwick race was won in nice style by Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) with Time To Boogie (Sooboog) a game on pace second and Our Kobison (Kobayashi) a solid fourth as favourite.

Flying Trapeze (Trapeze Artist) brings in different form, winning a Warwick Farm jump-out since a good Listed Recognition S. second at Doomben in late November.

Grahame Begg took out the 2024 runner of the Listed Kensington S. with Katsu (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) and he hopes to again kick off the new year in winning style with Miraval Rose (Grunt {NZ}) nicely primed after two good efforts back from a spell.

Running By (Impending) is a threat on the back of her consistent form as is the in-form The Open (Deep Field) who has looked good winning his last two. Windstorm (Redoute's Choice) did not have a great deal of luck when contesting the Supernova at Pakenham and Modown (Toronado {Ire}) is racing well for the in-form Charlotte Littlefield stable.

The Listed Summer Scorcher has just eight contestants but several of them are in good form including Norich (Demerit) who has dominated his rivals at each of his last three starts, Oxbridge (City Place {USA}) who at the age of eight is racing in fine form at his home track Albany and Bopping Blue (Magnus) who has won six races over the 1000 metres.

Gallery: Some of the horses with good form leading in to the Listed Summer Scorcher at Ascot, images courtesy of Western Racepix

Gemma's Son (Snippetson) can race well fresh whilst Sunlit Fresco (Fighting Sun) is lightly raced and promising.

Unbeaten Dance To The Boom wins Gosford Guineas

With the Gosford racetrack still under renovation, the Listed Gosford Guineas meeting was held at Wyong on the final day of 2024. Only five faced the starter in the Guineas with the Bjorn Baker-trained Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) sent out as the new favourite after Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) was scratched due to a minor heel injury. The Baker pair lead the race but it was unbeaten Dance To The Boom (Exceedance) who sped away to win by 0.75l with David Payne trained Shohisha (Supido) claiming second over Midnight Dynamite who held on for third.

“She's still learning, she's a big filly with a massive stride and she has that great will to win,” jockey Rachel King told Sky Thoroughbred Central. “I think if she was on a bigger track should would have put a greater margin on them.”

Dance To The Boom has now won all her three starts with earnings over $198,000.

“Dance To The Boom is getting better and better. I honestly thought the other bloke (Midnight Dynamite) would be too seasoned for her, but maybe he is coming to the end of it (long preparation),” said Bjorn Baker's stable representative Glen Lobb.

“But this filly has done nothing but improve and she raced away for a very good win. It was a surprise, the race fell away so much but we will take it.”

Bought by Cambridge Stud’s Jo Lindsay for $250,000 from Rosemont Stud’s 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, Dance To The Boom races in the famous yellow and black colours of the New Zealand stud farm. Rosemont Stud will offer Dance To The Boom’s Hanseatic half-brother as Lot 212 at the upcoming 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Second-season sire Exceedance is continuing the pattern that G1 Coolmore Stud S. winners make strong stallions and he now has four stakes winners with the others being Dublin Down, Flyer, and Swiftfalcon.

Dance To The Boom is the first foal of unraced Bim Bam Boom (I Am Invincible) and I Am Invincible enjoyed his first two Group 1 winners as a damsire in 2024 with globe-trotting Asfoora (Flying Artie) and tough mare Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}). Bim Bam Boom is a half-sister to G1 NZ Easter H. winner Albany Reunion (Fastnet Rock) and Listed winner Fast Dragon (Fastnet Rock) who placed in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. Another half-sister Group 3-placed winner Palace Rock (Fastnet Rock) is the dam of Listed winner and G1 JJ Atkins Plate-placed Giannis (Flying Artie).

This is a family that churns out stakes winners with the likes of Parlophone (I Am Invincible), Sun City (Zoustar), Shesallshenanigans (Toronado {Ire}), Shelby Cobra (Toronado {Ire}), Rock Robster (Fastnet Rock), and others all featuring on the page.

Drama in G3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes

Chris Waller trained 4-year-old mare Konasana (Dundeel {NZ}) overcame top weight and a protest to win the G3 Belle Of The Turf S. at Wyong’s Gosford meeting on New Year’s Eve.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 4-year-old mare Redbreast (American Pharoah {USA}) was sent out to lead by jockey Rachel King but Konasana finished strongly to win by 0.44l with Kris Lees trained 4-year-old mare Pier Pressure (Press Statement) trying to dive between the pair at the final furlong but was checked and finished in third. Pier Pressure’s jockey Tyler Schiller lodged a protest with Racing NSW stewards deliberating for about five minutes before dismissing both protests and confirming Konasana as the winner.

“We got to the right part of the track in the straight and she was great today,” jockey Regan Bayliss said. A homebred for Woppitt Bloodstock, Konasana took her record to five wins from 16 starts with earnings over $570,000 and she was previously a winner of the G3 James HB Carr S. in April this year.

One of 33 stakes winners for Dundeel (NZ), Konansana is the third foal out of Posing (USA) (Medicean {GB}) who was a winner over 2150 metres in Ireland. She has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Yes Yes Yes and a colt foal by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr).

Posing’s second dam is G3 Musidora S. winner Magnificent Style (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}) who was crowned Broodmare of the Year in Ireland in 2012 thanks to dual Group 1 winner Nathaniel (Ire) and G1 Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Magnificent Style has also produced G1 Ascot Fillies Mile winner Playful Act (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Percussionist (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), Group 2 winner Echoes In Eternity (Ire) (Spinning Hill {USA}), Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Changing Skies (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and Listed winners Stylelistick (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}) and Petara Bay (Ire) (Peintre Celebre {USA}).

Cover image courtesy of Race Images

A strong card at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day is the chance for many horses to qualify for the upcoming rich Karaka Millions meeting, as well as hit other summer and autumn targets. The improving state of prizemoney in New Zealand is also adding to the confidence of trainers there.

Nereus on a Cups campaign

Shaun Ritchie and Colm Murray have Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G3 Queen Elizabeth Cup over 2400 metres on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie. “He’s a nice horse. We took him to Melbourne for a hit and run in the Mornington Cup and he got shuffled back. It wasn’t really his style of track,” said Ritchie.

“He’s got to be a strong chance tomorrow. His grand final is the Wellington Cup. Tomorrow is a big jump up in weight and he’s probably a bit vulnerable, but the run should clean him up for the Wellington Cup.”

The 5-year-old gelding is top weight thanks to a last start win in the G3 Counties Cup over 2100 metres, and the Listed Mornington Cup run that Ritchie refers to was back in April when he ran sixth at the end of his autumn campaign. He’s had five runs in this spring for a couple of placings and that last start victory. Nereus was passed in at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Nereus is a full brother to G1 NZ Oaks and G1 Livamol Classic winner Savvy Coup (NZ), and Nereus is the last foal for their dam Eudora (NZ) (Pins) who is an unraced full sister to Group 2 winner Legless Veuve (NZ) and Group 3 winner Tootsie (NZ).

A relaxed mission for the Gold Coast

In 2024, Shaun Ritchie purchased a Tassort filly for $42,500 from Emirates Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “We usually go for book two. I’ve gone over the previous few years, and I have some good friends I like to catch up with. I usually buy one around the 50 to 60,000 mark and have had some success selling back to Australia after the trials. I bought a lovely Tassort filly last year who will be ready for a run in the autumn.”

Still unnamed, the Tassort 2-year-old filly is the first foal of winning mare Siyaadeh (Written Tycoon) who is a half-sister to Listed winner Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). Siyaadeh has a Bivouac yearling who was sold by Emirates Park to Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Riverstone Lodge at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $65,000. Riverstone Lodge have entered him in the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he is Lot 646.

Impact of increased prizemoney in NZ

In June 2023, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced a 29 per cent increase in prizemoney from NZ$70.5 million to NZ$90.8 million for 2024/25.

“The stable spends around $1 million at Karaka as it’s our home sale, and then we go to a few Australian sales too. I’ve always enjoyed Magic Millions and their hospitality. The big thing with New Zealand (now) is that we can talk clients into Australian yearlings as our prizemoney has tripled,” said Ritchie.

“We are racing for minimum of $80,000 tomorrow. It wasn’t long ago that we were excited to get $10,000 which made it quite hard to talk a client into going to Australia and spending $100,000 on a nice horse knowing he’d be running for 7 or 10,000 here at home. Now we are getting competitive with prizemoney, compared to Queensland anyway, and we have our own slot race, so we have more of an advantage and can spend a bit more in Australia with more confidence.

“I tend to take a client with me (to the Gold Coast) and show them what we like and dislike conformation wise, and then get to have a beer with them. With buying only one or two horses, it’s not the same pressure as at home, and is a good chance to bond with your owner in a friendly environment.”

Ballymore Stables' exciting juvenile colt

Pam Gerard has 2-year-old colt Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) in the G2 Eclipse S. on New Year’s Day. “He’s a really nice balanced colt. Obviously, Paul and Mike (Moroney) bought him at Karaka. He’s a bit of a character with a mind of his own, but the more he’s done, the more he’s starting to work it out,” said Pam Gerard.

“The trip down to Otaki has brought him on, and he’s more mature mentally. He’s not put a foot wrong since that trip and he looks well for his assignment tomorrow. It’ll be good for him to have a look around Ellerslie as we hope to get him into the Karaka Millions. I’m happy with the way he’s been working.”

Romanoff ran seventh on debut in early November, but went to Otaki for his second start which he won on November 28. A NZ$75,000 purchase at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from Haunui Farm, he’s eligible for the Karaka Millions 2YO. A half-brother to Listed Wanganui Cup winner La Flora Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), he is the last foal of Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) who was a winner at three and placed in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas behind the Champion Mare Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

“I won’t be going (to the Gold Coast) this year. It’s my first year on my own and I’m trying to concentrate on doing things the best we can here. It’s been a little bit daunting and I’m putting everything I can into the stable here. I’m hoping we can get plenty of support from studs, and am giving the horses we’ve already got the best chance to get going well.”

Asked if being part of the Ballymore Stables system is going to continue now that Gerard is training on her own, with Mike Moroney focusing on his health and on Australia, she said, “It has worked so well as a team. We do a lot of early education here, and then Mike takes some from here to Australia if they suit there, and some come here if needed. We are continuing as it always has.”

Moroney Bloodstock hunts for bargains

Paul Moroney added to the Ballymore story. “We’ve got some orders to buy for, but Mike won’t be active this year with his health. Things have slowed up a bit there.”

“We also buy for the Sears stable. They are going very well with a second stable at opening at the Gold Coast to complement their Toowoomba stable. They haven’t been active in Book 1 (in the past) but have bought in book 2. We bought Yellow Brick for them for $20,000, so they are pretty happy with us.”

Yellow Brick (The Mission) was a $20,000 purchase from Waylon J Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, and he’s now won eight of his 19 starts and over $1.9 million. Winner of the G3 Gold Coast Guineas in 2023, this spring he has had four starts, winning the Listed BRC Members Cup and placing twice including a last start third in the Five Diamonds.

Yellow Brick is one of three stakes winners for Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) who has a yearling colt by Maurice (Jpn) this year. The other two are Group 3 winner Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) and Group 3 winner Spendiferous (Pride Of Dubai).

“This year is a step forward for (Sears Racing), and are on the ascendancy at the moment, and growing their client base. They’ve had some interest at potentially a higher level,” said Moroney.

Saturday's double at Eagle Farm with Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained pair of Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) and Steady Ready (Better Than Ready) took the tally of wins to 50 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman-selected racehorses this season.

Gallery: The Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained pair who scored a double at Eagle Farm on Saturday, images courtesy of Trackside Photography

“We always find a lot of good types that we’d love to buy. The Gold Coast is our biggest final list every year. It’s one of the bigger catalogues too, but over the years the catalogue has become one of the best (quality wise) as well. We always find more horses than we have orders for. Catheryne flew in from America yesterday and I’m at the airport now heading up from Melbourne.

“We will hit the sales complex tomorrow and start looking at everything. We’ve already looked at around 600 horses on farms. It takes a lot to get through them all, and be thorough, especially once you get to second, third, and sometimes fourth inspections.

“Hopefully we can pick up more business on the way, which usually happens. The whole shape of the industry has changed, with more syndicators and a lot of the big stables have their own employees to select horses. There’s less and less independent agents out there, all competing for same clients, such as the stallion syndicates.

Beau Dazzler was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Catheryne Bruggeman, and Sears Racing at the NZB National Yearling Sale for NZ$85,000 from Mapperley Stud, and the 3-year-old gelding has won three of his 12 starts with two wins coming in his last two starts. Winner of the G3 Grand Prix S., he has earnings over $460,000. Elsdon Park will present his full brother as Lot 228 at the upcoming NZB National Yearling Sale.

“Most of it comes together once you see the horses, and then we can be enthusiastic about the horses we’ve seen who make the final list. Because we look at every horse, people know that we find the diamonds in the rough because we look for them. We inspect each horse as an individual, and don’t have any preconceptions about sires or pedigrees, which means we buy good horses for value, but that also means people want us to do that!”

Steady Ready was bought by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Haoh & Co at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $70,000 from Yarramalong Park. He is the second foal of winning mare Our First Lady (Denman) who doesn’t have a yearling this year.

Joined by Magic Millions Bloodstock Manager Dane Robinson, the program dives into the sale and the vibrant events that make the Magic Millions unique, from thrilling polo and show jumping to the stunning beach race before the barrier draw.

The sale kicks off on Tuesday, January 7, with the highly anticipated “Howden’s Super Session” taking center stage on Friday, January 10. Caroline's preview highlights a selection of standout yearlings from renowned vendors such as Arrowfield Stud, Ridgmont Farm, and Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, offering a glimpse into the future stars of the racetrack.

This year’s catalogue highlights a distinguished selection of sires, including multiple Champion Australian Sires Snitzel and I Am Invincible, as well as established stars like Written Tycoon, Zoustar and So You Think (NZ). The line-up is further bolstered by rising talents such as Wootton Bassett (GB), Too Darn Hot (GB), Farnan, and Stay Inside, offering an exciting blend of pedigree and potential.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or a newcomer to the yearling sales scene, this in-depth special will equip you with insights and inspiration to identify the next big stars of the racetrack.

Prepare to be immersed in the glamour, competition, and high stakes of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale—a showcase where the dreams of breeders, owners, and trainers come to life.