Cover image courtesy of Burnewang North
Returning with intent, they bring a well-rounded and balanced group to the Gold Coast, combining proven pedigrees, type, and commercial appeal. The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Emma Todd and Catherine Hains to discuss their draft and find out why they do things the 'Burnewang North' way.
Burnewang North returns to Magic Millions with a quality weanling draft
The Burnewang North team is thrilled to return to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, marking their first appearance at the sale since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Having experienced success at weanling sales across the country, they are eager to re-establish their presence at the Gold Coast with a compelling consignment of 16 weanlings, representing the entirety of this season’s crop.
“It’s our first time back (at Magic Millions) in a while and we are looking forward to heading back to the Gold Coast with our weanlings. This is our entire crop, which is made up mostly of proven sires,” said Burnewang North's Bloodstock Manager - Emma Todd.
Need I Say More | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The farm’s initial foray into the National Weanling Sale dates back around seven years, with immediate success. “Our first draft was about seven years ago, and that was a good one as we sold Need I Say More,” Todd recalled.
That son of No Nay Never (USA) was purchased by Kilgravin Lodge for $65,000 and went on to win five Group races and a Listed race in New Zealand for Te Akau Racing before being exported to Hong Kong.
Their track record at this sale also includes the smart Exceed And Excel filly Aditi who sold for $310,000 to Rosemont Stud in 2021 , who was a smart 2-year-old, winning a metropolitan race in Sydney and placing in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes.
Emma Todd | Image courtesy of Burnewang North
“We are very excited. With a draft of 16, this group is well-suited to the current buoyant market. It’s a nice draft and a very competitive one,” Todd said. “We have a lot of proven sires, which should put us in good stead.”
That stallion strength is reflected in the makeup of the draft, which features progeny by some of Australasia’s most respected and proven names including Exceed And Excel, Dundeel (NZ), So You Think (NZ), Street Boss (USA), Pride Of Dubai, Starspangledbanner, Hellbent and Brazen Beau.
They’ve also included youngsters by exciting up-and-coming sires such as Castelvecchio, Harry Angel (Ire), and Written By. Adding an intriguing dimension is Lot 277, a filly by first-season sire In The Congo, the winner of the G1 Golden Rose and G3 San Domenico Stakes. With his first crop only just hitting the weanling sales, this weanling could prove a tempting prospect for buyers looking to take a punt, or those with pinhooking aspirations.
Lot 277 - In the Congo x Zou de Moon (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Three standouts, one quality draft
Among Burnewang North’s return draft to the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, three individuals stand out as ones that people should check out or keep an eye on
The first to go through the ring will be Lot 14, a powerful colt by Castelvecchio out of French Skyline (Manhattan Rain). He boasts a current, black-type-laden pedigree that includes elite names such as G1 winners Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), and Group winners Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel), All Saint’s Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), All Hallows’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), and Savvy Nature (NZ) (Savabeel).
Lot 14 - Castelvecchio x French Skyline (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He’ll be the first horse we offer, and he is a lovely, strong horse,” said Todd. “He is very powerful, a spunky mover, a tough-looking animal, and the timing works being by Castelvecchio, as he is doing so well.
“He should be in strong demand.”
“He’ll (Lot 14) be the first horse we offer, and he is a lovely, strong horse,” - Emma Todd
Lot 50 is a well-bred filly by proven sire Exceed And Excel out of the eight-time-winning mare Je Suis Belle (Bel Esprit), who captured the Listed Ascot Handicap. Her extended family includes high-class performers such as G1 Queensland Derby winner Sonntag (Teofilo {Ire}), G1 winner Flavour (Rubiton), and the Group winners Raspberries (Lonhro) and Ice Cream Sundae (Sovereign Red {NZ}).
“She is the first foal of a stakes-winning Bel Esprit mare,” Todd said. “There aren't many left around by the proven Exceed And Excel, so she should really appeal.”
Lot 50 - Exceed and Excel x Je Suis Belle (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Another highlight is Lot 123, a Dundeel (NZ) colt out of the Commands mare Nonchalance, a broodmare with a growing reputation. She is the dam of G3 Carbine Club Stakes winner The Fortune Teller (Caravaggio {USA}) and Sorcerer Lass (by Maurice {Jpn}), who was purchased for $400,000 by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
“He is a half-brother to The Fortune Teller, who we bred and sold,” Todd said. “His half-sister by Maurice, we sold for $400,000 and she is showing promise in the Peter Gelagotis stable. The mare is doing a fantastic job, and this is a lovely colt.”
Todd added that the overall draft offered depth and versatility. “We have progeny that are early foals, and we have progeny from good producers.
Lot 123 - Dundeel (NZ) x National Velvet (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I think the draft suits both the pinhook and end-product market, as people may choose to let them grow out as they wish. There really is a horse for everyone in this draft.”
Quality rules in a tight market
When Todd was asked about the market and how she thought it might play at the sale ahead, she was cautiously optimistic that Burnewang North will have the product that people want.
“There is no doubt that there is an appetite for, and people are certainly looking for quality.” Todd said.
“There is no doubt that there is an appetite for, and people are certainly looking for quality.” - Emma Todd
“We offer our whole crop, there is no picking and choosing, These are our top horses and that says it all.” Todd went on to elaborate, “There is no doubt that parts of the market are going to be tough, we hope that our draft is providing what buyers want and that they will sell accordingly.”
Reflecting on the trend of selling weanlings, Todd commented, “I think selling as weanlings used to be out of the ordinary, we have done it and had good success selling horses at weanling sales like On The Bubbles who was a Group 1 winner, The Fortune Teller who was a Group 3 winner and Midnight Glow, who has been stakes placed.
“It definitely has become more ‘the norm’ these days as stronger and stronger weanlings are being offered for sale as farms are looking to increase cash flow, and move away from the risk of Yearling sales.”
Our way is the weanling way
Catherine Hains of Burnewang North spoke openly about why she runs her business a certain way and the emphasis they put into weanling sales.
“I think what we were looking for was a clear point of difference,” Hains said. “We felt that the real joy of selling at yearling sales is at the elite end, with very exacting requirements in my opinion.
“It really is focused around that top 15 to 20 per cent, and it can make it difficult. As much as we would love a draft full of progeny by Too Darn Hot, Zoustar and Snitzel, that’s not where we sit.
Catherine Hains | Image courtesy of Burnewang North
“Our business plan is more around breeding horses on good land, that achieve upper-end results and can get commercially viable outcomes.”
She emphasised that Burnewang North's reputation is built on quality horsemanship and strong foundations. “We have a good brand, our horses are well raised, and we have a fantastic team.
“We have a good brand, our horses are well raised, and we have a fantastic team.” - Catherine Hains
“They are young, but they have been with us a long time. We are very transparent and Aaron, Emma and the team are very forthcoming—and they are a team I am proud of.”
When asked about the potential challenges and disadvantages of focusing on weanling sales rather than yearling sales, Hains was thoughtful in her reply.
“I do believe there is a lot of upside in growing out a weanling to a yearling sale, but there’s no guarantee, it’s not a silver bullet. None of it is.
“I do believe there is a lot of upside in growing out a weanling to a yearling sale, but there’s no guarantee, it’s not a silver bullet. None of it is.” - Catherine Hains
“All inputs are becoming a challenge to everyone in the business-nomination fees, increasing labour costs, repository requirements, it can be tough. It’s a really tricky, intricate business.”
She acknowledged the importance of strong relationships within the industry. “We do rely on pin-hookers and very smart people deep down in the business who can find a nice horse that can be on-sold to make some profit.”
Burnewang North Team | Image courtesy of George Vanveenendaal
Hains concluded with a quote that continues to guide her approach. “I often quote my dear Kiwi friend Steve Brem, who is sadly no longer with us. He summed it up well- he said it’s like playing roulette. You are making all your decisions two and three years in advance before the market has found its position. You can be right, you can be wrong, but you can never be certain.”
