The dam of this impressive Ole Kirk colt is Magical Sun, a daughter of Denmagic. Denmagic was purchased by Torryburn Stud, through Ric Wylie Bloodstock, for $350,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale towards the end of a successful racing career.
Melissa Copelin | Image courtesy of Torryburn Stud
This Ole Kirk colt is only her first foal, so the broodmare career of Magical Sun (The Autumn Sun) is off to a promising start, going by what she has produced for Torryburn first up.
An inspired purchase: where this chapter began
At the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, a well-performed Denman mare by the name of Denmagic caught the attention of Torryburn Stud. Catalogued late as a supplementary entry by Yarraman Park Stud, she had been on their radar, but they weren’t sure they would be able to secure her.
Denmagic may not have won a stakes race, but she was a dual winner who placed in the G2 Queensland Guineas, G3 Hawkesbury Guineas, Listed Just Now Handicap, G1 Myer Classic, and the Listed Darby Munro Stakes. She also finished fourth in the G2 Golden Pendant, G2 Millie Fox Stakes, G2 Matriarch Stakes, G3 Sheraco Stakes, Listed Bright Shadow Handicap, Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic, and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap - earning a tick over $440,000 in prizemoney.
Denmagic | Image courtesy of Sportpix“
"We managed to buy Denmagic at the Magic Millions, (where) she was a supplementary entry," Copelin said. "She was always on the list, but we weren’t sure whether we would be able to get her. We managed to get her in the end - lots of people had gone home, I think.
“We purchased her for $350,000. If you were trying to get a mare like her these days, it would be near on impossible, you would be paying close to a million.”
“If you were trying to get a mare like her (Denmagic) these days, it would be near on impossible, you would be paying close to a million.” - Melissa Copelin
Denmagic delivers big with her first foal
Purchasing a high-end broodmare prospect involves a significant outlay, both financially and emotionally, and can bring nervous times. Thankfully for the Torryburn team, Denmagic delivered immediately - her first foal, a colt by Not A Single Doubt, sold through their draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $1.1 million to Tony Fung Thoroughbreds and Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
“We were then lucky enough to make a lot of money off her first foal; to get $1.1 million was fantastic, so we got off to a great start. Then she had Magical Sun by The Autumn Sun, and she (Magical Sun) was all set to go to Easter, but unfortunately, she damaged her shoulder in the paddock, so we retained her to breed from, and that is why she is unraced.”
Not A Single Doubt x Denmagic colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Since then, the returns have been more modest. A Capitalist colt failed to meet his reserve but has shown promise at the trials for the Torryburn team, while a Russian Revolution filly was sold to David Pfieffer Racing, Kurrinda Bloodstock, and Koolman Bloodstock for $130,000 at this year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Regardless, Denmagic has been a wonderful mare for the Torryburn operation. She currently has a Russian Revolution yearling filly and is due to foal to Ozzmosis in late October.
Ole Kirk x Magical Sun: a promising match
When asked about the mating between Magical Sun and Ole Kirk, Copelin explained:
“We had a share in Ole Kirk, and we thought he would suit Magical Sun physically, as she was a mare in that The Autumn Sun kind of mould.
“She has been a perfect mum. She was ready to be served on September 1st, but she got pushed a day, but still got straight in foal.
Ole Kirk x Magical Sun colt | Born at Torryburn Stud
“She has produced a lovely colt, which we were hoping for. He weighs 51 kg, which is a good effort for a maiden mare, and he’s perfect, very well put together.
“I would expect him to keep on improving, coast through, grow out nicely and be a very sellable horse in the future.”
What’s next for Magical Sun?
A young, first-season sire will be the next match for Magical Sun - a horse by a proven stallion line that has served Torryburn well both on the track and in the sale ring.
“The mare is set to visit Starlust at this stage. He was a stallion that caught our attention as soon as he was announced, and when we saw him recently, we were suitably impressed," Copelin said.
Starlust (GB) | Standing at Riverstone Lodge
“He looks to have a good temperament and is obviously well-travelled and sound, which is important. Obviously, he is a bit of a risk, but he is at a nice price point for her, and he is by our (Australia's) best stallion.
“He is a bit of a risk, but he (Starlust) is at a nice price point for her, and he is by our best stallion.” - Melissa Copelin
“We have had luck with Zoustar at the sales, and we have Stardom running in the G2 Furious Stakes this weekend, she is (already) a stakes winner herself.
"Starlust is by him, so we think he is a good hope. Nick at Riverstone has got the right people behind him, and we are happy to support them.”
