Cover image courtesy of Ambergate Farm
For Scone-based horseman Kevin Drew, Adelaide has become more than just another sale on the calendar. It is a place where good horses can find the right homes - and where a modest draft can still make a meaningful impact.
His Ambergate Farm is heading into the 2026 edition of the sale with former graduates getting the results on the track and with Drew having a sense of cautious optimism, but knowing also that vendors will need to meet the market.
A working-class sale
Ambergate Farm has built a reputation for consistently presenting honest, well-prepared yearlings at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, and Drew believes the character of the market remains one of its great strengths.
“It’s been constant, there has been a good amount of people and I think the sale is going to come down to how much people have to spend and how realistic vendors are going to be with their reserves,” Drew said.
“The sale is and always will be a value sale, reserves need to be set realistically, and people will need to meet the market. The sale always bats well above its average in terms of quality trade horses, Group horses.”
Kevin Drew | Image supplied
In Drew’s view, Adelaide continues to offer genuine opportunities for buyers willing to look beyond the bigger headline markets.
“It’s a working-class sale, but always great opportunities to buy a future broodmare, or a good gelding to race or to trial. It’s an important sale and one that I have always targeted or looked to bring horses to.”
Recent graduate success on the track
Recent racetrack success has again highlighted the value that can emerge from Adelaide, none more so than the promising 2-year-old filly Zouwin (Zousain).
Purchased for $36,000 by Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock at last year's Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, the daughter of Zousain impressed on debut with a narrow, but authoritative win over 1000 metres at Murray Bridge on January 17, following earlier jump-out and trial success.
“Robert Stapleford owned the filly and he entrusted me to bring her to Adelaide and be in charge of her,” Drew said.
Zouwin as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She was a lovely balanced filly, not expensive but a lovely filly.”
The result provided a timely reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift around a stallion as well.
“She (Zouwin) was a lovely balanced filly, not expensive but a lovely filly.” - Kevin Drew
“Aaron (trainer Aaron Bain) has been able to get the best out of her and she was an impressive winner on debut here in South Australia,” he said.
“She was popular last year but very affordable at $36,000. At the time Zousain was just going okay, he had Gai’s one (Bellazaine) going good, and now look a year later and Zousain is absolutely flying.”
“Aaron (trainer Aaron Bain) has been able to get the best out of her (Zouwin) and she was an impressive winner on debut here in South Australia.” - Kevin Drew
For Drew, however, the bigger picture matters most.
“At the time we were happy with the price, but one of the biggest things is a graduate has had a win,” he said.
“Hopefully, Aaron will be back and having a look at our horses again. Return business is essential for us.”
Finding the right market
Drew’s approach to Adelaide was shaped early in his career, particularly given the competitive breeding landscape that surrounds Scone.
“I have some pretty famous neighbours in the likes of Arrowfield Stud, Yarraman Park, Widden Stud and Middlebrook and the likes, and when I first started I knew I couldn’t compete,” he said.
“Everyone wanted to go to Classics with the type of horses I had, but I decided to target a few Classic-type quality yearlings that would match well with Adelaide.”
That decision proved pivotal, with early support from established farms helping Ambergate build momentum.
“I got supported by the likes of Goodwood, Evergreen, the original Glastonbury and got trusted to do the job and it worked.
“I got supported by the likes of Goodwood, Evergreen, the original Glastonbury and got trusted to do the job and it worked.” - Kevin Drew
“A few of those farms have since used Adelaide under their own name also.”
More than a decade on, Drew still sees the sale as a natural fit.
“I just had a hunch and tried something and I have now been bringing horses here for 10 years.
“These days for me it is about trying to find the right sale for the right horse.” - Kevin Drew
“These days for me it is about trying to find the right sale for the right horse. We have another eight for the Magic Millions June Sale and just try and place them well.”
Above all, he believes realism is essential in the sales ring.
“I pride myself on being a very realistic seller. You have to meet the market otherwise everything is a battle.”
Graduates consistently flying the flag and as broodmares
Ambergate Farm Adelaide graduates have continued to perform at the highest level, headlined by star sprinter-miler Private Eye (Al Maher).
Sold for $62,500 at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, the gelding has gone on to win 14 races and more than $12.8 million, including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap alongside multiple Group 2 and Group 3 victories.
“Private Eye was a graduate for this sale and he is still racing so well,” Drew said.
Private Eye | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I think he was back in 2019 which is hard to believe really, he is such a durable, tough horse.
“He was a lovely black horse and we were entrusted by Goodwood Farm to present him. Each time he wins a big race or places in a big race, we are always there as the vendor so it helps us.”
“Each time he (Private Eye) wins a big race or places in a big race, we are always there as the vendor so it helps us.” - Kevin Drew
Success stories like Private Eye reinforce the trust placed in the farm by clients.
“We are always grateful for people who trust and believe in us and let us present their horses,” Drew said.
“Jamie Walter purchased him and I’m sure he will be back to look at our horses.”
Another notable graduate to shine on the racetrack and then in the breeding barn is She Shao Fly (Epaulette), who was purchased for $67,500 from Ambergate Farm at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
The Epaulette mare later won three races including the Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphettville, before selling for $500,000 as a broodmare.
She Shao Fly | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her success has continued through her progeny, producing Listed Canberra Guineas winner Aerodrome (Ole Kirk), and her latest filly by Ole Kirk sold for $430,000 to Bennett Racing at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
“Her progeny aren’t in my draft but I get a big thrill out of seeing her progeny sell well after being a former graduate of the farm and the Adelaide sale,” Drew said.
“Her (She Shao Fly) progeny aren’t in my draft but I get a big thrill out of seeing her progeny sell well after being a former graduate of the farm and the Adelaide sale.” - Kevin Drew
“It’s good for the business and good to know that quality graduates go on to big things on the track and as a broodmare.
“She was another horse that was not that expensive.”
Ambergate has also produced elite performers beyond Adelaide, including G1 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain), a graduate of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
She Will Reign | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
For a boutique operation, Drew sees that as a point of pride.
“Considering we only have about 20 horses go through the ring at most each year, we have done well to have She Will Reign run in an Everest as well as Private Eye twice,”
The 2026 draft ahead
This year’s Ambergate Farm draft to Adelaide features seven yearlings, including two fillies by first-season sire Bruckner and five colts by Zousain, Wild Ruler, Astern, Headwater and Trapeze Artist.
Drew believes the mix of proven and emerging stallions gives buyers a range of options.
“Lot 8 is a Zousain colt out of a Dissident mare that is related to a very good Zoustar mare in Haut Brion Her."
“He has been well found at the inspections and has been busy parading. The stallion is a bit of the right time, right place and obviously we had Zouwin, who was a Zousain, look so good on debut.”
Lot 8 - Zousain x Rebel Lady colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Recent racetrack results can quickly add relevance in the sale environment.
“Relevance is everything and it is great to have a graduate win anywhere, but to have them win in the area where a sale is makes it even greater and relevant for the market,” Drew said.
“It is great to have a graduate win anywhere, but to have them win in the area where a sale is makes it even greater and relevant for the market.” - Kevin Drew
The Bruckner fillies represent a calculated gamble.
“With the Bruckner fillies, they are by a first-season sire I quite liked and was willing to take a gamble with,” he said.
“I hope the stallion trends the right way. I don’t have expectations like he is going to re-write history or anything but hopefully we get a result.”
Bruckner | Standing at Widden Stud
Meanwhile, the colts come from stallions currently enjoying strong commercial momentum.
“The colts are by stallions that are doing the job. Zousain is going well, Trapeze Artist is going well and Wild Ruler seems to be on everyone’s lips at the moment.
“Philip Stokes has done such a good job with his one (Stretan Ruler), and the stallion has a sense of timing about him.”
Despite the positive reception during early inspections, Drew remains pragmatic about the sale ring.
Lot 61 - Wild Ruler x Static colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It’s an even bunch of horses, the Wild Ruler I’m sure will be popular but I am happy with them all,” he said.
“They will make what they make, I’m not going in with unreal expectations.
“They will make what they make, I’m not going in with unreal expectations.” - Kevin Drew
“But you never know if the buyers like one, they may get the bit between the teeth and have a go.”
Following Adelaide, Ambergate will also send a further draft north.
“Then I will have eight more to go to the Gold Coast,” Drew said.
The Adelaide appeal
After a decade bringing horses to the South Australian sale, Drew still appreciates the atmosphere as much as the opportunity.
“It’s a tough game, but I enjoy Adelaide,” he said.
“It’s a tough game, but I enjoy Adelaide.” - Kevin Drew
“I have been coming here for 10 years and hopefully for many years to come, but it’s tough and everyone is aware of that.”
Still, it is the relationships built around the sale that continue to matter most.
“It’s a lovely place to sell horses, everyone is nice and relaxed, repeat business is key and we have had plenty of recent success,” Drew said.
“At the end of the day little fish are sweet fish and we will be having a go.”
