Lot 1033 – Yearling filly (Farnan x Amuri {Zoustar}) - $50,000
Buyer: Michael Costa Racing
Vendor: Twin Hills Stud
The stallion currently leading the second-season sires' premiership is the new Vinery Stud resident Farnan, whose leading performer this season has been the more than $1.1 million earner Ninja. Michael Costa Racing was able to secure a sharp-looking filly by the young sire out of the 1000-metre winner Amuri (Zoustar).
The purchase shapes as a significant value buy, particularly with Farnan standing for $77,000 (inc. GST) this upcoming season and one of whcih will help set the platform for Costa to re-establish himself back in Australian Racing after a successful stinit training in Dubai.
A good push from Twin Hills Stud and a sire on fire
Lot 1033 is the second foal out of Amuri (Zoustar), a winner over 1000 metres. Her first foal, Johnny (Farnan), has already been successful over 1000 metres and has been placed several times at metropolitan level.
Amuri is also well related, being a half-sister to Group 3 and Listed-winning 2-year-old Thurlow (Sebring), as well as Listed-winning 2-year-old Three Kings (Sebring). There is plenty of early speed throughout the pedigree, while her sire Farnan famously captured the G1 Golden Slipper.
Michael Costa | Image courtesy of Viva Racing
There was plenty that Costa liked about the filly, but one of the key factors was the confidence shown by the well-respected Twin Hills Stud team, who also held her in high regard.
“I've got a good relationship with the team at Twin Hills and they gave the filly a decent enough push, which was good,” Costa said.
“I've got a good relationship with the team at Twin Hills and they gave the filly a decent enough push, which was good.” - Michael Costa
“I'm still getting back into the loop of Australian racing. I've got some clients which have a fair bit of time for Farnan and actually got some other clients who are racing some horses out of the half-sister Thurlow, which they've got big aspirations of going to some Group races.
"So there is a bit of an indirect connection with the pedigree to start.”
An uncomplicated filly
The filly appealed to Costa on a number of different levels.
“She was just a very uncomplicated filly, well balanced, great head, good eye, good muscle tone and just perfectly correct. She was really uncomplicated and looked a good play at $50,000.
“She was just a very uncomplicated filly, well balanced, great head, good eye, good muscle tone and just perfectly correct.” - Michael Costa
“We were a little surprised to get a type like her with that sort of pedigree for that price.
“I obviously thought she potentially could have made a little bit more with what was in front of us. She just ticked all the boxes and there was nothing there that could have talked us out of it. I think that price was definitely a play for us.”
Lot 1033 - Farnan x Amuri filly | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The pedigree is packed with speed, featuring plenty of 1000-metre and juvenile form. When asked whether the filly looked that type physically as well, Costa believed she did.
“They tell me that the mare won in South Australia over 1000 metres by a big margin. She is by Zoustar and she has already left one that has won over 1000 metres, gone close again over 1000 metres and been knocking on the door quite a few times in Sydney. So it's a family which is working.”
“She does look good shopping with the sire she is by, the family she is from and the type that she is.”
