According to the
Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas, he has announced in an exclusive release that one of the Hunter Valley’s leading thoroughbred studs is expected to complete the purchase of unbeaten Golden Slipper winner Vancouver this week, in a deal which values the colt at more than $40 million.
Vancouver, the Gai Waterhouse trained two-year-old, has become the most valuable potential stallion prospect in the southern hemisphere since his outstanding Golden Slipper win earlier this month.
A number of major national and international thoroughbred breeding operations have been negotiating to buy the colt in the last week but the Daily Telegraph understands a NSW stud farm is about to clinch the deal.
Gai was tight-lipped about the proposed sale, which is understandable, given the commercial sensitivity of negotiations and the sheer size of the deal but a breeding industry source said the colt’s purchase should be completed within days.
It is understood that Vancouver will race on next season with Gai already declaring her ambition to set the colt for an unprecedented Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas-Cox Plate Group 1 treble in the spring.
Vancouver won his only four starts this season in the Breeders Plate LR, Canonbury Stakes Gr3, Todman Stakes Gr2 and Golden Slipper Gr1 to earn $2.33 million prizemoney and almost certainly clinch the Champion Two-year-old title.
The colt is by super stallion Medaglia D’Oro, a multiple Group 1 winner himself and the sire of freakish American filly Rachel Alexandra. He is out of Skates, and was sold for $185,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Vancouver is an imposing individual and combined with his regal bloodlines and now proven racetrack ability, it was only a matter of time before he was sold for stud duties.
The good news for Australian race fans is that we will see more of Vancouver on the racetrack as a three-year-old and if Gai is right, the colt’s best racetrack performances are ahead of him.
“If Vancouver was going for the triple crown races this autumn, the colt would not be going to the spelling paddock for another month or so,’’ Gai told the Daily Telegraph last week when explained the decision to spell the youngster after his Golden Slipper win.
“By turning him out now he can have a longer break and still enjoy the warm weather before winter comes. He will be a better horse for it in the spring.’’
Hoofnote:
Gai and Dynamic joined forced at the yearling sale in Melbourne on a spectacular filly, Lot 578 by Vancouver’s sire MEDAGLIA D’ORO out of the Group 2 Winning mare TRICK OF LIGHT.
One of the top fillies in the sale, both Gai and Dynamic were determined to have her at Tulloch Lodge.
Gai knew how well VANCOUVER was going and was adamant back in early March that her colt would win the Slipper.
Added significantly to the desire of owning this filly was the fact she is out of TRICK OF LIGHT a Group 2 winner of 6 races from a sensational black type family.
The filly has the looks and conformation to match her pedigree.
Most importantly, the filly is out of a Danehill line broodmare – she’s bred on the same cross as VANCOUVER and San Domenico Winner NOSTRADAMUS.
Offered for sale by the leading Victorian Based Breeder Rick Jamieson – owner of GILGAI FARM, the home of BLACK CAVIAR, we’ve been subsequently advised by the breeder that this filly was reared in the exact same paddock that BLACK CAVIAR was reared upon.
The filly certainly ticked all the boxes and represents wonderful racing opportunity and exceptional residual value upon racetrack retirement.
Inquiry on this filly has been very strong so don’t delay in becoming involved.
