After a day of frustration of swings and misses on Day 1 of the 2012 Inglis Premier Sales, we were not overall concerned as we felt some better lots were on Days 2 and 3.
The opening hours of Day 2 started where Day 1 left off and continued throughout the day. A strong buying bench and some lovely types ensured bidding has remained brisk and amazingly the Median price of $70,000 is close to the Average of $79,568.
We came to Melbourne with an open frame of mind but the philosophy had not changed to buy high quality individuals at true market prices and not pay overs for any individual.
Unfortunately the attrition rate upon X-rays has been very high. We have a policy of " If in doubt rule it out ". We will not buy a house without a pest and building inspection so why would someone ever buy a yearling without an X-ray inspection? Yet many yearlings with poor X-ray reports have found their way to companies who will promote these high risk yearlings to the public. So much for their due diligence !
Early on Day 2 we secured a prized lot which we identified as a must have colt after our inspections.
Lot 221 is a Chestnut Colt by outstanding sire EXCEED AND EXCEL from SHOOT THE STARS. The mare has already produced a winner of 4 races and one of the underbidders we were competing against was David Hayes who trains the unraced full sister.
SHOOT THE STARS, is a half sister to Multiple Gr 1 Sydney Star CARNEGIE EXPRESS (6 wins Rosehill Guineas Gr1 Canterbury Classic Gr1, Gosford Guineas LR, 2d Australian Derby Gr1, 3d Hill Stakes Gr3, 4th Ranvet S. Gr1, Craven Plate Gr3.
His 3rd Dam was the mighty race mare OUR SOPHIA (5 wins AJC Oaks Gr1, Grand Prix Gr2, Princess H. LR, 2d Caulfield Cup Gr1, Qld Derby Gr1, Sydney Cup Gr1, Qld Oaks Gr1, 3d Caulfield Cup Gr1.
The immediate female pedigree includes Stakes Winners: CHAMPION NZ 3yo DOWRY (South Australian Oaks Gr1, Manawatu Classic Gr2), FATAL Gr2, RICHFIELD DESTINY LR, CRYSTAL DUKE LR.
This colt is also BOBS eligible.
He was a wonderful type, athletic and strong. Built in the mould of his Gr1 winning sons REWARD FOR EFFORT and HELMET, this colt was in a bidding dual from buyers from South Africa, Hong Kong, and leading stables in Australia.
After a hard bidding dual, Dynamic Syndications prevailed to secure the magnificent colt for a bid of $140,000 + GST.
PETER MOODY had discussed the colt with Dean and Adam prior to the sale and we agreed that history can repeat itself. It was here in 2008 we brought REWARD FOR EFFORT and we both agreed that he was as good a type as our Gr1 winner.
Importantly he is bred on the same cross as EXCEED AND EXCEL's other Gr1 winning colt in Australia - HELMET.
He is built from the same mould as Helmet.
The EXCEED AND EXCEL / SADLER'S WELLS Cross is the most successful with 16.3% of the stallions stakes winners produced on this cross (43 Stakes Winners to date with 7 Stakes Winners bred from Sadler's Wells mares), These excellent black type horses are: Gr1 winner HELMET, Gr2 Winner INFAMOUS ANGEL, Gr3 winners NIDEEB & MRS KIPLING, Listed Winners CANALI, BABY CORN & EXCEEDINGLY FRENCH.
So, we have already purchased a Gr1 winner by the sire and now we have purchased this colt, bred on the same cross as the other Exceed And Excel Gr1 winner.
It pays to do your homework!
The colt has a magnificent temperament to match his magnificent big and strong frame. Importantly he was clean on X-ray and our vet Dr Tim Roberts advised us he was the right horse for Dynamic to buy.
So add in the facts this top looking colt is bred to be a star on the most successful cross for an Exceed And Excel mating, add in an excellent female pedigree and Australia's number 1 trainer will be his conditioner, and he was passed clean by our vet, we have a huge head start.
He's share price is not going to be cheap but you will get what he represents is outstanding value.