Foote Bloodstock buys a $54,000 yearling for Tony Gollan at the Capricornia Classic Yearling Sale

A striking bay colt with impeccable bloodlines caught the attention of world-renowned bloodstock agent John Foote at Sunday’s Capricornia Yearling Sales.

Foote, who was in Rockhampton on behalf of premier Queensland trainer Tony Gollan admired quite a few yearlings but in the end, it came down to just one lot.

Wearing hip number 21 the colt by outstanding stallion Better Than Ready from 11 times city-winning mare Gypsy Secret was auctioned by Magic Millions in the sales ring at the Robert Schwarten Pavillion.  There was spirited bidding, and Foote secured his choice of the sale for $54,000.

“Our ownership is very strong in the (CQ) region and racing is such a vibrant and crucial part of the community,” Gollan said. “With this in mind, our bloodstock agent John Foote ventured to Rock Vegas to source next year’s winner. “He was the best pedigreed horse in the Sale, and we look forward to getting him broken in straight away and get going with him.”

The colt is fully paid in to the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS).

“We will give him every chance to be back in Rockhampton for the Capricornia 2YO (Classic) race, this time next year,” Gollan said. “We are really excited to have this colt in our stable and give back to the many people from the region who support our stable.”

Twelve months ago, a full brother to Gollan’s colt, named Ready And Betta also attracted a lot of interest at the same Sale and was sold for $65,000. The gelding was one of 15 starters in last Saturday’s $168,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic, finishing 12^th.

KBL Thoroughbreds sell Sales topper for $68,000

KBL Thoroughbreds sold the top lot at Sunday’s sale. The colt by Lean Mean Machine from first time producer Brushed was sold to Gold Coast owner Bill Bain for $68,000.

Brushed was unraced but the mare stems from a champion European family which includes English Derby winner Adayar, Champion German miler Anna Monda. More recently a number of good gallopers from the family have raced in Australia including Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet, Tramway Stakes winner Pericles, Tea Rose Stakes winner Pearls and interestingly Doomben 10,000 winner Epaulette who is also the sire of the dam Brushed.

Bain said he was very fortunate to be the buyer. “I know the sellers Kandice and Brad from KBL and I knew the horse would be the best presented and best type at the sale, I also had good progress reports on him,” Bain said. “I didn’t expect to have to bid as much as I did but I believe others were interested in him too, so that drove the price up. “I look forward to winning the Classic with him in Rockhampton next year.”

KBL had a good Sale also selling a Zousain – Kilkern Road colt and a Super One colt for good prices.

Related to the former good Melbourne galloper Holding, the Zousain colt went to Bloodstock Solutions for $45,000. Top Queenslanders from years gone by including Scomeld, Golden Cheer and Ima Smokey are from this family.

The Super One colt from Melbourne city winner Sweet Karolina was purchased by Kembla Grange trainer Mitch Beer.

“I have had the best time here at the races and sales,” Beer said. “We will get this bloke up and going and have him ready for the Classic race next year,” Beer said. “He is a strong type and looks like he will make the grade.”

Son of Dracarys sells for $60,000 and the locals shop well at the Sale

Bloodstock Solutions also paid $60,000 for a Dracarys – Tay Swift colt which was offered by Ellay Bloodstock.

Gold Coast’s Bevan Laming bought a Better Than Ready – I’m Lovely colt for $55,000. The colt was offered by JJJ Thoroughbreds with some handy relatives close up in her pedigree including former Rockhampton speedster Fleet n’ Fast and well performed southerner In Her Stride. Bevan and Richard Laming operate training bases in two states, at the Gold Coast and Cranbourne.

Bowen trainer Tom Button, a good judge with a great record of winning the local Classics shopped well buying six yearlings. He bought an Exosphere colt for $4,500, a Sun City filly ($22,500), a Sebring Sun filly ($48,000), a Dubious colt ($30,000) and a Lean Mean Machine colt for $12,000.

Berserker trainer Clinton Taylor also found some nice horses for himself and clients. His buys included a Pierata colt for $10,000, a Prince Fawaz filly ($13,000), Smart Missile filly ($30,000), and a Sensai filly for $10,000. Five yearlings from the Sale will run for Taylor next season.

There were just over 100 lots offered for sale with 69 yearlings selling for just under $1.1 million. The average price paid was almost $16,000 with a clearance rate of over 66% of the yearlings that went through the sale ring.

By David Aldred – CEO RJC