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7.
RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR
– Breeding Background
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01/7/2003 |
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At
the culmination of the 2003 Australian racing season, it's worth taking a look
at what our leading thoroughbreds cost, and where they were purchased. If you
like, a form guide for prospective owners who see themselves collecting an award
of their own in years to come!
This year we find a wide cross section of horses, the cheapest being
Australasian Oaks winner Sound Action who was purchased for only $1,250, the
dearest, AJC Oaks winning Sunday Silence filly Sunday Joy, who was knocked down
for $1m.
The two leading contenders for Racehorse of the Year in Northerly and Lonhro,
were both homebred and were not offered at sale.
The Magic Millions sales company provided the majority of nominees across all
award categories with a bumper season. The Gold Coast based company sold a host
of headline grabbers headed by ‘fairytale’ Golden Slipper winner Polar
Success (Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale, $32,500).
Rival sales company William Inglis & Son struck back late in the season
through the efforts of international superstar Choisir (Inglis Classic Yearling
Sale, $55,000) and bargain buy sire prospect Bel Esprit (Inglis Classic Yearling
Sale, $9,000).
Interesting to note that none of this year’s nominees were bred across the
Tasman in New Zealand, in what must be seen as a positive sign for the
Australian breeding industry, but not so good news for our neighbours in the
shaky isles.
In the sire stakes, Dehere is the only sire to provide two or more nominees.
Recently retired Golden Slipper winning mare Belle Du Jour, and Guy Walter’s
Defier were both sired by the prodigious producing son of Deputy Minister.
Three breeders produced two individual nominees each in this year’s awards.
Victorian breeder Emma Boling trading under the Markham Arabian banner was
responsible for tough two year-old Hasna and promising staying filly Sound
Action.
Jack and Bob Ingham’s Woodlands Stud produced and raced both Lonhro and Yell.
His Excellency Nasser Lootah registered good results this season with Dash For
Cash and Winestock, both sold by his Emirate’s Park Stud by homebred sires
Secret Saving’s and El Moxie.
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