American Pharoah Colt Tops Buoyant Gold Coast 2YO Sale

An exciting colt by American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale when selling for $400,000.

Hong Kong based trainer Pierre Ng outbid his sale ring rivals to secure the colt, who was offered by leading Victorian consignor Tal Nolen, of Nolen Racing.

The colt, who was a $55,000 Adelaide Yearling Sale pin-hook, ran the fastest breeze-up of the sale - clocking a slick 10.15 seconds at Seymour.

Presented as Lot 116, the colt is the second foal of a winning Casino Prince daughter of Thousand Guineas winner Serious Speed.

While the colt will eventually head to Hong Kong, his first trip will be just metres away. The colt will join Magic Millions' next door neighbour, trainer Adam Campton until he heads north.

"I have had a little bit to do with the American Pharoahs," Campton said. "I've got a really nice one at home."

"Pierre and I have had a good association since I was in Hong Kong and I've come home now and I have been very lucky to team up with Pierre today and buy some nice horses and he was obviously the pick of them."

"He was for one of Pierre's loyal owners and I am excited to get him ready and in time he'll be shipped off to Hong Kong and hopefully he can win some nice races up there."

The American Pharoah colt was the star on a day which produced a number of outstanding results for buyers and vendors alike.

Despite the impact of the loss of buyers from Singapore and Macau, the market help up strong and the bidding was spirited from domestic and international buyers.

A colt by Brazen Beau from Inner Demons (Lot 44) was sold by Baramul Stud to China's Zhang Jiandao for $210,000 earlier in the day.

That colt is the first foal of a twice winning High Chaparral granddaughter of Dansino. He hails from the famous "Leica" family.

Colts by Zousain and Written By shared the third spot on the top sellers list when selling for $200,000 each.

The Zousain colt (Lot 31) is from the group performed Shaft mare Erin's Element and he was offered by Nolen Racing and sold to Hong Kong's Strike Thoroughbreds.

Just under an hour later it was Tal Nolen's son Shaun and wife Sam who sold their Written By colt from Mandalong Sera for $200,000 to Hancock Quality Bloodstock.

Tal Nolen, who was the leading vendor on the day, was rapt with his results across his draft.

"It's been a very, very good sale," Nolen commented. "Under the circumstances we are thrilled with the results."

"The lower to middle end of the market was very strong and credit to Magic Millions for having those buyers here to help push the market up from there."

"All in all it was a very good day," he added.

One vendor that has produced at Group One level in the past is Cameron and Kellie Bond's Kenmore Lodge and they again presented a nice draft today.

"We have cleared 100% again and that is always the plan for any vendor at a horse sale," Kenmore's Kellie Bond said.

"There was a good buying bench on hand and importantly that was across all levels of the market."

"We are looking forward to next year's sale already and I will specifically target some nice horses again in 2024."

Another regular vendor on the Gold Coast is Mel O'Gorman and the Tamworth based horsewoman was pleased with today's events.

"Magic Millions has done a fantastic job bringing in a diverse buying bench," O'Gorman commented. "There was an even spread of buyers and it helped the market."

"It was great to have representation from the likes of Korea, Thailand, China and the Philippines - this gave the sale great depth and real atmosphere."

Ash Glencross, who headed up the large draft from GlenX Lodge, enjoyed good results for herself and clients.

"We had a great result with the Press Statement selling for $100,000 and I'm very happy personally with my results today."

"There were a couple of nice horses passed in which we will work hard with Magic Millions to try and clear over the next couple of days - but all in all it was a good sale and the feedback we received was great," Glencross added.

Across the day over $5 million was traded on 83 lots sold at an average price of over $60,000 and impressive median of $42,000. The clearance rate is currently 75 per cent.

"Looking back at it, from the time bidding got underway and we sold a few horses, there was great confidence in the market and it was really, really genuine," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.

"We had a very diverse and vibrant market where many jurisdictions around Asia were playing part and I am delighted with most of the way the sale played out."

"We've got a professional group of vendors who were willing to meet the market and it's our job to provide pillars in the market and I think David (Chester) and Nicky (Wong) did a fantastic job finding new markets for us to have here and participate."

"I think that complemented what we had here from a domestic perspective and from Hong Kong," Bowditch added.

Article from Magic Millions

Will and the team have identified a well bred son of American Pharoah who we have trade aspirations with. The gelding is from the stakes winning mare So We Are. Shares are available in the gelding so if a potential trade is of interest to you, check him out HERE