News

Countdown to Easter

20th Mar 2006

The countdown to the Australian Easter Yearling Sale 2006 is well and truly on with the first lots due through the ring in just four weeks time.

This year’s catalogue features 492 outstanding individuals, bidding to follow the path trodden by the countless high-flying Easter graduates dominating top events this season.

In the first of a series of profiles we take a look at the Cornish family’s fledgling Torryburn Stud operation, which this year showcases its largest Easter draft ever. A total of twelve yearlings will be sent up from the 650acre spread, which sits in an idyllic setting fronting the Allyn River in Patterson Valley, New South Wales.

Torryburn principal John Cornish bought the farm as a going concern on his retirement in 2002 and this year will be his third season selling at Easter.

“I think all the vendors hope this year will be exciting and Inglis have certainly been putting in the hard work getting the overseas buyers here,” says Cornish. “I certainly think the catalogue has gone up in quality and we’ve got a cracking set of yearlings to offer, but to be honest we’re just flattered to be in there.”

Cornish runs about 120 mares on the property, of which half are the Torryburn broodmare band. Among the twelve yearlings offered, eight are Torryburn bred and raised, with the remaining four consigned on behalf of clients.

Cornish is particularly excited about lot 478, which he feels could be particularly appealing to Hong Kong buyers. The colt is by Fusaichi Pegasus, sire of Floral Pegasus - one of the best racehorses seen for sometime in Hong Kong, out of the Danehill mare Presumed Innocent a full-sister to talented Hong Kong galloper Dr More.

“He’s really exceptional, very very correct,” says Cornish. “We’d be pretty hopeful for him, especially as his dam is a full sister to Dr More.”

The Cornish family have been racing together for over 30-years and one of their most recent successes is a former Easter graduate, Crimson Reign, bought for $260,000 at the 2003 sale.

The stakes-winning Red Ransom filly will retire to the Torryburn paddocks at the end of her career, but one of this year’s yearlings bears a strong resemblance to his current stable star according to Cornish.

It is not surprisingly to hear therefore, that the filly (lot 471) is by Red Ransom, out of the Last Tycoon mare Pink Mogul.

“She’s really special,” he says of the filly. “She really reminds me of Crimson Reign when she was a yearling - I hope she goes on to run like her!”

Another lot he is sweet on is also a filly, this time by Choisir out of Ritual, catalogued as lot 15. “She’s just perfect in her conformation, and she’s strong, she’s sure to be a good early type,” says Cornish.