News

Inglis graduates start 2021 with a bang on the international stage

1st Jan 2021

The likes of Merchant Navy, Beat The Clock, Southern Legend, Atyaab, Crown Prosecutor, Age Of Fire and others have contributed to Inglis graduates enjoying outstanding international success in recent years and a pair of high-class winners on Friday in New Zealand and Hong Kong respectively, look to have the potential to earn their stripes as G1 winners in due course.

At Ellerslie, lightly-raced 3YO colt Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock x Affairoftheheart) claimed a first group win with a stylish performance in the G2 Auckland Guineas over 1600m.

The Lance O’Sullivan/Andrew Scott trainee was bringing up a rare double for owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds, with the combination having been responsible for last year’s winner Dragon Leap, also an Easter Yearling Sale graduate.

Rocket Spade (pictured) was purchased at the Easter Yearling Sale by Hermitage Thoroughbreds/Wexford Stables for $425,000 from the draft of Tyreel Stud, who presented the colt on behalf of his breeder, Sun Stud.

“He was always a really nice colt with plenty of size and real quality,” said Sun Stud Sales & Nominations Manager Phil Marshall.

“The guys on the farm would tell you that he was tough – he could be a real handful – but I think that tough mentality has stood him in really good stead and will continue to.

“Many noted that, for a big horse, he was really light on his feet as a yearling and hopefully he can progress all the way to the top from here.

“We have developed a really strong broodmare band and are breeding nice horses year after year, but we are running it as a business and that means that there are times when horses are sold that you might rather have kept and Rocket Spade was one of those, but we are delighted for his owners and will certainly enjoy following him,” concluded Marshall.

The G1 New Zealand Derby was highlighted as a target for Rocket Spade post-race and he will be looking to join Ole Kirk, Personal, September Run and Montefilia as G1-winning 3YO Inglis graduates this season.

At Sha Tin, talented 5YO Champion’s Way (Hinchinbrook x Greta’s Yarn) claimed his 7th Hong Kong win in the G3 Challenge Cup over 1400m to take his earning past A$2.3m.

The John Size trainee was purchased from the draft of Holbrook Thoroughbreds by John Foote at the Premier Yearling Sale for $150,000.

“He was always my pick – a standout colt that year,” said Holbrook’s Julie Harris.

“I really liked the fact that he was a very good mover and while I knew he would sell well, it’s always a nice compliment when someone like John Foote buys a horse from the draft,” added Harris.

Inglis auctions are the leading Australian source of winners in Hong Kong, with graduates accumulating over 650 race wins since 2018.

Catalogues for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (February 7-9) and the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale (February 28 – March 2) are now available online.

For more information visit Inglis.com.au or contact a member of the Inglis Bloodstock Team and to request a catalogue, email catalogue@inglis.com.au.

Photo credit: Trish Dunell.