News

PILLAR OF HERCULES REMAINS WITH PETER MOODY

1st Nov 2007

Not since the great Shannon was sold at auction has a single horse attracted as much attention as when Pillar Of Hercules was sold at public auction by William Inglis & Son Ltd at Caulfield Racecourse this morning.

A healthy crowd was in attendance and when auctioneer Peter Heagney completed his preamble he was rewarded with an opening bid of $1.1 million from Sydney based bloodstock agent Dean Watt.

Some rapid-fire exchanges followed between four parties. The final duel was between Watt and Rob Waterhouse, on the phone to wife Gai in Sydney, who had no answer to Watt’s final offer of $1.8 million.

A delighted Watt confirmed the colt was purchased on behalf of a syndicate whose principal owner was based in Melbourne “We think he is very well bought and we’re naturally delighted.” Watt said, confirming that Pillar Of Hercules will stay in training with Peter Moody whose wife Sarah will retain a 10% stake in the horse.

Watt confirmed later that he had more money to spend if necessary “People give $2 million for yearlings with no guarantee, this horse is proven with great potential as a future stallion prospect that any healthy elite stud in Australia would want to stand.”

Pillar Of Hercules will race on Saturday in the L.K.S Mackinnon Stakes in the familiar Dynamic Syndications colours. “Anything tomorrow is a bonus - after that he goes to the paddock to prepare for the Autumn.” Plans call for Pillar Of Hercules to target the Sydney Classic next Autumn and Watt is hoping that the colt can return in the Spring for a tilt at the Cox Plate Caulfield double.

“I like to think his history adds to his charisma,” Watt said. “He is a great looking colt with a lovely pedigree so he’s got it all ahead of him. If he wins a Group One race he’s probably worth $10 million.”

Watt praised the way today’s auction was conducted “This was exceptionally professional as a bloke whose been around sales for 26 years I have never seen anything so transparent. We love working with Peter Moody he is a great trainer and looks after my clients particularly well.”

“We are delighted to have been able to turn around a sale such as this and achieve an excellent result for all concerned,” said William Inglis & Son Managing Director Mark Webster. “We wish the new connections all the very best with Pillar Of Hercules and look forward to seeing him race in the future.”