Coolmore’s faith in the Australian thoroughbred industry has been demonstrated time and again since its involvement commenced almost four decades ago. During that period the farm has been home to some of the giants of the breed, British and European Classic winners, American Derby winners and triple crown winners, spearheaded by Danehill and High Chaparral, with Australian breeders having had the unparalleled opportunity to breed to these wonderful sires and to buy and sell their yearlings at the annual round of sales.
Coolmore’s offering at the 2022 Magic Millions sees the continuation of this policy, as they will offer the first crop of yearlings by two of the best credentialled sires ever to stand in Australia, Justify and Saxon Warrior.
Q. How would you describe your 2022 MMGC draft?
The yearlings are currently in the early stages of their preparations for the sale in January, and we are buoyed by the quality of the stock that we will offer at the Magic Millions. Once again, we will present an outstanding draft of horses with representation by a well-balanced blend of proven, up-and-coming and highly exciting young sires. As per previous years, the Coolmore Australia draft for 2022 will encompass quality stock to suit all budgets and personal preferences.
Q. Coolmore have enjoyed great results with their graduates of the MMGC sale. What are some recent highlights for horses reared at Coolmore?
Everything that we do on the farm at Coolmore Australia is with the ultimate aim of producing elite athletes to excel on the track in the future, and we follow our graduates with great interest. The pastures and our staff at Coolmore are second-to-none and this has shown in the results on the track in recent years. This year our graduates success has been highlighted by the deeds of the likes of Avantage, The Inferno, Rocha Clock, Fangirl, Saif, Persan and many others.
Obviously the great Winx was raised and grazed on the farm and went through our 2013 Magic Millions yearling draft, however some other highlights from our recent Magic Millions offerings include Group 1 winners Vancouver, Sherwood Forest and Winning Ways and Stakes winners such as Rock and Love Tap.
Q. Your draft features the highly anticipated first crop yearlings by Triple Crown winner Justify. They were very well received at the weanling sales, how have they progressed?
It is incredibly exciting to be offering the first Australian-bred Justify yearlings to the market, particularly given the quality of the individuals that we have on offer. For us, Justify is the most highly anticipated sire that we have ever offered to the Australian market, and the support he has received in his formative years has been unparalleled. It is so pleasing for us the physical qualities of the Justify yearlings has matched the quality of the mares he has covered. At the Magic Millions alone we offer the progeny of Global Glamour, Savvy Coup, The Party Stand, Eckstein, Lake Geneva and a sibling to Pohutukawa. Three years ago we set out to purchase the best quality mares that would be suitable candidates for Justify and we are very pleased with the way that they have progressed through each stage of their development.
Q. Justify was a horse of extremely rare ability. What are some common characteristics of his stock and why do you think Australian owners and trainers will be drawn to them?
Any horse that wins the US Triple Crown obviously has to be an exceptionally talented horse, however he is the only Triple Crown winner ever to retire undefeated. In his six-start career, he won four Group 1 races and was never headed. The mixture of his blistering speed and stamina will serve him well in Australia, and he has thrown his immense strength and power into his yearlings. Across the board, they have great hips and hindquarters, forearms and gaskins and plenty of bone, which will surely appealto local trainers. His progeny look tough and hardy, which is very encouraging to see and we are supremely confident that they will thrive in Australian conditions.
Q. Saxon Warrior is a sire with great credentials for success in Australia. Why do you think his progeny will be successful in Australia?
Saxon Warrior is one of the fastest and most precocious sons of the great Deep Impact, and is a Guineas winner out of a Galileo mare just like Night Of Thunder who has been very successful in Australia from limited opportunities. Saxon Warrior won two Group 1 races in his first four starts as a two and three-year-old over a mile, beating four-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion on each occasion. He is one of the best sons of Deep Impact, and we have seen the continued power of the Japanese-bred horses continue this year, with top-flight winners throughout the world, including the emergence of Maurice in Australia.
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