Vendors of Gr1 winner Nettoyer and Samadoubt in their previous Inglis drafts, Riversdale Farm recently purchased Ashleigh to expand their operation and the two farms have teamed up for a combined draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
It’s not the first time Nick and Jas Hodges of Riversdale Farm have worked with Senga Bissett and Ivan Woodford-Smith of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds, with Nick having worked for Senga at the beginning of his career in horses, while the two farms have sold under the same banner on several occasions in the past.
“Senga suggested that we combine the two drafts this year as we’ve worked well together in the past,” said Nick Hodges of Riversdale Farm. “We were together as Southern Cross Breeders, and have come full circle for this sale. Combining with Ashleigh enhances both drafts, and we are thrilled to continue working with Ashleigh Farm, especially as this will be their final Classic sale.”
The combined draft will feature twenty-four yearlings by a large range of commercial stallions. “Overall, I’m very pleased with our offering.
It’s a cracking draft and we’ve always had good results at the Classic. We sold a very promising filly at the 2022 sale called Cherokee Miss who is already a two year-old winner on debut this season. She looks very exciting. This year’s draft includes a couple of nice Hellbent colts, a cracking Yes Yes Yes colt, and a couple of horses from New Zealand clients who have sent across some very high quality types. It’s a good mix of horses with a consistent quality.”
Proven Sires
Capitalist colt, Lot 584, is the second foal of winning mare Mahlia, who is a half-sister to stakes placed two year-old Wonderful You, from the family of Gr1 winner Bulla Borghese (dam of Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed Bound for Earth).
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A half-sister to Gr3 placed winner Anagain is Lot 379, a filly by Xtravagant, out of winning mare Doagain, who is a half-sister to the group placed two year-old winning dam of five-time Gr1 winner Eremein.
So You Think’s 46 stakes winners include nine Gr1 winners, and his yearling filly, Lot 812, is out of winning mare Molly Rocks, who has left five winners to date, and is a half-sister to the precocious stakes winners Silverstream, Calanda, and Speedy Natalie (dam of Sweet and Speedy).
Ocean Park has had a couple of brilliant seasons with Gr1 winners Tofane and Kolding in Australia and Riversdale/Ashleigh will offer two of his yearlings including Lot 28, a colt who is the first foal of a daughter of group winner and Gr1 placed Ruud Van Slaats, dam of three stakes horses including Geelong Classic-Listed placed winner Ocean’s Fourteen (Ocean Park). Lot 223 is a colt from a young winning half-sister to Listed winner and group placed Felaar who won four races and placed on 13 occasions from 44 starts.
Other proven sires represented in this draft are Astern (817), Epaulette (515), Headwater (777), and
Winning Rupert (708).
Up and Coming
Almanzor already has a Gr1 winner with his spring three year-olds, notably VRC Victoria Derby winner Manzoice, and his colt, Lot 480, is out of city winner of ten races, Holly Holy, from the family of Gr1 winner Helene Vitality. This is a strong winning family of sound horses who win multiple races.
Gr1 winner Hellbent’s oldest crop have just turned three and he is represented in this draft with three yearlings. The two colts include Lot 407, a colt who is the second foal of city winner Expertea, a half-sister to Gr3 winner Magic Chai. This colt is from the family of Gr1 winner Neroli. Lot 446, a colt who is the first foal of wining Zoustar mare Glamarama, a half-sister to stakes placed winner Enzed Girl, from the Tennessee family that includes Gr1 winner Malaguerra, Aloha, Cool Aza Beel and Seabrook. Hellbent filly, Lot 587, is the first foal of city winner Malmoosa who won seven races up to a mile from a tough colonial family.
Exciting Young Sires
A half-brother to Listed winner of five races Caipirinha (Nicconi), Lot 689 is a colt by second season sire Trapeze Artist, out of a half-sister to Gr3 winner Collate.
Two yearlings by The Everest winner and first season sire Yes Yes Yes include Lot 12 who is a colt from a dominant European family, and he is out of winning Redoute’s Choice mare, Rasala, who has left two winners,
and is from the family of Gr1 winner Best Solution (Caulfield Cup), Loving Dream, Workforce, Brian Boru, and El Bodegon.
Lot 296 is a filly out of city winner Buon Auspicio who won five races and whose first foal is a winner. Buon Auspicio is a half-sister to Listed winner La Chasseuse from the family of Vionnet, Cheverny, Fashion News, Academe, and Vionneto.
New Zealand Classic winner Embellish’s oldest crop have just turned two and his colt, Lot 359, is out of winning mare Dancing May who is a full sister to Gr1 winner Shadows in the Sun (Dane Shadow) and a half-sister to Listed winner Stone Canyon (Rubiton).
First season sire Cosmic Force has two yearlings in the Riversdale/Ashleigh draft including Lot 104 out of St Remy whose first foal Lethal Thoughts won his first start as a two year old last season and was only beaten one and a half lengths in the J.J.Atkins Gr 1. Lot 708 is a half-brother to Fox Fighter a multiple city winner and third in the listed Starlight Stakes this season. The Cosmic Force colt, Lot 614, is out of a half-sister to the stakes placed winning dam of Listed Blue Diamond Preview winner Mohave.
Brutal filly, Lot 21, who is the first foal of Rock the World, a winner of four races, three in succession, and who is a daughter of Gr3 winner Diamond Earth, from the family of group winner Bring Me Roses and Face Value.
A filly by second season sire The Autumn Sun, Lot 501, is out of a young half-sister to Gr1 winning sprinter Spright, and group placed two year-old winner Mine Two.
Other young stallions represented are D’Argento (703), Exceedance (385), and Written By (348).
The Riversdale/Ashley draft is an exciting one presented by breeders with proven record of winner production.