Mitho’s magic market
GNARWARRE breeding powerhouse Rosemont Stud is celebrating an “unbelievable” week, selling the majority of its yearlings for good money at the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast.
The stud sold 17 out of the 20 yearlings that featured in the sale’s book one, with an average sale price of $260,000.
A Fastnet Rock colt x Irish Nova topped the charts for the Anthony Mithen-led breeding operation, knocked down for $520,000. Mithen also had Sebring and Snitzel colts surpassing the $400,000 barrier.
“It was unbelievable,” Mithen said. “It was our best sale ever, actually. All in all there were 17 really nice horses that hit a chord with the buyers.”
Mithen said he had always expected the striking Fastnet Rock colt making it past $500,000.
“The Sebring (x Swing Sensation) was the one we had for half that,” Mithen said of the colt’s $420,000 final sale price.
“He paraded like a superstar and the main buyers came back and kept looking at him.
“He appealed to that Hong Kong market and that’s where he has ended up.”
Rosemont also sold five out of the six horses that featured in the sale’s book two.
While the Fastnet Rock was also purchased by Asian connections, Mithen said he expected the horse to stay and race in Australia.
MEANWHILE, Mithen said he was hopeful that Rosemont’s good run could continue with True Excelsior running in the Group 1 Telegraph at Trentham in New Zealand this weekend.
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained speedster arrived in New Zealand early on Sunday morning to prepare for Saturday’s 1200m feature sprint in Wellington.
“It’s fair to say the Group 1 sprints in New Zealand aren't quite at the level as our Group 1 sprints,” said Mithen.
“Hopefully she can measure up and get it done.”
Melbourne jockey Stephen Baster will make the trip across the Tasman to ride True Excelsior. He has ridden the mare in eight of her past nine starts and was happy to continue his association with the sprinter who finished third in the Group 3 Standish Handicap at Flemington at her most recent start to confirm plans for The Telegraph.
The New Zealand race is an opportunity for the multiple stakes-placed mare to chase a valuable Group 1 win.
“It’s definitely a bit left-field but I think both her runs back have been super,” Baster said. “I think she deserves her chance.