Magic Millions buzz building
NEXT week’s annual Tasmanian Magic Millions yearling sale has the potential to produce record results.
The excitement surrounding the first crop of yearlings by former star galloper Alpine Eagle has sent a buzz through the industry with interest from interstate buyers likely to be at its highest.
Armidale Stud added Alpine Eagle to its stallion roster two years ago and from the yearlings that have already been paraded by this former star sprinter-miler it might be difficult for local buyers to secure one, unless they are prepared to pay a premium price.
Top SA trainer Tony McEvoy trained Alpine Eagle and he has enlisted bloodstock guru Damon Gabeddy to cast his eye over the entire Alpine Eagle draft as well as others in which the astute mentor had shown interest.
“I’m coming down for the sale because I couldn’t miss seeing Alpine Eagle’s first crop go under the hammer because, in my mind, he was a sensational racehorse that was destined to be a leading sire,” McEvoy said. “Damon has been in Tasmania doing all of the leg work and I will be there next Monday and I will no doubt be aiming to secure one or more of his progeny.”
Armidale also stands Needs Further that produced last season’s three-year-old sensation Mystic Journey.
This year’s catalogue is arguably the best Tasmanian draft in years with 146 lots to pass through the sale ring with the last lot (146) a striking filly by Alpine Eagle from the Northern Meteor mare Funloving likely to attract plenty of attention.
Another Alpine Eagle filly sure to create spirited bidding is lot 37 — Must Be Mink’s first foal, from former stakesplaced mare Di’s Angel which was trained by John Blacker.
There are more Alpine Eagle yearlings at the sale than any other sire, with Needs Further having only half that number in the draft.
“We really concentrated on sending a high number of our mares to Alpine Eagle last season and as a result, Needs Further will not be as strongly represented this year. But the quality is definitely there,” Armidale Stud supremo David Whishaw said.
The much-acclaimed Deep Field has only one in the catalogue, a well put together bay filly from the Viscount mare Royal Lineup that will be offered by Waterford Livestock at Latrobe. Yearlings can be viewed at the Inveresk sale complex from Friday or earlier by appointment with the vendors or selling agents.