Written by Bren O'Brien
Each day of the Sale, TDN AusNZ will find a 'value buy', where an opportunity has been spotted - even in this hot sale market.
Vinnie filly a 'steal' for Malua
Malua Racing Bloodstock Manager Rohan Aujard was left scratching his head as to how he was able to secure Lot 24, the filly by I Am Invincible out of Exselva (Exceed And Excel) offered by Manx Park for $130,000, on the opening day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Axe (Written Tycoon), the filly is also a full sister to Sightseer, the colt who sold for $410,000 to China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock at this Sale 12 months ago and has since joined the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
Lot 24 - I Am Invincible x Exselva (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Axe, who was placed in a Listed Eye Liner S., was a $340,000 Magic Millions graduate himself, while an earlier sister to Lot 24, Ajeeta, secured $250,000 as a yearling back in 2014. Exselva, who was unraced, was herself a $450,000 Magic Millions graduate back in 2008.
From a residual point of view, she is also a filly who should carry her value beyond her racing days with blue hen Fanfreluche(Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}) featuring as her fourth dam.
That is a family of considerable global success, with champion Australian sires Encosta De Lago and Flying Spur featuring along with Group 1 winners Pear Tart (Dehere {USA}), Russian Revolution and two Group 1 winners by I Am Invincible, I Am A Star (NZ) and Home Affairs.
When she found her way onto the shortlist of Aujard and Malua Racing trainer Troy Corstens ahead of the Sale, they never dreamed they could get her at such a price.
Rohan Aujard | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"She's a typical Vinnie filly. We liked her, she was on our shortlist and we couldn't believe that we could get her for that price," Aujard said.
"Occasionally that happens, and you can get one like that which falls through the cracks."
Aujard said she had ticked all the boxes for Malua Racing and perhaps fate had just played its part.
"She cleared all the vet checks and all that sort of stuff. There was nothing wrong with her. She wasn't the biggest of fillies, but that isn't unusual. We are just rapt," he said.
"She (Lot 24) cleared all the vet checks and all that sort of stuff. There was nothing wrong with her. She wasn't the biggest of fillies, but that isn't unusual. We are just rapt." - Rohan Aujard
Aujard expects she should make quick progress when she arrives at the operation's Victorian base.
"I think she should go early. She's an August foal and she should make pretty quick progress," he said.
That aligns with the pre-Sale comments of Manx Park's Peta Tilden.
"She's a beautiful filly, you could put a saddle on her tomorrow and she looks like she is ready to run now. She's got that Flying Spur and Encosta connection in her third dam, so she is pretty well-bred," Tilden said.
Peta Tilden | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Carrying such a strong pedigree, and a close connection to the likes of Home Affairs, was another reason for Aujard and his team to celebrate with consideration of her long-term value.
"You just have to look back and see that her full brother made over $400,000 here last year," he said. "We are not complaining, we are very lucky."
Manx Park will be represented by Golden Artie (Artie Schiller {USA}), who was bred by Spendthrift Australia but is a graduate from its draft at this Sale last year, in Saturday's R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
