Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ian Smith, the proprietor of Edinburgh Park, will sell all of his bloodstock at next month’s Magic Millions National Sale. The successful and longtime breeder is hitting the reset button and plans to take as much time as is needed before plotting his next move.
Smith, who has been in the industry “a bloody long time”, remains passionate but has come to terms with his decision to step back.
“It’s a full dispersal and it’s the only transparent way of doing it,” Smith told TDN AusNZ “I’m hitting the reset button and this will allow me to have some time to myself. It’s all-consuming, the thoroughbred industry.
“I’ve been very successful in this industry and it’s been very good to me. I’m still very passionate, but right now for me, it’s a good time to clear the decks and reassess what I want to do.”
“I’ve been very successful in this industry and it’s been very good to me. I’m still very passionate, but right now for me, it’s a good time to clear the decks and reassess what I want to do.” - Ian Smith
The unreserved dispersal will feature 63 lots (23 weanlings and 40 race fillies or broodmares).
The draft will include a dozen stakes-performed mares, everything from young stakes winners, blue-blooded mares and proven stakes producers, including Nothin But A Dream (USA) (First Defence {USA}) - the dam of the Group 2 winner and Aquis Farm sire Glenfiddich.
Serena Bay (Sebring), who has thrown the two-time winner West Of Africa (Not A Single Doubt) and R. Listed placegetter Summer Loving (Exceed And Excel), will also be sold, as will Dublin Lass (O’Reilly {NZ}) - a dual Listed victress who is in foal to Glenfiddich.
Dublin Lass | Image courtesy of Sportpix
There’s also the Listed scorer Fill The Page (Dane Shadow), who is the dam of the Group 3 victor Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}). She missed and is ready to be covered this spring.
And Lady Naturaliste (Choisir) - a stakes-winning filly at two. She is in foal to Street Boss (USA).
“Everything, including my better mares, will be there. There’s black-type everywhere,” said Smith.
“Everything, including my better mares, will be there. There’s black-type everywhere.” - Ian Smith
“I’ve spent years and years building the broodmare band up and I’ve been able to breed some tremendous horses.
“There’s a lot of young mares in foal to top stallions. There’s seven in foal to Harry Angel, there’s three very young mares in foal to Maurice, mares in foal to Zoustar, Street Boss and So You Think.
“It also gives the market the opportunity to send them to the stallion of their choice. They’re good, young, healthy mares and they’re proven.”
Gerald Ryan and Ian Smith | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“In terms of the weanlings, they’re at a very elite level, they’re quality animals and this gives the market the chance to sink their teeth into them.”
Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, said the Edinburgh Park Unreserved Dispersal “presents an incredible opportunity for buyers”.
“Smithy is one of the country’s most astute and successful breeders and the weanlings, fillies and mares to go under the hammer are the fruits of his years of hard work and investment,” said Bowditch.
“Smithy is one of the country’s most astute and successful breeders and the weanlings, fillies and mares to go under the hammer are the fruits of his years of hard work and investment.” - Barry Bowditch
“We have a world-class catalogue for the 2023 National Sale and we can’t wait to welcome vendors and buyers to the Gold Coast next month.”
Selling will commence with the National Weanling Sale on May 18, with the Edinburgh Park weanlings to be offered at the conclusion of Day 1.
The National Broodmare Sale kicks off on Tuesday, May 23, with the Edinburgh Park fillies and mares up for unreserved sale to round out that day’s action.
