Situated in the Manning Valley at Wingham on the mid north coast of NSW, Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud has enjoyed success at the elite level since world champion sprinter Silent Witness put the farm on the map nearly 20 years ago.
Bred and sold by Ian Smith, the phenomenal achievements of Silent Witness in winning 18 of 29 starts including the Group I HK International Sprint twice in 2003 and 2004, sparked a passion for breeding thoroughbreds that continues to this day.
The success of Silent Witness encouraged Smith to invest in quality broodmares and infrastructure for the future allowing Edinburgh Park to become a serious boutique vendor at Australia’s premier yearling sales with the IKS brand recognized at racetracks right across Australia.
Current star performer to carry the IKS brand is Greg Hickman’s tough and talented sprinter Eleven Eleven, who has earned nearly $2.3million in prizemoney, which is ten times his purchase price of $230,000!
The five year-old gelding by Fastnet Rock is a regular at the Magic Millions race day in January having won the $2million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and then last year the $1million Magic Millions Cup with a return trip next Saturday likely to yield another big payday for his lucky owners!
Other highlight graduates for Edinburgh Park in recent times have been $1.2million earning Group II winner Rubisaki and super talented Group II winning colt Glenfiddich, who is on the comeback trail following a tendon injury.
Edinburgh Park will present a draft of 10 cracking yearlings in Book 1 by a mix of champion sires and newcomers with highlights below:
Lot 59 Colt Trapeze Artist x Fortune of War, by General Nediym
From the first crop of Champion 3YO Trapeze Artist and is a three-quarter brother to Group III placed Spoils from stakes-placed Fortune of War, a sibling to outstanding Group winners Sertorius, Pretty Brazen and Dollar for Dollar, who have all been placed in Group I races. Bred on very successful Snitzel (sire of Trapeze Artist) x General Nediym nick that has produced Group I winners I Am Excited and Sizzling.
Lot 342 Colt Snitzel x Our Crown Mistress, by Star Witness
First foal of two time Listed winner Our Crown Mistress, who won four races in succession and comes from the family of Champion Miler Racing to Win and Everest winner Classique Legend.
Lot 500 Filly Exceed and Excel x Serena Bay, by Sebring
Second foal of former smart 2YO Serena Bay, who won the Golden Gift, placed in the Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes and is from SW Caiguna. Her 2YO filly West of Africa (Not a Single Doubt) showed nice ability for the Annabel Neasham stable when given a soft trial to finish third at Canterbury on November 30.
Lot 675 Colt Written Tycoon x Waikato River (NZ), by Savabeel
A rare grey son of champion sire Written Tycoon. Half-brother to stakes-placed Spectacle, who has won twice since the catalogue went to print, most recently at Murray Bridge on New Year’s Day. Dam is a half-sister to Group winners Oceanex, Amexed and Miss Aotearoa.
Lot 576 Colt Harry Angel (IRE) x Sun Valley, by Commands
From the first crop of Champion European 3YO Sprinter Harry Angel. Second foal of a half-sister to Group II winner Tenley and Group III winner Biscayne Bay, who was third in the Group I VRC Oaks last spring. First foal of the dam is 2YO filly Frontenac (Hallowed Crown), who was third on debut for Godolphin at Geelong on Thursday. Traces in tail female line to blue hen Skating from the family of Golden Slipper winner Vancouver.
Lot 914 Colt Zoustar x Diminish, by Fastnet Rock
First foal of an unraced half-sister to seven time Group I winner and $7.2 million earning sprinter Buffering. Bred on successful Zoustar x Fastnet Rock nick that has 86% winners to runners highlighted by SW Persuader.
See the draft at Stable I 15-19, J 7-11.
