Already the winner of the Group I BTC Cup and Group I VRC Darley Classic in
2016, Malaguerra won the Group II MVRC Australia Stakes in January and has
pocketed over $1.6 million in stakes. Malaguerra resumed in last Friday night's Group I Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley and, despite finishing midfield, he clearly impressed his camp.
Stable spokesman, Manny Gelagotis, said this week: "We were very happy with Malaguerra's run and I thought he was very unlucky, particularly as he had to come from the widest barrier.
"Despite the adverse conditions, he hit the line strongly and now it's full steam ahead to the ($1 million Group One) Manikato Stakes on 27 October and, all things being equal, he'll repeat the dose in the Darley Classic two weeks later.
"Malaguerra is a terrific horse to train and typical of the Magnus breed. We also trained Mr Pago, who won three races for us, while looking ahead, we've got a Magnus colt from Lady Knockout that was purchased for $145,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier this year.
"He's a full brother to Missy Cummings who won three of her only four starts including a stakes race in Sydney and the brother is already showing us a lot of promise."
After covering a career high of 178 mares in 2016, Magnus is currently working
his way through another quality book of mares, according to Sun Stud's Sales
& Nominations Manager, Phil Marshall. "He (Magnus) has a tremendous fan base and when you look at his stats, it's not hard to work out why," Marshall enthused.
"Malaguerra is one of four 'millionaires' that Magnus has produced, while his consistency is incredible: he's been a top 20 sire by winners and earnings for the past three seasons and his progeny have recorded 20 stakes victories in the last two years.
"Breeders really like the fact that Magnus has a phenomenal 70% winners to runners - truly an incredible figure - while his winners' average earnings index is $111,233.
"People like to support a stallion that gives them a better chance of return on investment and, importantly, his progeny sold up to $215,000 in 2017.
"Perhaps the most compelling drawcard for Magnus though is not a 'statistic' as such, but an observation from a recent Caulfield meeting - in successive races he had Duke of Brunswick (7 wins, multiple stakes placed, $500,915), Malibu Style (dual stakes winner of $429,125) and Magnapal (dual stakes winner of $476,155) representing him - speed horses and horses that can run a trip. And he clearly has a knack of upgrading his mares."
Magnus stands this season at Sun Stud Victoria at a fee of $22,000 inc. GST. For further information, please phone Phil Marshall 0407 853 782, Adam Henry 0428 036 472 or Ash Richards 0416 334 338.
