While Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher grabbed the headlines at the opening session of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, they were far from the only contingent of Australians opening their wallets.
Australian Bloodstock, Anthony Freedman, Annabel Neasham/Bennett Racing, Ontrack Thoroughbreds, Busuttin & Young, Darby Racing, and Matthew Smith Racing were all active on Day 1.
Badgers Bloodstock / Anthony Freedman Racing teamed up to purchase Park House Stables Gleneagles gelding Cadmus (IRE) for 160,000gns.
A 3yo half-brother to stakes-winner Ebeko, Cadmus scored a timely win over a mile and a half at Ascot on September 30 at his third start for Andrew Balding.
Besides their session-topping purchases (see the story here), Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Mulcaster Bloodstock / Chris Waller chipped in with a pair of 130,000gns geldings.
The Maher purchase was the Listed winner and Group III placed Charterhouse (Charming Thought), while the in-form Postwick (Postponed) will be heading to the Waller stable after a win at Newbury and a second at Newmarket.
Blandford Bloodstock / Bennett / Annabel Neasham Racing landed the Zoffany (IRE) gelding Fawkner Park for 120,000gns.
Fawkner Park had two notable updates since the catalogue was printed.
He broke his maiden at start three on the all-weather at Dundalk by six and a half-lengths two weeks after his half-brother Saracen Knight won the Group II Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield.
Two other purchases heading to Australia broke the 100,000 guineas barrier.
Blandford Bloodstock / Ontrack Thoroughbreds paid 100,000gns for Space Tracker (Havana Gold). The 3yo gelding won three of his first four starts for Richard Hughes before disappointing in his last two.
De Burgh Equine / Darby Racing also went to 100,000 to secure the Galileo colt Fleet Commander whose pedigree is instantly recognisable.
The former Ballydoyle inmate is a brother to Russian Emperor, a dual Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, out of Fastnet Rock’s champion daughter Atlantic Jewel.
Placed in three of his six starts, Fleet Commander most recently finished a safe six and and a half length second at Dundalk to the previously mentioned Fawkner Park.
