Reigning G1 Epsom Handicap winner and stallion prospect Ellsberg will be offered in a boutique online auction on Inglis Digital next week.
A winner of $3.3m with nine wins and 10 minor placings to date, Ellsberg has been a remarkably consistent commodity throughout his racing career.
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Ellsberg – a winner of four Stakes races to date - claimed his first G1 placing when finishing 3rd behind Cascadian and Tofane in last year’s All Aged Stakes.
On that occasion, he had a host of top-class horses in arrears including Mo’unga, Laws Of Indices, Zoutori, Overpass, Forbidden Love, In The Congo, Hungry Heart, Sierra Sue, Kolding and Shout The Bar.
It was last Spring when he achieved his ultimate honour so far when dead heating for 1st in the time honoured G1 Epsom Handicap over 1600m at Randwick, defeating the likes of Icebath, Nimalee, Hinged, Fangirl etc.
His Epsom Handicap win was part of a dream Spring for Ellsberg, which also saw him win the $2m Five Diamonds – breaking the Rosehill track record for 1800m that had stood for 25 years - leading to a Timeform rating of 121, higher than the likes of recent 4YO+ horses to retire to stud like Wild Ruler, Jonker, Dirty Work, Portland Sky etc.
Ellsberg (pictured) has since been spelled and will be offered for sale as a racing and breeding prospect.
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In 2022, five of the top 10 sires in Australia were horses that had won a G1 over 1600m or beyond while in New Zealand, that extends to eight of the top 10 stallions.
Throughout his career to date Ellsberg has defeated the likes of G1 gallopers including Forbidden Love, Private Eye, Icebath, Nimalee, Fangirl, Lighthouse, Cascadian, Converge, Zoutori, Mo’Unga, In The Congo, Hinged, Hungry Heart, Sierra Sue, Kolding, Shout The Bar, Media Award, Kukeracha, Aegon, Laws Of Indices etc.
Part owner Kevan Wacey described Ellsberg as “a magnificent, big, strong horse’’.
“When people watch the videos of him or come and inspect him in person, they’ll understand what I mean when I say he’s just the most magnificent specimen, such an imposing physical yet with such a calm demeanour,’’ Wacey said.
“He’s extremely brave, he’s always been a horse that’s raced up on the speed and just keeps going. Just when you think he can’t keep going any more, he finds again, he has this brilliant will power and I think that trait bodes well for a future stallion career.’’
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said the opportunity to secure a ready-made stallion was one not to be missed.
“For a start, he’s a really beautiful horse and it’s telling that he was extremely popular at the sales as both a weanling and a yearling,’’ Hutch said.
“Like tends to beget like and if that’s the case with Ellsberg, he’ll breed very good-looking stock.
“He is a thoroughly likeable horse – tough and honest with an abundance of talent and a fantastic attitude.
“In terms of pedigree, he brings together the Danehill sire line through two great stallions in Redoute’s Choice and Snitzel, with another pure speed influence in General Nediym in a combination that looks most appealing.’’
‘The Ellsberg Sale’ will go live on inglisdigital.com at 3pm today, with bidding to open from 9am Tuesday.
The final countdown of bidding will begin from 4pm Thursday (March 30).
Ellsberg is available for inspection at Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Rosehill stables.
To organise an inspection, contact Gerald Ryan on 0419 394 419.
To view a promotional video of Ellsberg CLICK HERE.
