There was no more improved horse in 2023 than outstanding sprinter Think About It, who started in January with a Benchmark 72 win and finished as a dual Group I winning Everest hero and his half-brother by Wootton Bassett (GB ) was a star attraction at Magic Millions on Wednesday and duly sold for $900,000.
Bred by Tasmanian based Grenville Stud, who purchased his dam Tiare for $150,000 from Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2021, the star colt was the subject of keen bidding and was bought by Tom Magnier for $900,000.
Sadly for Grenville Stud, they lost Tiare last year and this colt is her final foal, so his sale brings to an end the roller coast ride they have enjoyed over the past 12 months.
“We’re just lucky we had a horse like this and he turned out such a nice horse,” said Graeme McCulloch, who has three horses at the Gold Coast with his son Bart.
“I’m glad Coolmore have got him, he’ll get every chance there and hopefully he does well on the track and they stand him at stud.
“It’s just a relief to have him sold now and we don’t have to worry about them.
“It’s a big effort, they travelled very well (from Tasmania), but there’s a lot of work behind the scenes, looking after them over winter when it’s wet and cold. There’s a lot of work that goes on.”
His half-brother Think About It has won 11 of 13 starts earning over $11million in prizemoney, so this colt has some big shoes to fill and Tom Magnier was thrilled to add him to the Coolmore list of purchases and was quick to praise Graeme McCulloch and his team.
“They’re lovely people, great breeders and in fairness they had that horse looking fantastic all week,” Magnier said.
“We’re delighted for them to get a result like that.
“He’s great-natured and he did a great performance out the back ring.”
The first of the Wootton Bassett stock have been warmly received in Australia and there are many more to be offered in coming days including a star filly in the Coolmore draft from nine time Group I winner Avantage.
“Whatever he (Wootton Bassett) touches seems to turn to gold,” Magnier said.
“He got great support at the farm, we loved the types, we’re selling a lovely filly later in the week out of Avantage and we couldn’t be any happier with the way he’s going.
“Fingers crossed he kicks the same goals down here that he does in Europe.”
