Million dollar yearlings always have a story and while Gilgai Farm were basking in the glory of selling their stunning Toronado (IRE) colt from Hardly Surprising for $1million at Inglis Premier this week, up in Queensland Basil Nolan and his family at Raheen Stud were also feeling the joy.
The Nolan’s bred and sold his dam Hardly Surprising as a yearling at the Magic Millions back in 2016 and were thrilled when the first crop daughter of All Too Hard was bought by a great judge in Dermot Farrington for $250,000 and went on to race for Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm.
She duly became a winner and picked up valuable Black Type with a third placing in the Group III MVRC Alexandra Stakes and is now obviously making her mark at stud, while her dam Annamarie is still going strong for Raheen Stud and will turn 21 this year.
Bred by Darley in the days when they were selling yearlings, Annamarie went through Inglis Easter back in 2006 and the daughter of Elusive Quality (USA) made $200,000 to the bid of Katsumi Yoshida and two years later popped up in the Magic Millions National Broodmare where Raheen Stud saw value and picked her up for $50,000.
A half-sister to the dam of Group I winner Tuvalu, Annamarie comes from a first class European female family tracing to influential producer Anna Matrushka, whose Group I winning descendants include Epsom Derby winner Adayar and Aussie stars Helmet and Epaulette.
Given the quality of her pedigree, it’s no surprise Annamarie has done a sterling job for Raheen Stud leaving eight named foals, seven of which have raced and six are winners that include stakes-placed Weinholt, Hardly Surprising and See Marie, a Sebring mare that was also retained by the Nolan’s.
“Annamarie has been such a wonderful producer for Raheen and we have retained her 2022 Bivouac filly (since named Swanfels) and she is currently in work with Kelly Schweida,” said Basil Nolan.
“She has a good colt at foot by our young stallion Top Ranked and is in foal to Zoustar.
“We also retained See Marie and she ended up winning six races and was stakes-placed too. She produced a Zoustar colt in 2024 and is now in foal to Anamoe.”
Raheen Stud will present 24 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale next Monday and Tuesday including 15 by the farm’s own sire Heroic Valour, click to see the full draft with highlights below:
Lot 157 Colt Pierata x Chickaletta, by Redoute’s Choice
By promising young sire Pierata, now given every opportunity at Yulong in Victoria. Half-brother to a winner from an unraced three-quarter sister to Group II winner Oak Door and daughter of stakes-winner Beyonce’s Star from the family of Group I winner and G1 sire Super Seth.
Lot 201 Filly Spirit of Boom x Flying Riane, by Barely a Moment
By leading Queensland sire Spirit of Boom and dam has done a super job with four foals to race all winners including metro winners Fleet Dove and Aanvoerder. From the family of Group I winners Ofcourseican and Gimmethegreenlight as well as Group winners Gregers, Girl Guide and Persan.
Lot 277 Colt Graff x Lady Lark, by Golden Archer
From the second crop of fast Group winning sprinter Graff, already the sire of smart winner Grafterburners. Third foal of a fast metro winner from an imported female family tracing back to Group II Del Mar Oaks winner Suivi.
Lot 309 Filly Better Than Ready x Maputo Express, by Lonhro
By leading Queensland sire Better Than Ready and is half-sister to a winner from a winning daughter of champion sire Lonhro tracing back to Group I AJC Australian Oaks winner Savana City.
Lot 346 Colt Heroic Valour x Next Chapter, by Golden Archer
Second foal of a winning half-sister to Group III winner Chapter and Verse and to the dam of Group II winner Cifrado and stakes-winner Miami Fleiss with this family also producing Group III winner Boomsara.
