An outstanding Chairman's Sale Racing Prospects was highlighted by a $1million price tag for 3YO Fastnet Rock colt Siege of Quebec in Sydney tonight.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Aquis Farm purchased the multiple Stakes-placed colt at a function of more than 300 people at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which kick-started the biggest fortnight of thoroughbred auctions in the southern hemisphere.
Siege of Quebec was one of the three Lots offered at the sale – all by James Harron Bloodstock – all of which sold on the night.
The other two were Exceed And Excel colt Almighty, which sold to Dan Meagher Racing, Singapore, for $250,000 and Snitzel colt Hypnotist which sold to Hong Kong interests for $250,000.
Siege of Quebec will continue racing in Australia for Waterhouse and Bott.
Harron, who sold the top Lot at last year's inaugural Chairman's Sale with Gunnison, described the sale's concept as "something I truly believe in''.
"It's a new concept, a new sale, but all in all it's been a fantastic success, we've move three horses on to new owners and we'll be giving the biggest and loudest cheers to the new owners,'' Harron said.
"This is a sale I believe in long term in Australia. People will look back on these results and say there was some very good buying here tonight.
"Like any new thing you've got to support the concept you believe in and I'm sure this will continue to grow and continue to be a big success in years to come.''
Shane McGrath from Aquis Farm was thrilled with the purchase of Siege of Quebec.
"I've admired the horse all the way through his racing career and when Adrian [Bott] suggested Aquis get involved in his future, we were more than happy to do so,'' McGrath said.
"We're always happy to back any trainer that supports us and we're looking forward to being involved in hopefully seeing Siege of Quebec becoming a Group 1 winner in the near future.''
Tonight's sale began what is the biggest fortnight of thoroughbred auctions in the Southern Hemisphere.
Next up is the crème de la crème of the Australasian sales season, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables from April 9-11.
A total of 534 Lots have been catalogued for the sale, which will run for three days starting this coming Monday.
Inspections for the Easter Sale continue tomorrow morning.
To view the Easter parade schedule,CLICK HERE.
To view the Easter catalogue,CLICK HERE.
Following the Easter Yearling Sale, the Chairman's Sale Breeding Prospects takes place on Thursday April 12, also at Riverside Stables.
Over 200 Lots have been catalogued for the sale including five Group 1 winners, 39 Stakes winners, elite weanlings, stallion shares, proven producers such as the dams of Pinot (Dizelle, in foal to Flying Artie), Catkins (Salix Caprea, in foal to Capitalist) and Hong Kong star Nothingilikemore (Katisam, in foal to Vancouver), plus quality mares in foal to the likes of Frankel, Snitzel, I Am Invincible, American Pharoah, Capitalist, Written Tycoon, Not A Single Doubt, Divine Prophet and Rubick.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
The big fortnight concludes with the Australian Broodmare & Weanling Sale from April 15-17, where a catalogue of 649 quality weanlings, race fillies and broodmares will be offered.
Supplementary entries for the Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sales close tomorrow, Friday April 6 at 10am.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
