Ellis Swoops on $625,000 Written Tycoon Colt

Media Release - Sunday January 24

Te Akau Principal David Ellis has purchased the last five Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winners and he believes he may have bought his sixth at Karaka on Sunday.

Ellis went to $625,000 to secure lot 52, the Written Tycoon colt out of Group One performer Pussy O’Reilly, from Woburn Farm’s draft.

Te Akau Principal David Ellis purchased Lot 52 for $625,000 out of Woburn Farm’s draft. Photo: Trish Dunell

Ellis said he was immediately taken by the colt when he first inspected him at Woburn Farm prior to Christmas, and he just had to have the yearling bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan.

“He was bred by Sir Patrick Hogan and we fell in love with him when we first saw him in early December. I thought he was a colt we needed to have,” Ellis said.

The Karaka Million 2YO will be an obvious target for the colt, but Ellis is eyeing some other juvenile targets across the Tasman with his new acquisition.

“We are looking for horses that can win a Karaka Million and go on and be a Golden Slipper colt, and then come back and stand at stud,” Ellis said.

“This colt met all of that criteria. He is very athletic and had Karaka Million written all over him.

“I think he has got a lot of class and I thought we could keep him as a colt.

“He is a beautiful colt from a really good family, and we are thrilled to have him.”

While the $625,000 purchase price was a bit more than Ellis expected to go to, he said he was delighted to secure the colt he has judged in the top three in the sale.

Advertisement

“I went a bit more than I thought I would have to, but for these really top colts you have got to pay a little bit more,” he said.

“He is one of the top three in the sale.”

Buoyed by the great results on Karaka Million night for the tangerine and blue army, which included three wins on the six-race card, Ellis said he has been overwhelmed by the interest ahead of the Karaka sales this year.

“We have got huge interest in people wanting to buy shares in horses with us,” he said. “We are buying horses for all budgets and everybody will be welcome in the team.”

Woburn Farm’s Adrian Stanley was pleased with the result.

“He is a quality individual. He definitely has the wow factor but he is also easy to work with, a quick thinker and you can do anything with him,” he said.

“I thought the money was about right. We try to be realistic with our reserves. You have to get them going so he was on the market at $180,000.

“He has gone to a great stable. I couldn't be happier that Jamie (Richards) has him. He will be given all the right opportunities.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.