$330,000 Almanzor Colt Headed to Australia

Media Release - Wednesday November 17

Multiple Group One-winning Australian trainer Tony McEvoy made an early impact on the opening day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Te Rapa on Wednesday when he secured a handsome son of Almanzor.

Lot 12 was purchased by Tony McEvoy out of Phoenix Park’s draft for $330,000. Photo: Stephen Barker

McEvoy combined with bloodstock agent Bevan Smith, who was on site, to purchase Lot 12 from the draft of Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park for $330,000. He had breezed up in 10.68s.

The son of the Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion is out of the winning Guillotine mare Tricoteuse, whose dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Arlingtonboulevard and to the Listed South African winner Europe To Africa.

“I really like him and he’s a big, powerful bugger and gee, I was quite taken by that little breeze that he did,” McEvoy said. “He looks a proper horse to me.”

The first Southern Hemisphere crops of the three-time Group One winner Almanzor have attracted widespread sale ring interest across Australasia and McEvoy is now also a paid-up member of the fan club.

“I can see why people like them, he was such a good horse and he’s on a good farm and getting every chance. I’m very pleased to be able to get one, that’s for sure,” he said.

McEvoy purchased the juvenile on behalf of an undisclosed Queensland-based stable client and will wait until he gets up close and personal with the colt before he plots a racing path.

Advertisement

“It’s difficult not having seen him in the flesh, although the New Zealand Bloodstock and vendor services we get are fabulous,” he said.

“As with any horse though, you’ve got to get up close with them and I’ll get him to Ballarat and then make some calls from there.”

As with all buyers, McEvoy is well-versed in purchasing online due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions and paid credit to the part his support crew played in the Ready to Run Sale purchase process.

“My bloodstock team here in Australia did a great job finding this horse and presenting him in front of me and I’m very appreciative of Bevan finishing off the job over there in New Zealand,” he said.

The Almanzor colt also proved to be a smart piece of business for Octagon Bloodstock, who had originally purchased him out of Curraghmore’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka earlier this year for $260,000. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Filly a Third Winner for Tagaloa
Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa is one of the more affordable sires on the Yulong roster and he sired his third winner at Bendigo on Thursday when well bred filly Teine Aulelia made a winning debut.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Significant racing and breeding prospects aplenty in June (Late ) Sale
A range of intriguing broodmares and breeding prospects – as well as many young, in-form racehorses suitable for both the domestic and Hong Kong market – headline a stellar catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Late) Online Sale.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Kaha Nui Swoop on Pinhook Prospects
Successful pinhookers Kaha Nui Farm were to the fore at Karaka on Thursday, and were rewarded with the crown of leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?