David Ellis Swoops on $1.1million Zoustar Colt

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday January 9

All the good judges were on Segenhoe Stud’s Zoustar colt from Ready to Soar with keen competition pushing the handsome chestnut colt past the $800,000 mark until David Ellis finally prevailed with a winning bid of $1.1million.

The colt is the first million dollar yearling of the sale for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar and is the first foal of his dam, who is a three time winning sister to Group I Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way and a half-sister by More Than Ready (USA) to stakes-winners Impressive Eagle, Assertive Eagle and Soaressa.

$1.1million Zoustar colt from Ready to Soar - image Magic Millions

“He is a sharp precocious type and I saw Henry Field, James Harron, George Moore, they were all bidding strongly on him. They’re all terrific judges,” said Peter O’Brien of Segenhoe.

Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis has hit the ground running at this year’s sale and not surprisingly given he purchased eight yearlings last year at the Gold Coast for $2.49million and to date five of them have raced and they are unbeaten Group II winner Captured by Love (f Written Tycoon), Group II placed winner Move to Strike (c Am Invincible), Group II placed winner Dream of the Moon (f All Too Hard), Unbridled Joy (c Snitzel), one start for a second and debut winner The Victress (Zousain).

David Ellis and his trainer Mark Walker - image Magic Millions

“We’ve been very impressed with the quality that is here and we want to train these horses, so if we want to train them we’ve got to come here and buy them,” said Ellis.

Advertisement

“He has a great attitude, great pedigree and is a very, very athletic colt that I think can run, so we could be back here for the Magic Millions this time next year. That is what we are hoping.

“He’ll go into our stallion syndicate and we’ve got a lot of investors already but there are still a couple of shares left.”

Ready to Soar had no foal last year and appears to now be in foal to So You Think.

Advertisment
More Reading...
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
$1.4million Favourite Rolled, But Winner Might be Special
The two year-old colts maiden at Canterbury on Monday was a must watch race with $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Central Coast expected to be winning on debut, but the unpredictable nature of racing was seen to full effect when his stablemate Autumn Boy went off script to take the victory at 50-1.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Pencarrow Celebrate Derby Victory for Iconic Family
Pencarrow Stud’s foundation mare Richebourg has left a lasting impression on the Australasian thoroughbred landscape, with Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) victor Maison Louis further adding to that legacy with his Classic triumph at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
Vale bloodstock agent Michael Wallace
The New Zealand and international thoroughbred industries are mourning the loss of Michael Wallace, who passed away in the United States on Saturday night.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
$850,000 Extreme Choice Colt Equals MM National Yearling Record
A stunning colt by Extreme Choice equalled the all time record price at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast today when he sold for $850,000.
Brighthill Farm Buoyant Ahead of Weanling Sale
NZB’s National Weanling Sale has been a popular stage for boutique vendors Brighthill Farm, who produced the top-priced lot at last year’s Sale when a filly by Satono Aladdin was knocked down to Gary Harding for $180,000.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.