Crossley Thoroughbreds is a new name in the Inglis Premier vendor index and is the first bloodstock enterprise for Mitch Pearce, a young man with a passion for horses that has had a good grounding with some of the best farms in Victoria.
Pearce has leased the old Chatswood Stud to establish his fledgling business and knows the farm well having worked there in his first job after leaving school.
“After finishing school at Ivanhoe Grammar I went to Chatswood Stud (which I am now leasing from Mick & Dan Cahill famous for Cahill Transport) and quickly became involved with the stallions there,” Mitch Pearce explained.
“From Chatswood, I went on to a role as assistant manager at Bob Scarborough's Wood Nook farm for a year and then moved to Milford Thoroughbreds for 5-6 years and Richard Kerry and Jarrod Byers are great mentors and friends of mine.”
A stint working in racing followed for Pearce, who enjoyed a couple of years as foreman for Josh Julius with Group winner Just Folk the star of the stable at that time, but ultimately he decided training was not the career for him.
While working as Stallion Manager for Widden Stud in Victoria, Pearce pondered the future and made the decision to strike out on his own.
“I just thought the timing felt right and I had enough experience behind me to make the transition and the opportunity to create something that's my own really appealed to me,” he said.
“I’ve had great support from Inglis, Swettenham Stud and Eamon McNulty, who have shown a lot of faith in me for which I am really grateful.”
Lot 47 Colt Written By x Vernier, by Zizou
By the sire of Group II ATC Silver Slipper winner Straight Charge and is a half-brother to metro winner Winsum and two more placed horses from a half-sister to Group I winners Mazu and Headway and full sister to the dam of stakes-winner Let Me Sleep On It.
Lot 56 Filly Hellbent x Voyant, by Artie Schiller (USA)
By Hellbent, whose fillies have put his name in lights including Group I winner Magic Time along with Benedetta and Kristilli. Fourth foal of a placed half-sister to Group winners Second Effort, Diamond Effort and to the dam of Group III winner Mileva.
Lot 98 Colt Toronado (IRE) x Allez Sur le Gris, by Puissance de Lune (IRE)
The only grey yearling in this sale by G1 sire Toronado. First foal of juvenile winning daughter of Group II winner Goon Serpent and is closely related to smart multiple stakes-winner Solaia, who is also by Toronado.
Lot 211 Colt Toronado (IRE) x Dowager Princess (NZ), by Savabeel
Half-brother to three good winners from a winning sister to multiple G1 placed stakes-winner Dowager Queen from the family of Group I winning sprinter Swick. Toronado has sired three winners from three to race from Savabeel mares and also has a good strike rate with his sire Zabeel with seven winners from eight runners bred that way including the SW Beltoro.
Lot 504 Colt Brazen Beau x Savsenga by Reset
Half-brother to stakes-placed Starry Legend, a six time winner of over $600,000 in prizemoney, plus three more winners and claims Champion European 3YO Filly Intrepidity as his third dam. Bred on the exact same Brazen Beau x Reset cross as stakes-placed Boldinho with the nick producing 100% success with three winners from three runners.
Lot 619 Filly Shamus Award x Celestial Dance, by Galileo (IRE)
Fourth foal of an unraced daughter of legendary sire Galileo and grand-dam is a half-sister to Group I MRC Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe. Traces back to the female family of breed shaping sire Danehill through the You’re My Lady branch that has had success sin Australia to produce Group I VRC Victoria Derby and Spring Champion Stakes winner Ace High.
