Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 10

Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Officiate returned a winner on a gloomy day - image Bradley Photography

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Officiate was favourite for the 1550m maiden after resuming  from a spell with a good second at Randwick last month.

He found the line well coming from back in the field to score a head win at his third start.

“He didn’t quite know how to put them away, but he was the fit horse today and had to dig deep, but got the job done,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.

“He’ll take good confidence going forward.”

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Officiate was the top lot at the 2024 MM Horses in Training Sale.

Bred by Coolmore, Officiate was a $300,000 Magic million spurchase from the Coolmore drft for KO Thoroughbreds/Munce Racing/Arthur Hoyeau and was then re-offered in the KO Racing draft at the Horses in Training Sale where Yulong snapped him up for $700,000 to top the sale.

Officiate is a half-sister to stakes-placed Lady Young and is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Port Augusta, a half-sister by Encosta de Lago to dual Group I winner and champion 2YO Colt Holy Roman Emperor, Group III winner Milanova and stakes-winners Big Viking and Heart of Oak.

The family has also produced Group I New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest so further may well be better for Officiate.

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Race Result - The Agency Real Estate Mdn Hcp 1550m

Canterbury Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:37.01
1
Officiate
- 3c Justify (USA) x Port Augusta (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57.5
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale $700,000
Seller: KO Racing, Brisbane, Qld
Buyer: Yulong
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $300,000
Seller: Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: KO Thoroughbreds/Munce Racing/Arthur Hoyeau, agent
2
0.1
Koibito
- 3f Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Biscuit (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $170,000
Seller: Landsdowne Park Ltd
Buyer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Chris Rutten Bloodstock (BAFNZ)
3
1
Bendrodt
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Shadow Watch (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 59
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW
Buyer: Psd $280000 Res $300000
4
1
Sigma
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Princess Coup (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 57
5
1.3
Precise Star
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Dear Demi (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 57
6
1.4
Pompatus
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Maracas (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 57.5
7
1.7
Angel Feet
- 3g Almanzor (FR) x Critical Angel (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 55
8
1.8
Brundee Tom
- 3g Sandbar (AUS) x Zariz Alwyns (AUS) (Zariz (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Bateup Rdr: Ms J Taylor 56
9
2.3
Defendant
- 3g Justify (USA) x Mi Mala (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57.5
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