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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment

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
More Reading...
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Tara Talks Racing - Insights from a Legend - Darren Beadman
Beiwacht upstaged his more fancied rivals to win the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose last Saturday in course record breaking style to become the hottest colt in Australia giving us the opportunity to chat to a legend that has been very much involved in his story so far.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
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.