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Value Colts Make Their Mark

Tara Madgwick - Monday September 2
At the time of the 2018 yearling sales the post-sale media was all about the expensive horses and in particular those big banger colts that purchasers always claim will be winning the Slipper and delivering untold riches at stud, but as this crop of colts turn three it has become apparent that the horses to watch out for this spring flew pretty much under the radar at those sales.

Castelvecchio wins the G1 Champagne - image Steve HartLast season we had three Group I winning two year old colts in Godolphin homebred Microphone (Exceed and Excel) as well as Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) and Castelvecchio (Dundeel).

Prince Fawaz came out of the Magic Millions for $220,000, while Castelvecchio was purchased at Inglis Classic for $150,000.

Neither have raced yet this season, but both have trialled in preparation for their return.

Since the start of the new season we have already seen some very nice colts step out and win stakes races and of those sold at auction none would be considered super expensive.

Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach (IRE)) made $150,000 at Inglis Premier, Quick Thinker (So You Think) made $100,000 at Inglis Easter, Exceedance (Exceed and Excel) made $180,000 at Inglis Easter and Super Seth (Dundeel) made $280,000 at Inglis Easter in Book 2 where he was the most expensive colt.

Two other highly rated colts that have yet to race this spring in Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) and Cosmic Force (Deep Field) fit the same profile, the former bought for $200,000 at Magic Millions and the latter bought for $180,000 at Inglis Classic.

Some 24 colts sold for $1million or more at the 2018 sales and their record to date has been underwhelming, but to be fair we are one month into a new season and anything can happen, Click here to see the 50 most expensive colts of 2018.

What all of this does highlight is that if you have a good eye for a horse and a reasonable budget you are a great chance of buying something top class, you don't actually need millions of dollars to play with to be a winner at the end of the day.

It might take millions to buy the best yearling, but is the best yearling the best racehorse?

Footnote : In 2011, the top lot at Inglis Easter was the half-brother by Casino Prince to Black Caviar that made $1,025,000 and he turned out to be All Too Hard. A multiple Group I winning Champion 3YO Colt he is now a successful sire, so sometimes the best yearling is in fact the best racehorse.


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