Suman Hedge splashed the cash at the rescheduled Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale March 24, spending a combined AU$467,000 on six yearlings including the sale's only Capitalist colt, who topped the opening day when he fetched AU$150,000 (US$94,079, US$1=AU$0.63).
Having procured the colt from boutique family-run operation KBL Thoroughbreds, Hedge following up with a spend of AU$120,000 on a Spirit Of Boom colt and the AU$110,000 purchase of a powerful Brave Smash filly—both in partnership with Grant and Alana Williams.
No fewer than five of the six yearlings will join the in-form husband-and-wife team, who are dominating the Western Australian Trainers' Premiership with a remarkable strike-rate in excess of 24%. They will be hoping their new Spirit Of Boom colt can replicate the achievements of the stable's stakes-winning mare Keshi Boom, an AU$120,000 purchase at this sale three years ago.
Before his spending spree with Williams Racing, Hedge teamed up with Trilogy Racing—the proprietors of Blue Gum Farm—to secure the striking Capitalist colt from the draft offered by KBL Thoroughbreds, based nearby in Beaudesert.
A stable is yet to be determined for the colt, who topped the sale on an opening day when the market was, according to Magic Millions' managing director Barry Bowditch, "very selective".
The colt's dam Sold For Song was a multiple stakes winner when she was prepared by Toowoomba-based trainer Kevin Kemp, one of the first people in the sales ring to congratulate Hedge on his purchase.
"He looks a very strong individual," Hedge told ANZ Bloodstock News.
"I was really taken by his looks and he also has the pedigree to match. Capitalist needs no introduction and the colt's dam was a very smart race mare with an excellent record, so we think he represents good value.
"We had him out and took a good look a few times, and he was always very professional during the inspections. So we knew he would be popular and I'm delighted to secure him for the team at Trilogy, who have become great clients for me.
Speaking in conclusion of a day which saw a total of eight lots sell for AU$100,000 or more—compared to just two in the same price bracket on the opening day last year—Bowditch was reasonably satisfied with the trading but has urged more Queensland buyers to come out and support the local vendors.
"Each year this sale produces well-priced horses that go on to have great racetrack success, and I'm sure this year will be no different," he told ANZ Bloodstock News.
The gross for day one was AU$3,818,500 (US$2,394,945) from 104 lots sold. The average price was AU$36,716 (US$23,028), with a median of AU$26,000 (US$16,307). The clearance rate was 66.67%.
"The clearance rate was very similar to last year and the average price is up, so that's clearly a positive. The fact that we sold eight horses for six-figures is great, and if you had the right horse here there was a lot of interest in it, as you saw with the bidding on the final lot of the day.
"I think we probably have a stronger line-up of horses tomorrow, so I'm hopeful that we can increase our turnover significantly and get our clearance rate up."
The second and final day of the March Yearling Sale will begin March 25 at 11 a.m. local time.
