Torryburn Stud: First Out AtInglis
A new era for bloodstock sales in Australia began last week with the world renowned Inglis sales company hosting the Classic Yearling Sale at their new Riverside Stables. The complex is a remarkable example of architecture that has been designed to suit the purpose for which it was built.Both horses and humans alike were treated to five star facilities to rival any sales venue in the world.
After many years in the planning, it was fitting that the first horse to sell at Inglis was consigned by Torryburn Stud, with owner John Cornish having been instrumental in the initial purchase of the land at Warwick Farm, instigated during his tenure as Chairman of the Australian Turf Club.
Hundreds of people packed the sale auditorium to witness Lot 1, a son of Darley’s Shooting To Win out of the Rahy mare Raheightstake centre stage and the honour of the first horse through the ring. The muscular bay colt was secured by Yu Long Investments Pty Ltd for $190,000. Yu Long were no doubt keen to replicate the success of the dam’s4yo progeny Diddums – a mare who recently added significant black type tothe pedigree by winning the Group 3 PJ Bell at Randwick in 2017.
The Inglis Classic started strongly and continued the hot pace over the four day sale, achieving record breaking gross sales of $48.46Million with a clearance of 98% for its first session of 518 horses sold and a further $7M in book 2 which also cleared an outstanding 88% of a further 157 horses through the ring.
“It was a phenomenal week all round really,” said Brett Cornish who has recently taken over the management reins of Torryburn Stud from his father John. “I think the facilities far exceeded anyone’s expectations and it all seemed to go off without a hitch”. “It’s a credit to Inglis and all the vendors who went on presenting quality horses like nothing was any different,” he continued.
Whilst much of the hype has subdued, Torryburn Stud is now equally excited about presenting its draft at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April. A selection of eight yearlings are on offer including some home breds with outstanding current racehorses to boast of in their pedigrees.
The farm’s catalogue highlights include a three-quarter brother to Deploy, winner of the G2 Theo Marks, G2 BRC Moreton Cup and current track record holder at both Randwick (1200m) and Rosehill (1300m).The colt by
Arrowfield Stud’s Smart Missile is an outstanding example of a balanced, early type. A son of Smart Missile produced the fastest breeze up time at the Magic Millions in 2017 and the yearlingout of Crimson Reign looks athletic enough to achieve a similar feat for his buyer.
Another of the Torryburn bred yearlings represented at Easter is a half-brother to the John Size trained 2yo Denman gelding Hot King Prawn (ex De Chorus),who has been unbeaten in his first five starts in Hong Kong. Raced by the Cornish family, De Chorus is still a firm favourite of Pam Cornish who has a soft spot for greys that can be seen dotted around the farm. “At the time, we purchased as many Unbridled’s Song (USA) mares as we could get our hands on,” said Pam. “De Chorus won two for us at Randwick and has gone on to prove a handy broodmare having produced the stakes placed Siren’s Fury and now this young colt by Denman who is the talk of Hong Kong,” she said. “We are really looking forward to seeing what he can produce as a 3yo,” Pam continued.
Along with a complete rejuvenation of the farm plus the addition of a purpose-built spelling farm, Torryburn Stud has recently injected some impressive bloodlines to their broodmare band. The farm has purchased several mares including the stakes performed Darley mare Imperial Lass (NZ), leading 2014-15 2yo filly in New Zealand Serena Miss, Flying Spur mare Miss Interiors – a daughter of Ballet D’Amour (dam of Russian Revolution and Turbo Miss) and several other 2yo’s of notable pedigree.
Having recently re-visitedthoroughbred breeding operations in Japan and Europe, the Cornish family have been inspired to incorporate several points of excellence from each country in the re-development of their breeding and racing operations with further plans for development in the pipeline.
Commenting on the recent influx of new blood, John Cornish said, “Our aim is to continue to purchase young race fillies that will augment our broodmare band and in turn produce quality yearlings to race and sell to the Australian and international markets”. “We are immensely proud of our current international performers – many horses that we have bred and sold and are now winning in Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand,” said John. “We see the farm going from strength to strength and look forward to being able to share the benefits with buyers and breeders alike,” he said.
Torryburn Stud can be found in Barn I at the 2018 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.