It is no wonder that Australia has over the decades established itself as the bedrock of thoroughbred racing universe. If there is a geographical location that has contributed the maximum to this community it is this beautiful country down under. Whether you chalk it to the amazing weather or simply the genius of the vendors and trainers in the region. We do not have a definite answer to that, however, what we can back with utmost surety the fact that there are some of the most hard-working and innovative minds in this region, whose sheer will to become the best and in extension evolve horse racing from its core have a contribution to make that cannot be denied ever.
Aquis farm is one such farm, that product of passion and love that the owners and management have for the business. Shane McGrath the CEO of Aquis Farms is widely known as the man with an acute acumen and an eye for detail. It is perhaps this quality that gives him the Midas touch that he carried with him. It almost feels like Aquis is in a world of their own, competing with no one, but themselves. Under his leadership, like every year, this year too, Aquis is expected to be one of the largest drafts in the Gold Coast Yearling sale 2020. We sat down for a brief tete-a-tete with Shane and inquired some more about the lot in this year and what are they expecting from the sale this year.
Q: Once again you have one of the largest drafts coming into the Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Could you tell us a bit more about the quality and quantity of your 2020 draft and tell us a bit more about your highlight lots?
A: Heading into the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Aquis will offer a draft of 24 yearlings by a mix of proven Champion sires, up and coming promising young sires, as well as representatives from the first crops of our Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet and the Gr.2 Todman Stakes winner Kiss And Makeup.
Our Magic Millions draft is headlined by five yearlings by Champion Sire Snitzel highlighted by Lot 374, the second foal of Heredera, the half-sister to the Gr.2-winning, Gr.1 placed Kabayan from the family of multiple Gr.1 winner Prized Icon, while Lot 598 is a bay colt out of the Distorted Humor mare One Funny Honey, the dam of three winners headlined by Gr.2 winner One More Honey and the Listed winner Vega One.
Other key lots include Lot 450, the More Than Ready colt out of the Gr.2 placed Encosta de Lago mare Kyria, a half-sister to Gr.2 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Always Alison from the Gr.1 family of Benicio, Bint Marscay, Bollinger and Filante.
While Lot 595 is stunning I Am Invincible filly out of the Listed performed Exceed And Excel mare Omniscient and is bred on a cross that has produced six winners from seven runners led by Gr.3 heroine She’s So High and the Gr.2 performer Garibaldi.
Divine Prophet will be represented by three yearlings in Aquis’ draft, and as the winner of the sire-making Caulfield Guineas, a race won in the past by Redoute’s Choice, Lonhro, Starspangledbanner and All Too Hard, we’re confident that the market will take extremely well to them, especially if his weanling results are anything to go by where they sold for up to ten times his service fee.
Lot 432 is sure to create plenty of interest, being out of the Listed-winning, Gr.1 placed Kalamata a half-sister to the dam of Gr.1 winner Hucklebuck. Already the dam of four winners on the track, Kalamata’s leading performer is the Gr.3-winning, Gr.1 placed Stirling Grove.
As the only juvenile to defeat Champion 2YO Capitalist, Kiss And Make Up’s success in the Gr.2 Todman Stakes was phenomenal, with the likes of previous winners Exceed And Excel and Written Tycoon, going on to Champion Sire honours. Aquis has two yearlings by the son of More Than Ready in our draft, and both have a strong connection to the Magic Millions race day.
Lot 537 is out of a half-sister to the dam of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Le Chef, while Lot 955 is out of a half-sister to Whittington, who not only won the Breeders’ Plate of his juvenile year but was successful in the Magic Millions Sprint, showing a sustained amount of speed to take the prize.
Q: Among the yearling sales, which would you consider the top to sell high-quality thoroughbreds?
A: Aquis focus on meeting the market at each and every yearling sale that we consign drafts for, but in terms of the leading sales, the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, as well as the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, would be the leading two during the sales season.
Both sales offer buyers from around the world the opportunity to secure outstanding physical and pedigreed individuals that would be among the top yearlings anywhere in the world, year in year out.
Q: What was the most expensive horse you have ever sold at this sale?
A: At the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Aquis sold a colt by Medaglia d’Oro for $1,000,000 the fourth-highest priced colt sold at the sale that year. He was a stunning individual from a Lonhro mare and he just oozed quality throughout his preparation, and as a result, there were plenty of buyers keen to secure him.
Q: Could you please tell us about those horses whom you would consider your top graduates?
A: We’re really proud of the season our graduates have had on the track, and in particular, Not An Option, a two-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt that we bred, is currently unbeaten in two starts in New Zealand and looks and exciting prospect.
Winning the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes last time out with ease, the Tony Pike trained colt is likely to head towards the Karaka Million in January.
Q: At Aquis have you ever considered breeding for specific races?
A: Aquis aims to breed racehorses that we feel can compete in the best races available, anywhere in the world.
Breeding a winner of the Gr.1 Golden Slipper, the world’s richest race for two-year-old’s is high on the list of every breeder, and it is surely a race Aquis would love to record success in as a breeder – instantly ensuring the winner a place at stud as an in-demand commercial stallion proposition.
Q: Vow And Declare’s victory in the Melbourne Cup was obviously a wonderful result because Australian bred horses are known more for their speed. With this success, do you think, Australian breeders like yourself are encouraged to try breeding top quality stayers?
A: While the Australian market is focused on juvenile speed, breeders are starting to see the opportunity to breed stayers in Australia. Not only was the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup won by an Australia bred, but so was the Gr.1 Victoria Derby, and with significant prize money on offer for races at 2000m and above, there is no reason to think the trend of successful Australian-bred stayers won’t continue.