In the 30 plus years of their existence, Tyreel Stud has seen the highs and low of all kinds that are out there. They have been through the grind and emerged a winner in the business. Today, there is not one soul in the thoroughbred training world that does not know about them and does not equate their position with success. Operating out of the 100-acre farm in Australia, Tyreel Stud was founded by the late Jim Flemming in the late '80s. Since then in over three decades of the pure drive to be the best in the business that drove Jim and now the current owners Linda and Laurence Monds, Tyreel Stud is known as one of the tops draws in the business.
A veteran at business management, Linda Monds took up the mantle of the show and combined her acumen for business and horse racing to further the impressive legacy of the farm. She is someone who welcomes new ideas with open arms while relying on her years of experience. This has led her to become an inspiration within the business.
They are known to bring in the maximum number of horses to the MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale. We wanted to know more about this year's draft. Linda graciously agreed to spend some time with us. Read on.
Q: You have a draft of very precocious horses this year. Could you tell us a more about your highlight Lots from the GC Yearling Sale draft? (You could even send us an excel with a little commentary for each of the horses, and we can publish that whole at the end. But for the highlight lots, it would be great to get a long perspective.)
A: Our 2020 Magic Millions draft is a very exciting one offering buyers the opportunity to purchase a diverse range of horses from a small select draft of 6 yearlings. Boasting a full sister to a two-year-old stakes winner, proven crosses that have produced elite racehorses and most importantly a strong physical group of yearlings which will be a must-see during early inspections.
Lot 122 - Winning Rupert x Beaver Rocks Colt
A very sharp looking colt who is well put together. He is an excellent example to represent the first crop of Winning Ruperts. He is from the family of Group 3 winner Care To Think.
Lot 171 - Super One x Charleah Colt
A powerfully built colt who possesses strength and quality. Closely related to the exciting 2yo colt COSMIC FORCE. The colt is a real Magic Millions type.
Lot 538 - Not A Single Doubt x Miss Hufflepuff
This filly is a rare type who at this early stage already looks precocious. Bred on a similar cross that has already produced the likes of CLASSIQUE LEGEND and MIGHTY BOSS. She will be a real highlight of our draft.
Lot 170 - Choisir x Champalou
A strong well-marked daughter of the evergreen sire Choisir. A full sister to the two-year-old stakes winner Champ Elect. This type of filly will be well received by the MM's buying bench who source the proven two-year-old types.
Lot 855 - So You Think x Tender
A star of the class. A great style of a horse who is mature and well balanced. More forward than her breeding may suggest physically but a filly that we would expect to see improvement with time. An excellent effort for a first foal.
Lot 909 - Star Witness x I am here
A great moving filly who uses herself beautifully. A real trainers horse from one of the fastest families in the Australian Stud Book. She is a later-born filly who has plenty of improvement to come.
Q: Could you please tell us a bit more about your association with this sale? How long have you been showing at the sale? How do you manage that balance of high quality and the right quantity? As you show at more than one sale, how do you decide which yearling/horses to send to which sale?
A: Tyreel Stud has presented yearlings at the Magic Millions under our ownership for the past 5 years. The process of deciding which sale an animal will go to is crucial to our business. We always endeavour to present high-quality horses at every sale from a physical and pedigree point of view. Our yearlings that are more mature and physically possess the attributes of a first type will go to a previous sale. Those who need more time will go to a later sale.
Q: Although you have probably sold some costly horses in your lifetime, please tell us about the most expensive horse you ever sold at this sale and where he/ she is right now?
A: The most expensive yearling we have sold was Exceed and Excel x Written Dash, who has now been named Osamu. He was purchased by Aquis Farm and is being trained by Chris Waller. Osamu has had two impressive trials and will be one to watch on the track over the coming months.
Q: You have a half-brother to Aethero coming up for sale, although he's not being presented in this draft. Could you please us a bit more about how he's doing?
A: The half-brother to Aethero will be heading to Inglis Easter Yearling sale in 2020. He is growing exceptionally well and is looking a similar article very much to Aethero at the same age. He may not be quite as big as Aethero, but he has strength and substance. He is by So You Think and looks to have the same traits as his half-brothers Classique Legend and Aethero.
Q: With 2020 fast approaching, what is a sales-target you have in mind for Tyreel in the next five years?
A: The sales target over the coming five years will be to continue to do the same that we have done in the last 5 years. We aim to continue to breed quality horses for the sales ring and on the track.