Kia Ora’s paddocks have produced six Melbourne Cup, five Cox Plate and 15 Derby winners – and the respected breeding and rearing organisation believes it might soon oversee another champion.
A potential star colt by Written Tycoon and out of Sylvia’s Mother is now part-owned by TFI, Kia Ora Stud and Annabel Neasham Racing, selling for $550,000.
It was the top purchase from 830 thoroughbreds sold at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, which concluded on Tuesday.
The bloodstock and breeding manager for Kia Ora Stud, Shane Wright, was delighted with the purchase of Lot 130.
He was impressed with both the physical characteristics and calmness of the future galloper.
“He was truly the colt of the sale. He’s a beautiful colt and we loved him,” Wright told HorseBetting.com.au.
Kia Ora’s acquisition has a proven pedigree – 2005 Todman Stakes winner Written Tycoon was the 2020-21 champion Australian sire.
Sylvia’s Mother enjoyed career-highlight wins in the VRC Frances Tressady Stakes and Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes, both at Group 3 level, before retiring to stud with earnings over $455,000 in 2020.
“He was a beautiful colt – very correct and forward,” Wright said.
“He had all the strength in the right places.
“Lovely strong shoulders and hips, and he seemed to have a very good temperament as well.
“He’s out of a very good mare as well, and he’s by Written Tycoon.
“And we’ve got a grandson of Written Tycoon who stood his first season at our stallion barn by In Captivant.
“So it’s a line we really like, and we want to make sure we’ve got some nice colts by him around us.”
Wright said he was excited to see what Saturday’s Inglis Millennium-winning trainer Neasham could do with the top Inglis Classic Yearling Sale buy.
“Annabel trains quite a few for us. We’re in the Millennium winner (Learning To Fly), so it was a very big weekend,” the Kia Ora Stud bloodstock and breeding expert said.
“She and her whole team do an amazing job. So this boy will go to her, as well as one or two other from the Magic Millions.
“She’s doing a terrific job, so we’re happy to keep it going.”
Kia Ora Stud also made some significant acquisitions from the Magic Millions Sale last month.
Wright was delighted to get Lot 955, an Exceed And Excel half-brother to last year’s Breeders’ Plate winner, Empire Of Japan.
It was a $1.8 million purchase from Corumbene Stud, and talked up as one of the top colts of the sale.
A $1.1 million daughter of Exceed And Excel and SAJC Euclase Stakes winner Sweet Sherry (Lot 452) was another highlight for Kia Ora from the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast.
“We picked up 10 colts in total from the Magic Millions and we’re really happy with the team that’s been put together,” Wright said.
“We’re at the breaking-in stage now, so the next couple of months will tell us how well we’ve done.
“But we couldn’t be happier with the type of horses they are physically, as well as their pedigrees.
“So fingers crossed we’ll put in the hard work and get a little bit of luck going our way.”
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