Savvy bloodstock investors looking to put the Group 1 duck firmly behind them

Astute young bloodstock investors Julian Blaxland and Grant Morgan are out to crack their Group 1 duck in Saturday’s J.J. Atkins.

Blaxland, of Blue Sky Bloodstock, purchased PRESSING for $100,000, while Morgan’s Ontrack Thoroughbreds syndicated hot favourite Brazen Beau after giving $70,000 for him as a yearling.

Ontrack is based on the Gold Coast, while Blue Sky relocated to Sydney last year after starting out on the Coast.

“Winning Group 1 races is what we all strive for,” Morgan said.

“There’s definitely a few little butterflies. I’ve had Group 1 runners in the past, but none with the expectations this bloke has around him.”

Morgan’s first Group 1 runner was Man O’ Mars, who ran 10th in the 2000 Goodwood as a 25-1 chance. He was the first horse Morgan raced and it proved a forerunner to him setting up Ontrack Thoroughbreds in 2008.

Today, On Track has between 300 and 400 clients on the books. Brazen Beau has about 35 owners who call him their own.

Blaxland said Blue Sky had SUPER EASY (Singapore) and GOOD BABY (Malaysia) win Group 1s overseas, but were still trying to crack it in Australia.

“We’ve had a number of Group 1 placings with horses like SHRAPNEL, BENETEAU and BETTER THAN READY and we’re keen to get the monkey off our back,” he said.

Blue Sky Thoroughbred’s Julian Blaxland at the Magic Millions sales. Source: News Limited

Blue Sky set up in 2006 and from their first crop of yearling purchases came the Magic Millions runner-up SHE'S MEANER and BLACK AND BENT, who retired this week as one of Australia’s greatest ever jumpers.

Since then Blue Sky has unearthed stakes performers including HAVANA, EXPRESS POWER, INSTINCTION, WOODBINE and KEEP DE ROSE.

Morgan concedes 1600m is a query for Brazen Beau, but says it is the same for virtually the entire field.

“The speed map looks positive for him, providing he doesn’t repeat his slow getaway from last time,” Morgan said.

“Hopefully he will be between fourth and sixth in the run and his best asset is a nice turn of foot.”

Jim Byrne gave Pressing a glowing stamp of approval after riding him with the shades on Tuesday and stable foreman Mick Nolan reports the colt is thriving in Queensland.

Sebring colt Pressing, set to line up in the Group One JJ Atkins at just his fourth start. Source: Turfpress

Pressing was originally passed in for $90,000 through the ring at last year’s Easter sale in Sydney.

“Mick (Price) and I were keen to buy a colt, so when he was passed in we bolted down to the stables and were able to do the deal,” Blaxland said.

“He’s a very lazy track worker and at his first start Mick told us if he finished in the first four or five he’d be happy.

“Then next time out he went to stakes grade and Mick said ‘we might get found out this week’ and he won again. So he’s been a bit of a revelation this horse.

“We’re just hoping the blinkers will sharpen him up.”

Morgan is a former President of the Queensland Owners Association and during his time in administration, lobbied strongly for changes to owners’ privileges.

“One of the things I am most proud of is that we were able to convince the Australian Racing Board to increase the number of owners’ names in the racebook from 10 to 20,” he said.

For more information on how you can be involved in Racing with Blue Sky Bloodstock, please call Julian on +61431746803.

Black And Bent – a story for the history books

With the recent news that grand campaigner BLACK AND BENT has retired from racing, Blue Sky Bloodstock reminisces on one of our first yearling purchases.

Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland takes a look back at his involvement in the Black And Bent story…

 “It was my first year as Blue Sky Bloodstock in 2007 and Black And Bent went through the June Magic Millions yearling sale.

"I saw he was a brother to Some Are Bent and might make a useful stayer/jumper. I had bought a yearling in Ireland for Victorian race caller Rick McIntosh and his syndicate earlier in the year at the Goffs yearling sale (when working for the BBA), a Fasliyev half-brother to Hugs Dancer that went on to race in Australia as Fasilenko, a winner of 3 races and 7 placing’s on the flat and over jumps, without reaching any great heights. 

Up and over.. Black And Bent winning another over the jumps.

"In those days my client base was only small and so were their budgets. On inspection of this colt by Black Hawk, I noted he would suit a patient owner with a limited budget. Physically he certainly wasn't a glamour but was correct, with a reasonable action, if a little plain and backward. 

"He was passed in and I negotiated his purchase back at the box with the SA breeders for $25,000. I specked the horse and thought I'd sell him in a heartbeat to my local clients as a future jumper but to my disappointment I couldn't convince them to buy in.

"After 24 hours I called Rick down in Victoria and within an hour or two he had a syndicate together and took the horse. A wise decision by him as he went on to earn over $1m in earnings and two hurdler of the year titles. I certainly remind some of my Qld owners that they shouldn't judge and yearling by his price tag!”

With the impressive record of 21 career victories from 57 starts, with a further 10 placed efforts and over $1.1m in earnings, Black And Bent will always hold a special place in Blue Sky Bloodstock’s own history – thanks for the memories.

Guineas Glory On The Line For Havana

Surprisingly one of only two last start winners in the main field (excluding emergencies), the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased HAVANA looks set to give the Group Two Queensland Guineas one massive shake on Saturday at Eagle Farm - click here field and form.

With many of the field finishing behind the Paul Messara-trained runner at his most recent start, where he recorded a length victory in the Group Three Fred Best Classic at Doomben over the 1350m, the step up to the 1400m on Saturday was always going to suit Havana even better than the 1350m.

Having been well supported all week in the betting, Havana is now likely to start one of the favourites for the $350,000 contest, and there is no reason to think that he can't add the Group Two trophy to his silverware collection.

Streaking away to victory last start in the Group Three Fred Best Classic. Picture: Ross Stevenson

Streaking away to victory last start in the Group Three Fred Best Classic. Picture: Ross Stevenson

Set to be ridden by Luke Nolen, the Melbourne-based jockey has partnered the Starcraft gelding on only two occasions in his 11 start career; last start when victorious, and earlier on in his career when Havana finished third behind Criterion in the Group Todman Stakes.

Drawn very well in barrier four, it will allow the Arrowfield Pastoral Synd (Mgr: J Messara), Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Synd, Favretto Bloodstock Synd, P J & Mrs D D Bone, B Kennedy, T C Lloyd-Jones, S J Pont & Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D Halpin)-owned Havana to get a cosy run and be in a favourable position in the very large field.

Havana does have a very good sprint on him as highlighted last time out and if within striking distance as the field heads for home, he will be hard to hold out.

In what looks a very exciting edition of the Group Two Queensland Guineas, the race often produces a top notch galloper with winners of the race in the past highlighted by Sizzling, Pear Tart, Turffontein, Nova Star, Camarena, Yippyio, Turridu, Paris Lane and Triscay – all having one thing in common, they are all Group One winners – fingers crossed Havana can reach those heights in the not too distant future.

Who knows, it could come in next week’s Group One Stradbroke Handicap, a race that Havana does currently hold a nomination to!

Pleasing everyone this week in the stable, Havana is ready to go, as evident by the below clip where he plays up for the camera.

A graduate of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale when selected by Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Managing Director Julian Blaxland, the company has been enjoying a very good run at present with the likes of stakes-winning two-year-old Sebring colt PRESSING, who will contest next Saturday’s Group One J.J. Atkins, after having won his first two starts highlighted by a stunning victory in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes.

All at Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to take this opportunity to wish Havana's connections the best of luck for Saturday and we hope to see you in the winner's enclosure!!

Price likely to apply blinkers to Pressing

Mick Price will pursue the Group 1 J.J. Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 7 with Pressing on the recommendation of Damien Oliver.

While Price was initially disappointed with Saturday's performance by Pressing, who finished ninth behind Time For War in the BRC Sires' Produce at Doomben, but that view was superseded by those of Damien Oliver and stable foreman Mick Nolan.

“Ollie said to press on, go to the mile and the horse was screaming out for blinkers,” Price said.

“He (Oliver) said it was very leader-dominated type of race and that he was a bit green that way of going. He felt that horse’s last bit was good enough to go to the mile race and with blinkers he'll be able to take up a position.”

Price said Nolan reported Pressing had emerged unscathed from the run and still had more to offer this preparation.

“We’re going forward with dented confidence,” he said.

“My stable foreman is telling me the horse hasn’t had enough and Ollie is telling me it wasn’t the run of a horse that’s had enough.”

News from Racing Network

Havana Smokes Them At Doomben

When the time comes, and decisions have to be made, sometimes the unkindest cut of all is often what works, and in the case of HAVANA, it has produced a new zest for racing for the quality Starcraft three-year-old.

Returning after a gelding operation, the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchase has had four starts this time in, recording a classy victory first up, followed by a pleasing second at Listed level two starts back before a dominate victory in the Group Three Fred Best Classic at Doomben on May 17.

Having now had two starts on Havana for a Group Three win and a Group Two placed effort behind eventual dual Group One winner Criterion, Luke Nolen settled the gelding in a comfortable position, not too far from the leaders after jumping away well from barrier two.

Really just having to sit on the Paul Messara-trained galloper, Nolen never had to go around another runner, as the impressive looking three-year-old followed the rails throughout.

As the field turned for home, Havana sprinted along the inside rail, to record his first stakes success, winning by a length from Into The Red, with last start Group Three Gold Coast Guineas winner Dothraki in third and the Group Three C.S. Hayes Stakes winner Hucklebuck in fourth.

Havana and Luke Nolen take the Group Three Fred Bes Classic (1350m) at Doomben. Image: Dan Costello.

Havana and Luke Nolen take the Group Three Fred Bes Classic (1350m) at Doomben. Image: Dan Costello.

Messara, who always felt Havana had promise, was relieved after the race.

“I’ve always thought he was a good horse. It’s just been a matter of waiting for the right day," Messara said.

“We went with the back-up and you never know until you test them and he’s come through brilliantly.

“We will go to the Guineas in two weeks, I think 1400m is perfect and I’m excited about it.”

Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Managing Director Julian Blaxland who purchased Havana as a yearling from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, was also jubilant post-race.

"I'm delighted for the owners as Paul has had a huge opinion of Havana since he was an early 2yo but Saturday's win was the first time the horse has put it all together in group company.

“He was gelded in summer and it's certainly made a big difference to his mindset.

“We have a great group of QLD owners in the horse so it is wonderful to see him win during the Brisbane winter carnival."

The $350,000 Group Two Queensland Guineas, set to be run at Eagle Farm on May 31st is the next assignment for Havana, and with the $1.38 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap on June 7, a week after the Guineas still in the mix, nothing is set in concrete until after the Guineas run, but one thing after Saturday’s victory is clear; Havana is a horse on the up and clearly didn’t have any issues with backing up within a week.

Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to congratulate the successful owners of Havana; Arrowfield Pastoral Synd (Mgr: J Messara), Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Synd, Favretto Bloodstock Synd, P J & Mrs D D Bone, B Kennedy, T C Lloyd-Jones, S J Pont & Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D Halpin).

Blue Sky Three-year-olds stake claim

With racing on Saturday heading to Australia's unofficial thoroughbred breeding capital Scone, as well as Doomben in Queensland, Blue Sky Bloodstock purchases HAVANA and WOODBINE both head to highly competitive races.

The first of the two to race on Saturday is the Starcraft gelding Havana who backs up after his pleasing second placed effort last weekend to contest the Group Three Fred Best Classic at Doomben - field.

Jumping up to the 1350m of Saturday’s race, the rise in trip will really suit the Magic Millions graduate who found the 1100m last Saturday at the Gold Coast slightly too short.

Starcraft gelding Havana contests the Group Three Fred Best Classic over 1350m at Doomben

Starcraft gelding Havana contests the Group Three Fred Best Classic over 1350m at Doomben

With Luke Nolen to ride, the Arrowfield Pastoral Synd (Mgr: J Messara), Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Synd, Favretto Bloodstock Synd, P J & Mrs D D Bone, B Kennedy, T C Lloyd-Jones, S J Pont & Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D Halpin)-owned three-year-old has come up with barrier two which should allow him to take up a cosy potion in the run and prove hard to beat.

The second of the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchases to race on Saturday is our blue-blood colt Woodbine who contests the $400,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas at Scone over 1400m - field.

By Hussonet, our of the Champion race filly Miss Finland, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Woodbine  was slightly outclassed last time out when racing against the ‘A’ Grade in the Group One All Aged Stakes, but the start prior he finished a very good second in the Listed South Pacific Classic over 1400m at Randwick.

With a large field to contend with, jockey Brenton Avdulla will jump away from a little worse than midfield position, but the imposing looking colt is likely to go forward and could prove hard to catch in what is a very open race.

Inglis Easter graduate Woodbine heads to Scone on Saturday for the Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m).

Inglis Easter graduate Woodbine heads to Scone on Saturday for the Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m).

Although having been up for a while, the three-year-old chestnut has improved continually throughout his preparation and all at Blue Sky wish his connections; Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: J M Messara), Planette Thoroughbred Trading Pty Ltd (Mgr: J S Leaver), Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Stallion Fund No 5 (Mgr: J C H Blaxland), J W L Tan, D A S Paradice & Belford Productions Pty Ltd (Mgr: A B Jones) the best of luck on Saturday.

Sires' Produce Next Stop For Pressing

Unbeaten Victorian colt Pressing (Sebring-Lamiraqui, by Choisir) will line up in Saturday week's Gr2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes at Doomben before making his Gr1 debut in the JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on 7 June, reports horseracing.com.au.

Pressing and stable-mate Jazz Song arrived in Brisbane early yesterday morning after departing trainer Mick Price's Caulfield stable on Monday night. Price told Sky Racing HQ that the pair coped just fine with the trip to Queensland.

Safe landing, Sebring colt Pressing arrived safe and sound in Queensland. Picture by Turfpress

"They are both good," Price said. "They worked here [Caulfield] on the heavy ground on Saturday morning the reverse way and that was good for them. They got picked up from Caulfield at 11 o'clock last night and they arrived at Tony Gollan's about five o'clock this morning and it was a very good, quick, clean trip for the horses."

Pressing, who hails from the family of deceased Oaklands Stud stallion Lion Hunter, marked himself as a serious winter carnival contender when scoring a brilliant 3.5-length win in the Listed Mt Dandenong Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last start.

Price said he was circumspect about over-racing Pressing in his first preparation, but is confident the Sebring colt can perform well in Queensland.

"If he races well, he will race in the J.J. Atkins, but if we think that he has done enough we can always spell him up there," Price said.

"He is a robust little colt and he is tough."

News from Breeding And Racing

Havana great time in the Queensland sun..

With a current Good rating for the Doomben track, the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased HAVANA has been scratched from Rosehill on Saturday, and will make his Queensland debut in the Listed Channel Seven Mick Dittman Plate over 1110m – click here for final field.

After being scratched last time out due to the weather when accepted to run at the Gold Coast in a Group Three race, the Starcraft three-year-old looks set to play a leading part in the Listed event.

Two starts back Havana dominated his rivals when breaking his maiden at Canterbury over 1100m, the distance of Saturday’s race, when scoring by four lengths after jumping away extremely well from the gates and leading throughout.

Next time out, the Paul Messara-trained gelding finished in sixth place behind the Group One Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep in the Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes at Royal Randwick during the Championship race day.

Exciting Starcraft gelding Havana contests the Listed Mick Dittman Plate.

Third as a two-year-old behind eventual dual Group One winner Criterion (NZ) in the Group Two Todman Stakes at only his second career start, the Paul Messara-trained Havana has always indicated his fair share of ability.

Having defeated stakes winners such as Thump, Villa Verde, Charlie Boy, Va Pensiero, Never Can Tell, Champollion, Scandiva, Dothraki, I’m All The Talk and Paximadia during his short career to date; no other runner in Saturday’s race has form like Havana, and having drawn ideally in barrier two for the race, Havana should be able to jump away well and race in a more forward position, rather than getting back and having to work home.

Purchased from the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Blue Sky Bloodstock, Havana is still relatively only lightly raced and with the gelding holding nominations to the Group One Doomben 10,000 on May 24 and the Group One Stradbroke Handicap on June 7, it just gives an indication of how highly rated this three-year-old is by his connections.

"He is still lightly raced and makes some mistakes but he's one of those horses, if he can put it all together he could improve sharply," stated trainer Paul Messara.

Set to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for the first time, some footage of Havana from this week at Doomben can be viewed below.

Blue Sky Colt Pressing For Group One Favouritism

Unbeaten after two career starts to date, two-year-old Sebring colt PRESSING will be aimed towards the final Group One of the season for juveniles, the J.J. Atkins over 1600m on June 7, a race he is currently well in the market for.

Secured from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Blue Sky Bloodstock and Mick Price Breeding and Racing Pty Ltd, Pressing made his debut on April 12 at Caulfield and after settling at the tail of the field, came with a well-timed run through the pack to record an impressive victory, which you can view here.

Heading back to the same track on May 3 to contest the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes over 1200m, the colt once again went to the tail of the field, and although at some stages of the race was near four lengths off the last horse, jockey Brad Rawiller urged the colt along the inside, and he responded in emphatic fashion to take the race by a widening three-and-a-half lengths to Petrology, a three-quarter brother to Group One winner Aqua d’Amore, the same colt he defeated on debut.

Exciting 2yo Sebring colt Pressing, a graduate of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Picture by Turfpress

Trainer Mick Price was extremely pleased with the effort of his colt, but always knew he had the capability to win the race.

"Today wasn't so much of a surprise to see him win, but when he was off the bridle behind the second last horse that was a bit of a surprise," stated the Caulfield conditioner.

"He's a really gusty colt who saves his best for race day and he's doing the job.”

With the option now of heading to Queensland, Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Managing Director Julian Blaxland was hopeful of such success from the time he secured the Easter colt.

“He was a lovely yearling at the sales and Mick and I both had him on our lists. He was passed in during Session II at Easter last year and we bolted down to the Widden barn and thankfully secured him as other buyers arrived to negotiate. I’m certainly glad we did.

Pressing will head to Brisbane and be aimed at the Group One J. J. Atkins (1600m) on June 7. Picture by Turfpress

“He looks a nice colt with plenty of upside. This is only his first prep so he’s done a great job and if Mick’s happy with him this week, he’ll likely head to Brisbane for the Sires and the J.J. Atkins.”

With all four of the Group One races run so far this year for the two-year-old's going the way of fillies, success in the final Group One of the season would see Pressing highlight himself as a potential stallion prospect and add to the remarkable success that Blue Sky Bloodstock has achieved.

“Our first yearling colt with Mick was INSTINCTION, who won three stakes races in Melbourne and now stands at Eliza Park International in his second year at stud. Pressing certainly looks like a colt with sire potential so we are hoping he goes on with the job either in Brisbane or in Melbourne next spring.”

"I’m thrilled for the connections as it’s a small group made up of long time clients of Blue Sky Bloodstock plus a couple of first time owners.”

Having secured a few yearlings at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling sale, including a colt by Northern Meteor in partnership with Gai Waterhouse Racing, Blue Sky Bloodstock have a first class rate at securing stakes performers as yearlings, with Pressing becoming number 22 for the team since 2006.

If you would like any further information on Blue Sky Bloodstock, or how you can be involved with the Northern Meteor x Tara’s Spur colt, please contact Julian on +61 431 746 803.

Blue Sky Pair Chase Stakes Double

After recording an impressive debut victory over 1200m at Caulfield in mid-April, two-year-old Sebring colt PRESSING will head to the Listed Sky High Mt Dandenong Stakes over the same course and distance on Saturday.

Secured by BLUE SKY BLOODSTOCK and Mick Price at the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud for $100,000, the highly promising colt has already re-paid half of his purchase price from his lone start to date.

Pressing 2yo c. (Sebring x Lamiraqui)

Pressing 2yo c. (Sebring x Lamiraqui)

Raced by Rosemont Stud (Mgr: A P Mithen), Rashini (Mgr: M J Crutcher), D Santilli, R P Santilli, P A Donato, Mrs S Donato, D S Q Racing (Mgr: A Quinn), S Tsalikidis, S B Fisher, A J Greenstein, B M Holbrook, Celest Holdings (Mgr: B A Adcock), Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D C Halpin), B J Baker & A D Walters, the colt races in the colours of Rosemont Stud, the Red with the White Gatecrasher – they can’t be missed.

From the second crop of Widden Stud’s Group One Golden Slipper winner Sebring, who is currently the leading second-crop sire in Australia, the pedigree of Pressing is an impressive one, and with his dam being a three-quarter-sister to a Group One winning two-year-old, we are confident that our colt can perform extremely well and stamp himself as a future stallion prospect.

The other of the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased yearlings aiming for stakes success on Saturday is our classy three-year-old HAVANA.

Havana 3yo g. (Starcraft x Top Cuban)

Third as a two-year-old behind eventual dual Group One winner Criterion (NZ) in the Group Two Todman Stakes at only his second career start, the Paul Messara-trained Havana has always indicated his fair share of ability.

Having defeated stakes winners such as Thump, Villa Verde, Charlie Boy, Va Pensiero, Never Can Tell, Champollion, Scandiva, Dothraki, I’m All The Talk and Paximadia during his short career to date, Havana resumed from a spell two starts back and dominated his rivals, eased down to win by 4 lengths.

Finishing behind the Group One Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep second up at his next start, Havana heads to the Gold Coast on Saturday to contest the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas over 1200m.

Set to be ridden be ridden by the in-form Blake Shinn, fresh from a treble at Wagga on Thursday including victory in the Listed Wagga Town Plate, Havana has drawn barrier four, but will come into three if the emergencies don’t get a run.

From the good gate, the Starcraft gelding may be able to be ridden a little more forward, and like two starts back, explode away from his opposition when the whips are cracking.

If you are interested in finding out some more information on how you can be involved in racing with Blue Sky Bloodstock, contact Julian Blaxland on +61 431 746 803 or click here to head over and view the horses purchased so far in 2014.

 

Selection Is Everything – Easter 2014

With racing being very much a multi-dimension industry, where buying a yearling at a sale to perform on the race track is only one, of many facets. On the other hand, going to a yearling sale to secure a potential "sire prospect" that can go on to compete at black-type level before a successful stud career is what buyers dream about.

Blue Sky Bloodstock can help you secure those dreams – and their record highlights that! With numerous successful colts purchased from the Inglis Sale ring in the past few years, many of these colts have gone on to earn black-type on the track before retiring to the breeding sheds of some of Australasia’s most respected thoroughbred studs.

Putting in the hours of ground work is where the search begins and Julian and his team have been hard at work for many months, inspecting the yearlings on the farms, before analysing their pedigrees not only to see what is on trend at present, but looking for families that produce stallions.

Having spent the past few days at the sales complex inspecting a majority of their “short list”, Blue Sky are confident that there are some high quality stakes-winning sire prospects amongst them.

 “We are delighted with the quality of the catalogue and have a good list of future sire prospects selected and vetted ahead of Day 1 of the Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket, stated Blaxland.

“Blue Sky will look to build on our past buying record at Inglis yearling sales (BENETEAU, SHRAPNEL, INSTINCTION, WOODBINE, REKINDLED ALLIANCE etc) with colts purchased in 2014 heading to leading trainers Gai Waterhouse, Danny O’Brien and Gerald Ryan.”

With the likes of Exceed And Excel, Fastnet Rock, Flying Spur, Choisir, Encosta de Lago, Al Maher and Reset all having been sold under the famed ‘fig tree’ at the Inglis’ Newmarket Complex at Randwick, it is the must attend sale if your ultimate aim is to secure a potential stallion prospect.

When discussing some of his short list, Julian highlighted that “there are some lovely running types in this year’s catalogue by sires such as Northern Meteor, Snitzel, Stratum, High Chaparral as well as Exceed And Excel to name but a few.

“Hopefully we can secure two or three quality colts within our criteria with future sire potential at the right money.”

Below is small clip that highlights the success of Blue Sky Bloodstock in recent years and if you would like to read any further on the Blue Sky Bloodstock Stallion Funds, please click here.

Once the Easter Yearling Sale has been completed, the yearlings we have been fortunate enough to secure will be placed on our website as well as on all our social media platforms, so please keep your eyes open, or alternatively, you can contact Julian on 0431746803 or via email on julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au to express your interest.

Group One claims for Woodbine

With the Randwick Guineas the first of a host of Group One races run during the Sydney Autumn carnival for three-year-old’s, it is rewarding for Blue Sky Bloodstock to have Hussonet colt WOODBINE set to take his place in the field.

Secured from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Woodbine is the second foal from the Champion Redoute’s Choice mare Miss Finland, a winner of ten stakes races; five at Group One Level including the Golden Slipper, Australian Guineas and the VRC Oaks.

Having only had five starts to date, Woodbine has recorded three victories and off the back of a 28 day freshen-up, finished fourth, beaten fewer than two lengths last start in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes.

                   Woodbine, 3yo c (Hussonet x Miss Finland, by Redoute's Choice) - secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock

Set to appreciate the step up to the 1600m in the Randwick Guineas, the Gai Waterhouse-trained colt will be ridden by Nash Rawiller, who was also successful on the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased HAVANA on Wednesday at Randwick.

Both Woodbine and Havana join other yearling colts that were secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock as part of the successful Stallion Partnerships.

Since 2008 Blue Sky Bloodstock has targeted a number of colts every year that fit out criteria to purchase and race with partners. Our objective is to produce stakes winning colts worthy of commercial stud duties.

In 2014 Blue Sky and its team of trainers will again offer owners the opportunity to partner with us in a number of high quality yearling colts with stallion potential. We've enjoyed considerable success to date in our quest for the next commercial stallion, purchasing (as yearlings) stakes colts BENETEAU, BETTER BE THE ONE, DEMPSEY, INSTINCTION, MASTER ARCHIE, SHRAPNEL, SUPER EASY, REKINDLED ALLIANCE and RED HOT CHOICE to date, but we firmly believe our best stallion prospects are yet to be purchased.

So far this year we have secured three colts from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Fastnet Rock, Northern Meteor and Beneteau (click for details) and we will head to the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with the intention to secure another three to four colts that we can race with the ultimate aim being successful career as a stallion at stud.

If you are interested in finding out more about the 2014 Stallion Partnership please contact Julian Blaxland on 0431746803 or via email on julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au

Havana Sheds Maiden Tag In Fine Style

Having his first run this time in off the back of a gelding operation, Starcraft gelding HAVANA jumped from the outside barrier in the 10 horse field before coming across to sit in the lead.

With jockey Nash Rawiller controlling the tempo upfront, Havana kicked clear as they rounded the home turn, sprinting with all the class you’d expect, eased down on the line for a four length victory.

You knew once race caller Mark Shean stated “Havana’s kicked into another gear”, that the race was all over.

Havana and Nash Rawiller eased down at the post

Havana and Nash Rawiller eased down at the post

A galloper that had always shown stakes ability, the Arrowfield Pastoral Synd (Mgr: J Messara), Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Synd, Favretto Bloodstock Synd, P J & Mrs D D Bone, B Kennedy, T C Lloyd-Jones, S J Pont & Just Fun Racing Synd (Mgr: D Halpin) owned three-year-old is now likely to head to the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) in two-and-a-half weeks and with some further improvement, is likely to step up again in class after that.

Holding nominations to the Group One Star Doncaster Handicap and the Group Two Arrowfield Royal Sovereign Stakes over the two days of “The Championship” race days, Havana is just one of a handful of Carnival Contenders for Blue Sky Bloodstock (click here to read more)

Having had two trials leading into the race, jockey Nash Rawiller stated post-race that after he trialled him the first time that he “simply fell in love with him.”

So taken with the victory, Rawiller also stated, “He's a Group One horse down the track we just need to take him steadily towards that.”

Trainer Paul Messara was also suitably impressed with the victory.

"He's always been a class horse, gelding has made all the difference and he showed that," he said.

"He lengthened out very quickly and found the line.

"He's a relatively inexperienced horse and I think today he showed what he can do.

Secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Havana is one of a host of class three-year-old purchased that year, with another being the Hussonet colt WOODBINE that heads to the Group One Randwick Guineas this coming Saturday.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the purchases made so far this year, head over to the 2014 Colts Purchased page on the website, or contact Julian Blaxland on 0431746803 or via email on julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au

Instinction is everything…

As we head towards the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland will once again be in attendance, looking at purchasing some outstanding colts.

In 2010, Blue Sky Bloodstock and Caulfield-based trainer Mick Price secured an Exceed And Excel colt out of the stakes-winning Encosta de Lago mare De Lago Mist.

Racing as Instinction, the flashy grey broke his maiden impressively by a length at his second start of his three-year-old season before heading straight to town and although starting at the lucrative odds of 30/1, defeated Mahisara, Amah Rock and Mental in the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes over 1400m during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Instinction - winner of the Listed Hilton Hotel Stakes (1400m)

Heading for a break, the colt resumed in the Listed Zeditave Stakes, and punters once again sent the son of Champion Sire Exceed And Excel out at big odds, but the Craig Newitt-ridden colt produced the goods, scoring by a length-and-three-quarters, defeating Specter, Petman and Adamantium.

Finishing in a dead-heat for third at his next start in the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes, the colt had one more run that campaign before a long spell.

Running third first-up after experiencing some trouble in the run, the colt recorded another stakes win that campaign, capturing the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes at Caulfield over 1400m.

Secured by Eliza Park International as a stallion, Instinction stood his first season at stud in the most recent breeding season, covering an impressive book from their Queensland property.

While not having purchased a lot of yearlings from the Premier sale, Blue Sky Bloodstock’s has secured some outstanding yearlings in the past from the Inglis including Beneteau, Shrapnel, Extreme Impact, Rekindled Alliance, and the exciting Woodbine, the winner of three of his four starts and being aimed at the Group One Randwick Guineas.

“We are really focussing on purchasing early running future sire prospects in 2014 and have purchased three such colts at the Gold Coast Magic Millions earlier this year.

“We will be attending Inglis Premier, Easter and the Magic Millions National Sale to select and purchase select colts to add to our Beneteau, Northern Meteor and Fastnet Rock colts which already at the breakers (click here for more detail).

“Obviously we are keen to build on our record of getting commercial sires to stud for our owners and are working with proven Group 1 winning trainers this year again to achieve this.” stated Blaxland.

If you are interesting in getting involved in racing with Blue Sky Bloodstock, or would like to know any information on upcoming Yearling Sales we plan on attending, please do not hesitate to call Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803 or via email on julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au

You can click here to view the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale catalogue.

Super Easy secures second Horse Of The Year Title

Purchased by Blue Sky Bloodstock at the 2010 New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Esker Lodge for $140,000, Darci Brahma entire Super Easy was recently awarded the Singapore Horse Of The Year title for the second consecutive year.

"Michael Freedman and I selected the colt from Esker Lodge's Karaka draft and he showed his class as an early juvenile, breaking a long held track record at Trentham on debut as a 2yo. His Singapore record speaks for itself and I've no doubt he would have proved a Group One horse in Australia if he'd had the opportunity to race here in his career,” stated Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Managing Director Julian Blaxland.

Super Easy's quality can be summed up in a few noteworthy points:

  • Singapore Horse of the Year - twice
  • Champion 3YO 2013
  • Multiple G1 winner of over $NZ2.1m
  • Won 15 races - 12 in succession
  • Broke Trentham, NZ 1000m track record (which still stands) in his first start in 56.20 beating Filly of the Year Planet Rock
  • Super Easy was rated as the Third highest southern hemisphere bred 3yo sprinter behind Sepoy & Foxwedge

Having recently completed his first season at Hallmark Stud in New Zealand, Super Easy is another prime example of the quality colts secure by Julian Blaxland at yearling sales in Australasia. If you are keen to be involved in any future purchases, please click here to head over to the Contact page

Check out an article from Saturday’s ANZ Bloodstock News by clicking here.

Super Easy

Super Easy



Blue Sky’s Carnival Contenders

With an amazing number of nominations received recently for “The Championship” race days, it was exciting for Blue Sky Bloodstock to not only nominate some of the horses under our ownership banner, but also see a number of yearlings that we've purchased for various other clients also heading towards the Championship races.

The two-day event features ten Championship races across two first-class Saturdays in April with over $18 million in prizemoney on offer. It is a dazzling array of time honoured races across each age and distance category.

Below is a list of all 10 Championship races highlighting the significant prizemoney on offer and those Blue Sky Bloodstock graduates that have been nominated.

Saturday April 12

$3 million Group One Star Doncaster Handicap (1600m)

  • Keep De Rose
  • Havana
  • Woodbine
  • Express Power 
Woodine, 3yo c. (Hussonet x Miss Finland)

Woodine, 3yo c. (Hussonet x Miss Finland)

$2.5 million Group One Darley TJ Smith (1200m)

  • Better Than Ready 

$2 million Group One BMW Australian Derby (2400m)

$1 million Group One Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m)

 

Saturday April 19

$4 million Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m)

  • Express Power 

$1 million Group One Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m)

$1 million Group One Australian Oaks (2400m)

$1 million Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m)

  • Keep De Rose
  • Express Power 
Keep De Rose 4yo m. (Keeper x Grove Nymph)

Keep De Rose 4yo m. (Keeper x Grove Nymph)

$500,000 Group Two Arrowfield Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m)

  • Havana
  • Woodbine

$500,000 Group Three Royal Randwick Stakes (1200m)

  • Choice Cat
  • Boundary

"It's certainly exciting for owners to have a significant number of our purchases nominated for feature races over the ATC Autumn Carnival in the new format of The Championships. What a great boom for racing in NSW and certainly the shot in the arm needed for owners striving for Group race success.

Keep De Rose resumes this weekend in Melbourne and will be aimed at the Doncaster along with Woodbine and Havana. I'm eager for both Woodbine and Better Than Ready to have good campaigns this Autumn as they both undoubtedly have commercial stallion potential.

We buy colts like these for our owners with the objective being to race at carnival time in Sydney and Melbourne and hopefully these two can keep improving and get the job done for our owners in the Autumn. " stated Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland.

For any further information on how you can get involved in racing with Blue Sky Bloodstock, or would like to know any information on upcoming Yearling Sales we plan on attending, please do not hesitate to call Julian Blaxland on +61 431 746 803 or via email on julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au

Keep De Rose trials in fine style

Having an 800m jump out on the Flemington Course Proper this morning, the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased KEEP DE ROSE pleased all concerned with her very good fourth placed finish.

Ridden by Craig Williams, the leading jockey was thrilled with how the mare had physically matured during her break and is excited about her prospects this campaign.

Set to trial again next week, Keep De Rose is likely to head to the Group Three Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield on February 22, the same day as the running of the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.

A winner of four with a further five placed efforts from only 10 starts, including narrow a last start third in the Group Two Energy Australia Stakes (Matriarch), Keep De Rose has improved at each and every run, and all at Blue Sky Bloodstock are excited about her prospects this campaign.

You can view footage of the jump out below – Keep De Rose is in the Navy, White Checked Sleeves and Red Cap.