January 10, 2014Newhaven Park Sell Million Dollar Colt
As successful as this Magic Millions Yearling Sale has been, it has lacked superstars at the top end – but that all changed this afternoon when Newhaven Park sold a stunning Redoute’s Choice colt from blue-blooded mare Hades for $1million.
In pre-sale inspections the colt was widely talked about as being best on ground and that opinion was vindicated when he attracted keen competition before Gai Waterhouse finally asserted her superiority to sign for him at $1million, the recorded buyer being John Kelly (USA)/ Gai Waterhouse/James Harron Bloodstock.
American John Kelly is not to be confused with Newhaven Park’s John Kelly, who bred and sold the star colt!
“John Kelly is a gentleman from America who is here with his wife and they have bred and owned horses all over the world, but have never invested in Australia before,” Gai Waterhouse told Sky.
“Hopefully this will be the beginning of a wonderful relationship.”
The colt is the second foal of metropolitan winning Encosta de Lago mare Hades, a daughter of Champion Two Year Old Hasna, who was also prepared by Waterhouse to win seven races and $1.2 million highlighted by Group I wins in the AJC Champagne Stakes and Sires Produce Stakes.
“He’s by a champion sire in Redoute’s Choice, who is getting older, so there won’t be as many great colts by him in the future and this one comes from such a an exceptionally fast and precocious family of horses,” said Waterhouse.
“I trained his grandma, so I know this family well.”
The first foal of Hades, another colt by Redoute’s Choice, made $460,000 at this sale last year when purchased by Ingordo Bloodstock on behalf of Waratah Thoroughbreds.
He has since been named The Iliad and has won his only trial for Peter Moody back in November.
Hades is certainly showing all the right signs to be a successful broodmare, which is good news for the Kelly family of Newhaven Park given they purchased her as a yearling at Inglis Easter in 2007 for $1.5 million.
“He’s the best horse we brought to the sale this year and we are delighted that the buyers shared our opinion,” said an elated John Kelly.
“It’s been a special year for us having bred and sold the two year-old race favourite Unencumbered and now to have sold a million dollar yearling.
“We are thrilled he has gone to such a high profile stable as he will have every opportunity to succeed with Gai and we wish her all the best with him.”
Newhaven Park have had a lot of faith in the Redoute’s Choice x Hades mating and have a filly foal to follow with the mare now back in foal to the Arrowfield Stud stalwart, who is currently back in France for another season with Aga Khan Studs.