Ashokan highlights value of Flying Spur fillies

If racing potential and residual value are the twin mantras of premier yearling buyers, the ten Flying Spur fillies in the 2012 Easter Sale catalogue must be high on their list.

Flying Spur’s lifetime record of seven per cent SW/runners is hard to match and just over half of his 84 stakeswinners are fillies, headed by Group 1 winners Forensics, Alverta, Juanmo, Sleek Chassis and All Time High.

Pictured: Bloodstock agent James Harron & trainer John O’Shea celebrate Ashokan’s Group 3 victory at Randwick this afternoon. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

And today’s ATC Skyline S. G3 quinella by Ashokan and Raceway adds to the abundant evidence that Flying Spur fillies are also making outstanding broodmares.

The John O’Shea-trained Ashokan is the 26th stakeswinner from a Flying Spur mare, in this case November Flight whose 7 wins included the ATC Millie Fox S. G3.

Bred by Hobartville Stud and offered under the Kitchwin Hills banner at last year’s Easter Sale, Ashokan was sold for $810,000 to bloodstock agent James Harron for his clients Dr Edmund & Belinda Bateman. The Batemans have also enjoyed Group success with Foxwedge and Flying Spur’s daughter Satin Shoes – both purchased by Harron from the 2010 Easter Sale.

Also an Easter Sale graduate and winner of last month’s ATC Canonbury S. LR, Raceway was bred by Corumbene Stud from the non-winner Claws and purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $150,000.

Ashokan and Raceway are among the six stakeswinners from only 32 runners bred on the More Than Ready/Flying Spur cross, a list headed by 2008 Golden Slipper G1 winner Sebring.

Interestingly, Flying Spur and his relative Encosta de Lago are the only two sires in Australia holding top 20 positions on both the General & Broodmare Sires’ tables.

Check out the Arrowfield draft for the 2012 Easter Yearling Sale – it includes four Flying Spur fillies, the Encosta de Lago filly from Sara’s Choice and two yearlings from Flying Spur mares, Lots 295 and 363.