HKJC buys top-priced Flying Spur yearlings

Champion sire Flying Spur may be enjoying the peace and quiet of a retirement paddock, but his final crop of yearlings are making plenty of noise at the 2014 Magic Millions Sale.

Four lots by Flying Spur were offered in today’s strong opening session of the Gold Coast auction, and all four of them sold, for an average price of $195,000.

It was fitting that the Hong Kong Jockey Club should buy his two top-priced lots, the $320,000 colt from Vivacious Spirit, presented by Willow Park Stud on behalf of Tarcoola Stud, and the $200,000 colt from Serenada, out of the Baramul Stud draft.

Flying Spur has a tremendous record in Hong Kong where his 40 winners include Hong Kong Sprint G1 winner Inspiration, domestic Group 1 winner Firebolt, stakeswinner Sapelli and major earners Island Speed, Lucky Hero, Real Supreme, The Prince, Flying Kenny, Lucky Paradise & Glory Years.

A pair of fillies completed Flying Spur’s offering today and both fetched six-figure sums. Woppitt Bloodstock bought Coolmore’s filly from Satirical Lady for $120,000, while Badgers Bloodstock signed at $140,000 for Sledmere Stud’s filly from the Grand Lodge mare Take the Gold.

The Take the Gold filly is destined for the stable of Paul Messara who describes her as a “replica of Alverta as a yearling.” Messara trained the top-class daughter of Flying Spur to win eight races including the STC Coolmore Classic G1, and run third, behind Starspangledbanner & Equiano, in the Newmarket July Cup G1.

Flying Spur has another nine lots on offer at the Magic Millions Sale, among them Lot 388 in the Arrowfield consignment, a powerful colt from the French-bred mare Fifth Avenue.