Shalaa builds momentum on track & in the ring
Shalaa has made a strong start to his stud career with his first European 2YOs and his first Australian yearlings-now-2YOs. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
Invincible Spirit’s brilliant Group 1-winning son Shalaa returns to Arrowfield next week on a wave of racetrack and sale-ring success that will keep the spotlight on his first-crop Australian runners this season.
The good news keeps coming from Shalaa’s first northern hemisphere juveniles. On Tuesday he recorded his 4th individual winner when the filly Cream of the Crop (ex I’m So Glad by Danehill’s son Clodovil) won over 5 furlongs at her second start in England.
Shalaa’s 5th winner followed on Wednesday at La Teste de Buch in France, where King Shalaa (ex Baki by Turtle Bowl) sprinted smartly to win over 1600 metres on debut. One race later over the same distance, Shalaa’s daughter Samrah (ex Badee Ah by Motivator) finished with alacrity for a close-up debut third.
Meanwhile, in Australia the just-turned 2YO son of Shalaa and Crowned Glory (by Danehill) achieved the top price of $360,000 at Monday’s session of the Magic Millions National Sale when offered by Gooree Stud on behalf of the Estate of leading owner and breeder, the late Eduardo Cojuangco.
The colt was purchased by Matt Laurie & Bahen Bloodstock with Andrew Williams who explained their enthusiasm for the half-brother to Hallowed Crown & Needs Further.
“First and foremost, I thought he was a ripping sort with lovely size and scope and he comes from one of the great nurseries in Australia.
“We’ve been beaten on a lot (of Shalaas) but this is a pretty unique horse with his pedigree and…the Cojuangco family and Gooree’s history with good horses.”
Another Shalaa colt was sold during the main session of the Sale for the fourth-highest price of $240,000. Offered by Valiant Stud, he is out of Lonoree (by Lonhro), from the family of Group 1 winner Secret Agenda, and was purchased by trainer Kelly Schweida.
The inclusion of Shalaa’s seven colts and one filly sold across both sessions takes the average price for his 69 first-crop horses sold in Australia this year to $158,898 – more than five times his fee.
Shalaa’s top-priced Australian yearling was the $600,000 colt out of Jemison (by Commands), now named Cheerful Legend, bought by John Sadler for Bon Ho from Arrowfield’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Arrowfield also sold Shalaa’s top-priced filly ex Joy Ride (by Redoute’s Choice), knocked down to Peter Katelanis & Astute Bloodstock for $450,000 at the same Sale.
Shalaa is scheduled to arrive at Arrowfield on Tuesday 11 August and stands his fourth Australian season at an unchanged fee of $33,000 inc. GST.
