Its not everyday you can “invest” into a Blue Blood Colt that not only has the looks- the athletic grace and the pedigree of a champion but that’s exactly what Australian Bloodstock has managed to do at the Magic Millions January Yearling Sold.

This colt hails from an exceptionally bred Darley/Godolphin mare in DISPUTES who herself was a proven Group 1 Performer and Stakes Winner . A winner of the Reginald Allen Disputes was a mare of rare talent. On debut she ran 3^rd in the time honoured Gimcrack Stakes- the best pre Christmas 2yr old race for fillies in the land. On that day she ran into two freakish talented horses in Defiant Dame and Hallowell Bell. Given a short spell she then was produced in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes to be beaten just 1.5 lengths behind Altar and Pane in the Glass- two proven elite class horses.

From there she competed almost exclusively in Group company races running 5^th in both the Group 1 Sires and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas- both times unlucky in the run – not to mention she ran into Genuine Champions in Helmet and Atlantic Jewel

It was no surprise then to see her excel in the next stage of her career at stud. With 3 foals to race for 3 city winners- Disputes has proven she is capable of getting Elite horses herself having produced Group 2 Winner and Group 1 talented ASIAGO. In fact her 3 city winners she has thrown have between them won 15 races which is a testament to her  and her progeny toughness

This Astern colt from Day 1 has had this X Factor and its interesting to hear the comments from those people who have had the most to do with him. Take for Example the comments of Toskana Lodge farm manager in well respected horseman KYLE WILCHER. MR Wilcher commented “ ive been lucky enough to handle a lot of good horses and from day 1 this colt has shown me characteristics that only the good ones do- His attitude is brilliant and whilst he has some “spunk about him” I think he thinks he knows he is good- he is certainly a lovely type and off the 120 horses on the farm I think he would probably be one of my favourites.

Raheen Stud owner and President of the Queensland Breeders Association Mr Basil Nolan said “ we sell and get to handle a lot of horses each year and I remember this horse well because he was just so professional and did everything so well during the sales preparation- I remember thinking he would make a lot more than he ended up making but I think that was more a result of what time he went through the ring rather than there being anything wrong with him- to me his the type of horse that wouldn’t surprise me if he went on and had a 5 year plus race track career as he was always so sensible and he just gave me the impression he was a horse who knew he was good”

We spoke to one of the men behind his mating in Mr Barley Ward-Thomas from Darley/Godolphin and what inspired him to mate the mare to Astern. Mr Ward- Thomas Said- “ we are big believers in Astern and his results are excellent so we wanted to give him as good a mares as possible and the cross for us was so obvious as some absolute champions have been bred on a similar cross. Physically the mating worked very well and it was actually a simple decision to make. Astern can get you a very good 2 yr old but they also train on. I really liked disputes as a racehorse and now a mare as she puts a lot into her progeny and that is evident by the record of her progeny on the racetrack

This colt will be trained by Kris Lees and having seen him both at the sales and at the farm Kris had this to say “ I thought he was amazing value and was very surprised the boys got him at such a good price- I love these well bred horses and from what I see he is going to have every chance – I cant wait to give him a squeeze – id think he will be a good chance to run early so like everyone id hope we can get back to the Magic Millions if not next year for the next few years

He certainly has the X factor this colt and for 5% at $5235 he is going to be hopefully in time another bargain buy