Karaka Sales can be Brutal
This is the story of the one that got away.
Two years ago at the Karaka Sales principals of Go Racing, Albert Bosma and Pat Vinaccia, had done their homework and were ringside to bid on a stunning O’Reilly x Alberton Princess colt.
“We liked him a lot. He was a stunning example of his dad and I had made notes in my catalogue about his laid back demeanour and that he was a top chance.” says Albert, “His physique matched his pedigree and he was a lovely package.”
They thought had him at $180,000 when bidding stalled and the hammer was poised. It happened again at $210,000. But when bidding re-commenced they had reached their limit and they were outbid at $220,000.
On the weekend that colt, Brutal, went on to win the biggest mile race in Australia – the Doncaster Mile at Randwick worth A$3 million.
“It’s a stallion-making race and he’s now a multi-million dollar horse. We were gutted naturally to miss out on him but at the same time his result is validation that we can back our judgement with yearlings.
It was the same sale that the team bought Group 1 NZ Oaks winner Sentimental Miss.
“She was at the other end of our buying budget – a modest $40,000 – so quality can come at both ends of the buying scale and Go Racing owners can feel confident no matter what their budget.”
“At the end of the day we are pleased for Brutal and his connections that he has done so well. We will watch his stallion career with interest.”