Equiano colt makes $120K at Magic Millions

Kennewell Racing purchased the first southern hemisphere yearling by Equiano (Fr) for $120,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions on Wednesday.

Catalogued by Swettenham Stud, the Equiano – Subtle Breeze colt is a younger half-brother to Trust In A Gust who won the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Carat at Caulfield last Saturday.

The good-looking chestnut was targeted by Adelaide trainers Gary and Lloyd Kennewell.  “He’s an nice type – athletic and strong with plenty of size,” Lloyd Kennewell said.  “He’s Super VOBIS qualified so I’m sure we will be crossing the border for the bonuses.”

Equiano was a dual Group 1 winner of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and his initial northern crop of two year-olds are raring to go in Europe.

His Magic Millions colt is from USA bred mare Subtle Breeze (Storm Cat) who is a three-quarter sister to 1994 English Oaks winner Balanchine.  “I bought the dam from my father’s dispersal at Keeneland in 2007,” Swettenham owner Adam Sangster recalled.  “We bred Trust In A Gust and the mare foaled a colt by our Group 1 sprinter Master Of Design in September.”

Balanchine was sired by champion racehorse and sire Storm Bird.  The late Robert Sangster had purchased him for $1 million at the 1979 Keeneland yearling sale.

“I’m very happy with today’s result,” Adam Sangster said shortly after Lloyd Kennewell signed the sale sheet.  “It’s a testament to studmaster Brian Gorman and all the staff at Swettenham.”

Equiano has a filly ex Hidden Charge (Lot 448) and a colt ex Mesh (Lot 562) scheduled to sell on Friday at the Gold Coast.