Lauriston Thoroughbreds sold another $300,000 yearling at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale on Tuesday when its Redoute’s Choice – Glimmers colt was signed for a South African syndicate by Nordic Racing and Breeding.
Syndicate manager Derek Brugman said the colt will race in Singapore with Rocket Man’s trainer Pat Shaw. Nordic is the Australian arm of leading South African owner Markus Jooste. Joining Jooste in the colt are fellow South African businessmen Bernard Kantor and Marsh Shirtliff.
Lauriston operations manager James O’Brien, who is also vice-president of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Victoria, said the returns justified the decision to sell its yearlings at Oaklands instead of the Inglis Easter Sale.
“Inglis accepted five of our yearlings for Sydney,” O’Brien revealed. “But we opted to withdraw them and stay in Melbourne.”
The first Lauriston to make $300,000 was the Snitzel filly from the O’Brien’s Brisbane stakes performer Acceleration (Encosta de Lago). She was purchased by Brad Spicer at the Premier Sale on Monday and will be trained by Leon Corstens.
The Redoute’s Choice colt is a three-quarter brother to star filly Gold Edition who won Group 1 sprints at Flemington and Moonee Valley in the familiar orange and emerald green colours of James’ parents Kevin and Tanith O’Brien.
“We have gradually moved away from a racing operation in recent years to concentrate on breeding,” O’Brien said. “We have another 8 catalogued for the Adelaide Magic Millions – the only yearlings we are retaining this year are fillies by Danewin and Elvstroem.”
Lauriston is based 120km south east of Melbourne on the shores of Western Port Bay. “We support the Victorian industry whenever possible,” O’Brien added. “And it’s much more rewarding with schemes likes Super VOBIS and VOBIS Gold.”
After the Redoute’s Choice –Glimmers colt went through the ring, the Lauriston draft was averaging a sky-high $195,000.
Lauriston has fillies by Turffontein (2) and Domesday catalogued for Session 2 of the Premier Sale on Thursday.
– Karl Patterson