Blue Gum Farm sires Red Arrow and Turffontein have been targeted by trainers from home and abroad at the major yearling sales this year.

The first Red Arrows to go under the hammer were purchased by David Jolly ($50,000) and Gerald Ryan ($42,500) at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January.  Ryan prepares Red Arrow’s close relation Mrs Onassis and she subsequently won the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.  Having trainers of that calibre pursuing his stock is a fantastic endorsement for a young stallion!

Red Arrow backed that up with a $31,000 colt out of the Gold Coast QTIS Sale last weekend.  It was tough going at the QTIS Sale but the Red Arrow – Passerine colt made well above the overall average to local trainer Bruce Hill.

“He’s a lovely, strong, athletic colt,” Hill said a day after taking the colt home.  “Red Arrow is a son of Red Ransom from Blue Diamond winner Lady Jakeo so there’s nothing wrong with the pedigree, either.”

The Red Arrows sold up to $68,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale with top price being paid by Adelaide trainer John Hyam for the half-brother to talented Brisbane filly She’s In The Guide.

Turffontein was also popular at the Melbourne Premier and his yearlings found homes with Group 1 trainers Lindsey Smith ($77,000), Anthony Cummings ($50,000) and Tony Vasil ($50,000).  His off-shore sales were led by South Africa’s Global Bloodstock ($65,000) and Singapore trainer Brian Dean ($40,000).

“It was very encouraging to see the Turffonteins go to such good stables,” Blue Gum owner Philip Campbell said.  “Anthony trained Turffontein and he was delighted to see him siring such good types.  He bought the half-sister to Brisbane stakes winner Dalzar.”

Turffontein averaged $41,700 at the Melbourne Premier and he has another 9 yearlings catalogued for the VOBIS Gold Sale at Oaklands including three fillies and a colt from Blue Gum.

– Karl Patterson