Group 1 sprinter Golden Archer is gearing up for his next book at Raheen Stud after averaging over 90 mares in his first three seasons.

The first Golden Archers will appear later this year and Raheen’s Basil Nolan jnr believes he’s the best value sire in Queensland at a $6,600 (inc gst) service fee.  “His yearlings sold to $120,000 at the Magic Millions in January and they averaged nearly $60,000,” he said.  “There were another 14 at the March Sale that averaged $38,000.”

Golden Archer will have more of his initial crop catalogued for the Magic Millions 2YO Sale and a colt related to Group 1 Hong Kong sprinter Royal Delight will be one of the standouts when he parades at the Gold Coast in October.

Golden Archer represents the Danehill sireline through Group 1 champion Rock Of Gibraltar and he won five times a two including Listed events at Flemington, Caulfield and Moonee Valley.  He trained on as a three-year¬ old to win the G3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield and, in his final campaign, was placed behind Black Caviar in the G1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

“Golden Archer is a cracking individual and so are his foals,” Nolan said.  “They’re strong types with plenty of muscle, good bone and have been well received in the sale ring – a perfect fit for QTIS.”

Raheen Stud’s record as a breeder and vendor is second to none and that was borne out at the winter carnival with I’m Belucci grabbing a Group 1 placing in the Queensland Derby.  Other Raheen-bred runners with Brisbane black-type updates recently include Snippets Land who won the G3 Darley Sprint, Beatniks (3rd G3 Glenlogan Park Stakes), Too Good To Refuse (2nd G3 Gunsynd Classic) and there’s also a promising 2yo colt with Desleigh Forster named Zendaye.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Sylpheed is another Magic Millions graduate from Raheen showing untapped ability.  She won on debut at Wyong in April and was then spirited across to Morphettville for a Listed placing the Queen Adelaide Stakes.  Her dam Domitilla (Strategic) is a half-sister to G2 Champagne Classic winner Free Wheeling and she has a cracking yearling filly by Rothesay and a Golden Archer colt foaled in October.