Attunga Stud continues to thrive in its new location with homebred Parlophone winning the 2020 SAJC Lightning Stakes-Listed recently, while last year’s South Australia Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) is a highlight from recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale drafts for the farm.
This property is in its infancy, being part of the original Wakefield Stud. I can’t seem to escape the clutches of Brian Agnew,” proprietor Brian Nutt joked. “He was a great boss to me and many others, and the previous Attunga property was also part of the original Wakefield Stud, so it’s somewhat fitting to be back here.” The old Attunga farm was sold to neighbours Yarraman Park in 2018. Other recent Magic Millions graduates for the Attunga brand include Gr.3 winner Sun City and Listed winner Champ Elect.
How has your farm risen to the challenges presented by COVID 19?
Having sold Attunga a few years ago, and now with starting a new property, we didn’t qualify for Jobkeeper which has been a huge financial burden. It has also been extremely difficult to get staff for the yearling season; our last few advertisements have had no applicants. With all the travel restrictions, there are no backpackers. It is easier to find people who want to do the sales week, but not so easy to find those who want to do the hard yards on the farm. In terms of yearling inspections, the opening borders will help as it allows agents to visit us on the farm, and we’ve seen an increase in interest recently.
Who are your favourite stallions?
Taking out the top of the sire chart ones, I also like Deep Field. He gets a lot of winners and produces a type. Dundeel can get an elite horse, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Capitalist progeny go as Golden Slipper winners have a very good record at stud.
The 2021 Attunga Magic Millions Draft
Attunga will present six colts and seven fillies at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“The half brother to the Derby winner Qafila, who we also sold, is our highlight colt. He’s a lovely colt, a very good mover with a great attitude. He looks like an athletic specimen.” By sought after stallion, I Am Invincible, this colt is out of imported mare Zighy Bay, whose second foal is Gr.1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila. Zighy Bay is a half-sister to Japanese Gr.1 winner Mozu Superflare, and USA group winner Sacristy, dam of stakes winner and Gr.1 placed Flor de la Mar.
“The Capitalist from Silk Sheets is a horse I could see at the races early.” Out of winning Exceed And Excel mare Silk Sheets, this colt is from the family of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, as well as recent stakes winner Ain’tnodeeldun. Attunga has another Capitalist colt on offer, from winning mare Royal Schilling, who is a half-sister to group winner Fire in the Night, and to the dam of consistent sprinter Hooked.
Attunga will also offer colts by Pariah, War Decree, and Written Tycoon. Of the seven fillies in this draft, Nutt is keen on the half-sister to Gr.3 Maribyrnong Stakes winner Vinicunca. “She’s a strong early type of filly, typical of the sire.” By Deep Field, this filly has plenty of juvenile form in her pedigree, as her dam is a winning half-sister to Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner Carry on Cutie, and to the dam of Gr.1 Champagne Stakes winner The Mission. Attunga has another Deep Field filly on offer, who is the third foal of winning half-sister to stakes winners Elderly Paradise, King Diamond, and Hosting.
A half-sister to Gr.1 winner Griante by Rubick will provide a chance to buy into a strong colonial family, while the Extreme Choice filly from Wanted Lady is from a family on the improve, with the likes of Mizzy adding blacktype recently, and this filly’s full brother, already named Abseiler is a two year-old who holds a nomination for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. From the first crop of Tosen Stardom (Deep Impact) is a half-sister to group winner Princess Posh from the family of Gr.1 winner Mr Innocent. Attunga Stud will also offer fillies by Pariah and Zoustar.
What is something you refuse to share?
My first two Margaritas.
What are the unwritten rules of where you work?
I always tell staff: Think about the person who is coming to do a job after you. Don’t leave things half done, be prepared, don’t leave the quad bike empty of fuel, etc.
