Steve and Eliza Grant’s Silverdale Farm at Avoca in the NSW Southern Highlands is rapidly making a name for itself as a vendor of premium yearlings at Australia’s major sales, with the farm’s second ever Inglis Classic draft a prime example of what the farm has to offer.
Silverdale’s Stud Manager Rob Petith is enthusiastic about the 2022 Classic, “We had a great result at our first Classic offering of yearlings from this property last year, selling all five we took along at decent prices. We love to support this sale, it is a real type sale and if you take to market good physicals, you can achieve good interest fromthe buyers. Our aim at Silverdale is to breed and raise yearlings that are sought after
at any of the premium sales and the Inglis Classic is well and truly one of those. But further than that, we have a very strong focus on raising yearlings that are not only ready for sale, they are ready for “life”. We go to extraordinary lengths to give them an all round education to ensure they are the best horse in the stable to handle, which will put them in good stead with their trainers, strappers etc. We try to expose them to as many things as possible from a young age. We want buyers to end up with a yearling that’s good to work with and will lead to repeat business. We are confident that the great foundation they receive here, will be an advantage when they are put into work, an advantage when it comes time to race and win.”
Silverdale is set to reap the benefits of the quality infrastructure that has been added to the property over the past few years, from stabling, to walkers, to landscaping, it’s all designed to give their horses the best possible start in life. The four colts and two fillies in the farm’s Classic draft will enter the ring in the following order, with Rob Petith’s comments on each.
Lot 57 b f Smart Missile – Marcellina by Savabeel.
By the ultra consistent winner producer Smart Missile, this filly is the first foal of a stakes placed mare by champion sire Savabeel from a wonderful family of major stakes winners including Gr1 winner Ryan Mark, Oceanex, Amexed etc.
“A very good first foal, a sharp type who looks fast and early. An ideal Classic sale prospect,
she should stand right out.”
Lot 129 b or br f Deep Field – Paeroa Gold by Magnus.
By the sire of the moment with Sky Field his second big Gr1 winner in Hong Kong on international day, from a mare by the promising young broodmare sire Magnus. The Deep Field/Danehill line mare cross has produced Gr1 winner Portland Sky, Quantum Mechanic, Cosmic Force, Dig Deep, Big Parade, Fituese and Isotope.
“This filly has come on beautifully, she’s scopey with a great hindquarter, the stallion is firing, his fillies are brilliant, she should be well liked.”
Lot 291 b or br c Brazen Beau – Tarabai by Sepoy.
By a proven young son of I Am Invincible out of a very talented mare by Golden Slipper winner Sepoy.
“This is a very nice first foal of a multiple winning mare who was good enough to run a close second to Gr1 winner Madam Rouge. The dam’s half brother Cornrow is a multiple 2YO Gr1 placed winner of five races and $486k, he was second in both the Blue Diamond and ATC Sires, so there’s a lot of 2YO speed in this family. This colt is a smart, sharp type.”
Lot 396 b c Capitalist – Baby Corn by Exceed And Excel.
By Golden Slipper winner and outstanding young sire Capitalist from a stakes winning, stakes producing mare by champion sire and leading young broodmare sire Exceed And Excel.
“This colt is a great type, by a Slipper winner, he is a half-brother to six winners including multiple Gr1 placed 2YO Cornrow, he is a real standout. He has crosses of Danehill and Danzig similar to Profiteer. This is a high quality colt by an outstanding stallion.”
Lot 529 b c Lean Mean Machine – Eloquent Ruby.
By Turffontein Lean Mean Machine is by crack sire Zoustar from a family on fire, Gr1 winner Hitotsu and Gr1 4th Ballistic Lover are the recent stars to emerge from this family.This colt’s dam is a full sister to multiple group winner Fontein Ruby ( 6 wins, $1m plus), from the family of Gr1 placed Infinite Grace and dual Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh.
“This is a magnificent colt, a great shape and a beautiful mover to go with it. The mare has had two to race, both winners, one a stakes 4th and then every generation has a millionaire or a Gr1 winner including the champion Fields Of Omagh. Those great performers were not all by leading commercial sires either, so this colt could be anything.”
Lot 603 b or br c Grunt – Hateel by Star Witness.
This is the second foal of a sister to stakes winner Pearl Star from the family of Gr1winning 2YO Spectatorial. By one of Australia’s most exciting first season sires, a multiple Gr1 winner by Champion sire O’Reilly from the same proven sireline as current Australian Champion sire Written Tycoon.
“ A good bodied colt who will mature into a fine individual. He’s from what is essentially this country’s best sireline, after Danehill, from a mare by the very successful sire Star Witness. Don’t let him under
your guard.”
Rob and his team look forward to catching up with clients and parading the Silverdale youngsters
in Barn B, Stables 9-14.
