3 minute read

Result hands Woodside Park their biggest result in the sales ring.

Hawkes Racing have enjoyed some memorable days with the progeny of Written Tycoon (Iglesia), so it was no surprise to see them go to $750,000 for a colt by the now Arrowfield Stud-based stallion. 

The colt was offered by Woodside Park Stud - where the stallion stood before being relocated to Arrowfield for the 2020 season - and the price-tag was a record for the Victorian Farm and James Price told Racing & Sports he was delighted with the result. 

"He had a reserve of below $500,000 and to make $750,000, we're absolutely delighted," Price said.

"That's a record for Woodside Park Stud, so the whole team is very excited, both us here and those back on the farm. It's a team effort from the day they're born and to everyone back on the farm, it's a big thumbs up to everyone.

"He was a beautiful colt and was always one of the standouts in the paddock from a young age and since being weaned he developed into a beautifully balanced, muscular, forward running horse. 

"John Hawkes inspected him on the farm in December and obviously wasn't able to be here at the sale, but he said he was the pick of our draft and it was nice to see him buy him. 

"The Hawkes' have had wonderful success with Written Tycoon, but also there is a horse called Sound on the pedigree who won the Zipping and while the Hawkes' don't train Sound the people that own him are clients of their stable."

Written Tycoon has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season through the exploits for his Group 1-winning progeny headed by the Team Hawkes-trained Ole Kirk, Pippie and Odeum and Price said it was great to see the buyers respond to the success. 

"No one can deny the start to the season Written Tycoon has had and he is chipping away at Not A Single Doubt's lead in the general sires table," said Price. "But irrespective of where he stands whether it be Victoria or New South Wales, he is not just a Victorian stallion, he is now becoming a stallion that is recognised across Australia. He is a success story for everyone."

Of the sale, Price said: "It's been a fantastic sale, especially with all the talk and trepidation of what COVID could do and many congratulations have to go to Magic Millions for putting the sale and getting so many buyers here. To achieve the results they have achieved is incredible and it is just a testament to the strength of the Australian industry."

Catalogued as Lot 739, the son of Written Tycoon is the second foal out of two time-winning Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) mare Salamati, who is herself a daughter of French Group 3 winner Sexy Lady (Danehill Dancer). 

The colt's third dam is Listed winner Sky Dancing (Exit To Nowhere) - the dam of German Group 1 winner Scalo (Lando) and Sound (Lando), who landed last year's Zipping Classic (Gr 1, 2400m). 

Salamanti was bought for €45,000 by Damon Gabbedy's Belmont Bloodstock at the 2016 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. 

Team Hawkes have enjoyed a brilliant time of late with the progeny of the stallion, including the aforementioned Ole Kirk, who landed this season's Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), while they also train Schillaci Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Dirty Work and talented filly Written Beauty. 

Wayne Hawkes, the only member of the Hawkes Team present at the sale due to COVID restrictions, said he hoped the success the stable has had with the stallion can continue. 

"This guy wasn't exactly like Ole Kirk, but he wasn't dissimilar, we've had a good run with the stallion with Dirty Work and a filly that won on Oaks day called Written Beauty," Hawkes told racing.com

"Written Tycoon is flying and I am very lucky with my family to have three quality horses in the Sydney stable. 

"This colt looks like a two-year-old who is going to furnish into a proper three-year-old. We all want him to do what Ole Kirk did win a stakes race at two and then go on at three. 

"They are going crazy on the I Am Invincible fillies and the Not A Single Doubts but there is no better stallion than Written Tycoon, but he has done an unbelievable job this spring he doesn't have to continue to do much more to be the superstar he is."