A half-brother to Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback, the
star colt made $1.4 million to set a new record for the Inglis Premier Sale and
is the first million dollar yearling ever sold at Oaklands.Maher has had luck previously buying from Rick Jamieson's Gilgai Farm at this sale, securing his Caulfield Cup and VRC Oaks winner Jameka for $130,000 in 2014.
"I thought he was a cracking colt obviously," Maher said.
"Rick is a great breeder and this colt is another example of that.
"I just thought he is a real running type, the I Am Invincible's are flying and he's a good, tough, clean colt."
Maher said existing stable clients will be involved but there will a small percentage to fill.
"That was my last bid and there is still a little bit left in him," Maher said.
"He has got a pedigree to be a stallion and hopefully that is what he will be after he's finished winning some nice races."
Bred by Black Caviar's breeder Rick Jamieson, the star colt is the seventh foal of Soorena, who is the dam of five winners headed by $1.5 million earner The Quarterback, Group II winner and Group I ATC Australian Derby runner-up Phillipi and stakes-placed The Rude Warrior.
A daughter of champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago, Soorena produced another
colt by Yarraman Park's flagship sire I Am Invincible last spring.I Am Invincible stood his first four seasons at a fee of $11,000 and his current yearlings are the first conceived from the higher fee of $27,500 and as such are from better quality mares than in previous years.
Better pedigrees have paved the way for even better sales results this year and a million dollar yearling is the icing on the cake.
With 18 entries for the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, this colt probably won't be the only million dollar yearling we see from I Am Invincible this year.
