Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a field day at Karaka early Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two prestigious colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Leung paid $400,000 under his Magus Equine banner to purchase Lot 271, a Russian Revolution colt from the Ohukia Lodge draft, and subsequently purchased Lot 288 valued at $625,000. The latter colt was offered by BMD Bloodstock and descends from Toronado's Zabeel mare Attraction, who is a half-sister to Gr.1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m) winner Velocitea.
“I rated this colt as one of the best horses in the sale,” Leung said. “Toronado is doing very well in Hong Kong and it is great to win such a quality son of this stallion for Francis (Lui, trainer).”
Toronado stands at Swettenham Stud for a service fee of A$88,000. He has sired 22 winners from just 37 runners in Hong Kong, led by Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) winner Victor The Winner, winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m ), Helios Express, and Group Three winner and Gr.1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) placer, Senor Toba. Leung hopes his recent recruit could develop into a candidate for inclusion on this blacklist.
Lot 283, a colt by Toronado out of the Attractive Photo: Trish Dunell
“The type of horse he is, he dreams of a race like the Hong Kong Derby (2000m),” he said. “He will probably stay here in Up-to-date Zealand until the end of next winter and then we will take things from there.
“Francis and I have had good luck with horses like Golden Sixty at this sale in the past, so we’re hoping for more.”
Golden Sixty was a US$300,000 purchase from the 2017 Ready to Run Sale and won 26 of his 31 starts, including 10 Group 1 triumphs. He broke Hong Kong's prize money record with over HK$167 million (NZ$34 million). any times.
Leung added another purchase to his list not long after this high-priced double, paying another $180,000 for the Embellish gelding, cataloged as Lot 299.
Leung spoke highly of this week's 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale.
“It was a robust sale,” he said. “There are some very good quality horses here and you have to be prepared to pay a lot of money to get the horses you want.”
