Maher's Master

Master Of Design’s first yearling at public auction was popular at the Gold Coast Magic Millions when making $180,000 on Friday.

That price-tag gave Morning Rise Stud breeder Robert McClure a good earn on Master Of Design’s $12,500 service fee at Swettenham Stud in 2012. The colt will stay in Victoria after being purchased by Ciaran Maher who trains out of stables at Caulfield and Warrnambool.

“He’s a lovely-bodied horse,” Maher said. “I saw him in the Hunter Valley – he’s a nice walker and is beautifully balanced.”

The colt is from winning Zabeel mare Parnissius who is a half-sister to the dam of Perth stakes winner Single Spice. Second-dam Zafair (Zafonic) is a sister to Group 1 racehorse and sire Trade Fair.

Master Of Design (Redoute’s Choice) retired to Swettenham after a Group 1 victory in the T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick.

Ciaran Maher (left) and his Master Of Design colt with strapper Stephen O’Neill Photo / Sharon Chapman