Toronado’s yearlings have impressed the buyers and rewarded the breeders

Toronado’s first Australian crop of yearlings have made a tremendous impression amongst the buying bench at the recent Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

With ten lots in the first book presented for sale, the Toronado youngsters were in high demand, showing substance, quality and correctness.

Lot 274, the bay colt out of Baize demanded $175,000 from the Western Australian team of Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock and trainer Lindsay Smith.

Consigned to Flinders based, Musk Creek Farm, David Kobritz was thrilled to present the outstanding colt in his draft

“The word around the sales was that he was the best Toronado at the complex. He was extremely popular with numerous repeat inspections and x-ray hits, so we were confident that he was going to sell well. He handled the busy environment and the pressure brilliantly; a complete gentleman,” David Kobritz said.

“We were lucky enough to have found him at the Sydney Inglis weanling sale, and we were attracted to his wonderful loose walk. He had so much scope about him. He blossomed during his yearling preparation, and has turned into a beautiful, well-developed colt.”

Kobritz is pleased with the results the young Swettenham Stud sire has commanded.

“We have supported Toronado each year and have three lovely yearlings headed to Melbourne Premier. Lot 414, the colt from Happy Empress is a half-brother to Group 1 Epsom winner Rock Kingdom is a similar type; a terrific, relaxed, scopey colt.”

“Toronado was a great racehorse, a dual Group 1 winner and I was lucky enough to see him win at Royal Ascot over a mile. He has let down into a very impressive stallion and based on the success High Chaparral has had in Australia, we have full confidence that Toronado will succeed as well.”

Danny Williams and Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock paid $150,000 to secure Lot 141, the colt from the Honours List mare, Storm Kite. While Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock picked up Lot 562, the lovely filly from the daughter of VRC Oaks winner Tributes, Ad Valorem mare, Oberne Rose for $140,000.

Good judges Darren Weir and John Foote Bloodstock handpicked the Northern Aspect colt for $105,000 and the Dalaniwave colt for $70,000.

Other Toronado yearling buyers included Warwick Farm trainer, Paul Cave, Joe Pride Racing, Paul Willetts, Shelley Hancox, Blake Ryan Racing and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock taking a fancy to the Tigresque filly.

With an average of $88,150 after the first three days of selling, impressively four times Toronado’s service fee of $22,000, the top lot made nearly eight times what he was standing for in 2017 at Adam Sangster’s Swettenham Stud.

“Toronado is a magnificent horse physically, and he is stamping his yearlings with his outstanding type. The high quality and consistent type he produces continues to impress breeders and bloodstock agents alike,” Sangster said.

“These sales results provide breeders with great confidence that Toronado will produce his own talented and precocious Group winners and black-type success stories.”

And there are many more on the way, as Swettenham Stud is delighted that 43 outstanding Toronado yearlings will be presented to the buying bench at the upcoming 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale on March 4-7th.

For on-farm inspections, bloodstock inquires or pedigree advice please contact Adam Sangster or Sam Matthews at Swettenham Stud on 03 5794 2044.

Swettenham Stud welcomes Sam Matthews to the team

Swettenham Stud is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Sam Matthews to the role of Business Development and Stallion Nominations.

Originally hailing from Western Australia, Sam was born and bred into thoroughbreds, spending most of his formative years between the sales ring, the track and the family farm where they bred and raced many winners.

“We had a country cup horse called Mokine, which gave my family the record, just shy of 30, for the most tracks an owner has had a winner on,” Sam said.

From a young age Sam was a regular attendee at the Goodwood & Magic Millions sales, and by 16, he joined the team as a bid-spotter for many years in both Perth and the Gold Coast.

“Knowing the success of Magic Millions, it was a great opportunity and a wonderful introduction to the world of sales and yearlings. It was the beginning of my career in the thoroughbred industry.”

“One day when my grandfather attended the sales, he threw in a bid to keep me on my toes. However being the only bid at $45,000, the hammer fell. Luck was on our side, as the horse turned out to be our Stakes winner Liquidation; one of my family’s most successful gallopers.”

Sam has been an avid supporter of the Victorian breeding industry since leaving Perth in 2010 and prides himself on his relationships with the many great thoroughbred farms across Australia.

The principal of Swettenham Stud, Adam Sangster is enthusiastic about the appointment and optimistic about the direction the farm is headed.

"I am particularly excited about investing in Sam, and the opportunities that get constantly presented to ourselves in this dynamic and rewarding industry. He is the ideal fit for the Swettenham model going forward,” Sangster said.

A loyal devotee of racing, Sam doesn’t miss a Saturday meeting and is often seen attending the early morning trials & jump outs, while through his own broodmares he has developed and enhanced his love of breeding.

“It’s such an amazing time to join Swettenham Stud with their six up and coming stallions, generating positivity and excitement amongst breeders and the buying bench.”

“I can’t wait to see the first foals from Mshawish and Rebel Dane, and I have been blown away by the Trust In A Gust foals. They stand out, strong, precocious and the spitting image of his sire. A level above,” Sam said.

“Toronado is a magnificent horse physically, and he is stamping his foals with his outstanding type. Breeders are wowed when they see him, and he's been given every opportunity as a stallion, with some very well related yearlings about to hit the ring.”

“The Americain yearlings will again appeal to the staying trainers that will bring out their best and attract the breeders that desire the Derby or the BMW horse, while on the track, his convincing winners as early three-year-olds have proven his ability to get an early winner.”

Sam is looking forward to taking the farm to new heights, and while he knows the importance of advising and supporting the farm’s already loyal clients, he will be a vital part of encouraging and generating new breeders.

“It is an incredible opportunity to join Swettenham Stud, with the wonderful Sangster family history. Adam is such a passionate advocate for the Victorian thoroughbred industry. He is 100% committed through his time, knowledge and investment, and teamed with his support, I am looking forward to growing the Swettenham brand and taking the stud to the next level.”