The 31 Lloyd Williams-owned racehorses to be offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast complex on January 18 (Tuesday) will be sold without reserve.
“None will be coming home,” his son, Mr Nick Williams, said. “The value of each lot will be determined by the bidders and that will be the sale price for each of them.”
Mr Williams said the draft of outstanding pedigree thoroughbreds was an ideal opportunity for anyone to gain an instant entry into the world of racehorse ownership.
Most of the racehorses were bought for between $200,000 and $400,000 as yearlings, while one was the most expensive yearling his father had ever bought – Ingleby, now a four-year-old, cost $850,000. Ingleby is by Redoute’s Choice, the three-time Australian champion sire, from Hill Of Grace (Zabeel-Carmel Valley) who won the Group 1 Moonee Valley Oaks and was five times placed in other Group 1 races.
Mr Williams said his father regularly culled horses he doubted could win at Group 1 level and constantly sold them to make way for new purchases. One of his “discards” was Subscribe, who after a name change to Vengeance Of Rain became the champion racehorse of Hong Kong with stake-earnings of $HK75 million.
Hume, who was sold for $22,000 won eight races and almost $300,000 for his new owners; Simplest went on to win eight races and $260,000 while others to race for multiple successes in new ownership included Coalesce, Deacon, Enthusiast and Recast (who became a star in Singapore).
Mr Nick Williams said the dispersal sale was an opportunity for buyers to grab a bargain. “Any syndicate of owners could buy a horse ready to race without the high costs associated with the breaking in, training and other expenses with a yearling purchase,” he said.
“There are horses in the draft such as five-year-old Tindal who won at Moonee Valley and Flemington as a two-year-old, a Stakes race at Flemington at three and a Moonee Valley win at four who would be capable of more wins in any major city of Australia, and there are horses who are ready to win maiden races.
“There is something for everyone who wants to have a racehorse competing within weeks,” he said.
Magic Millions bloodstock manager Paul Knight said the Williams stable had a first class reputation of being sellers of high quality racehorses with great futures. He said all had magnificent pedigrees and had been cared for with VIP treatment.
The Lloyd Williams Hudson Conway Racing dispersal draft will be sold at the Magic Millions racehorse to start at 1pm (Queensland time) on Tuesday.
All horses in the racehorse sale will be available for inspection at the MM complex on Monday and on Tuesday, before the start of the sale.
Here, in order of sale lots, are the horses being offered in the Williams draft. Comments on each have been provided by Deane Lester, one of Australia’s leading form analysts whose opinion on horses and form is regularly sought by prominent owners, trainers and jockeys:
SEEK (Three-year-old gelding. Galileo-Zabest). Lot 1202
Deane Lester: An unraced three year old son of Galileo out of a Zabeel mare, it is no surprise that SEEK has been given plenty of time to develop. SEEK comes from one of New Zealand’s most prominent staying families which boasts performers such as ZABEAT, ST REIMS and the Melbourne Cup placed CHAMPAGNE. *(Since: 7th in 1314m Mdn at Pakenham on Jan 8. Stewards reported: Slow to begin).
STANHILL (Four-year-old. Zabeel-Miss Power Bird). Lot 1204
Deane Lester: The lightly raced STANHILL is a close relation to the champion MIGHT AND POWER. He has earned prize-money at all three starts in maiden grade and has only had one run back from a spell, so STANHILL looks a good chance for a quick return. He has good performances at distances up to 1900 metres and has a pedigree to go much further.
THAMES (Five-year-old gelding. Zabeel-Carnegie Hikari). Lot 1207
Dean Lester: THAMES, a three-quarter brother to the Queensland Oaks winner VOUVRAY, looks an ideal staying prospect. After a luckless run on debut, THAMES finished strongly to run third over 1850 metres at Kyneton at his only other start. Typical of Team Williams, he has been given plenty of time to develop and has his best racing ahead of him.
TINDAL (Five-year-old gelding. Testa Rossa-Indian Spice). Lot 1208
Deane Lester: TINDAL is a good and durable performer who never fails to win races each season. He was a Moonee Valley and Flemington winner as a two-year-old, a stakes winner at Flemington at three and a Moonee Valley winner at four. For a five year old, TINDAL has been superbly cared for, having had just 15 starts and has many seasons of competitive racing still ahead of him. He is a rating 92 horse that looks ideally placed to do his future racing in the Metropolitan area of any state in Australia.
VESTING (Three-year-old gelding. Savabeel-Foxy Joan). Lot 1214
Deane Lester: Although VESTING has been unplaced in both runs to date, this three year old son of Savabeel is ready to show winning form. He finished 5.3 lengths from the winner in 7th place at Sandown on January 3 in what looks a very strong form race with several Melbourne city winners destined to emerge from this race. He is a ready-made winner in the very near future.
VISCOSE (Five-year-old gelding, Pentire-Copa De Oro). Lot 1216
Deane Lester: VISCOSE is a son of Pentire whose debut performance to finish second behind his stablemate OBLAQUE was full of merit. Niggling problems have sidelined him since that performance in June 2008, however he has enjoyed the best of care in that time and will present in fine condition.
WESTLEY (Four-year-old gelding. Reset-Ashfords Girl). Lot 1221
Deane Lester: WESTLEY is a son of Reset who made his debut at Bendigo on December 29 and, whilst he found the 1000 metres too short for him, his effort to finish 7th was sound. The stewards reported that he struck trouble at the start and raced greenly in the straight, so there is no doubt that WESTLEY is open to vast improvement. He’s in prime racing condition which means that he is ready to go with and race in the near future. * (Since: Finished 6th in Kyneton 1200m. Mdn on Jan.9. Led to 400m.)
ALBION (Three-year-old gelding. Pins-Rites Of Spring). Lot 1223
Deane Lester: ALBION is a son of Pins from a prominent NZ broodmare family and has only had one start for a creditable 7th at Sale on December 8. He was beaten for speed on that occasion and lost several lengths by racing greenly on the home turn; however his finishing effort was solid and should just keep improving with race experience.
BARON (Four-year-old gelding, Galileo-Pride Of The Class). Lot 1226
Deane Lester says: BARON is an upcoming city winner in any state of Australia. The four year old has had just nine starts for three wins and two placings, with his winning distances ranging from 1400 metres to 1850 metres. He ran 3rd over 1600 metres at Sandown on January 3, has the ability to handle all track conditions, races well fresh then trains on into his preparation and looks one of the most attractive lots in the Williams draft.
BRAMPTON (Four-year-old gelding. Pins-Playful Fingers). Lot 1228
Deane Lester: Four year old BRAMPTON could be one of the value lots of this draft. This son of Pins is blessed with plenty of talent and, although tried at distances up to 1500 metres, sprinting could be his forte. His dam line is littered with fine sprinters and he has shown the pace and ability to suggest that he has a very bright future as a short course horse.
COASTAL (Four-year-old gelding. Galileo-Dancing Shower). Lot 1231
Deane Lester: Typical of the Galileo breed, COASTAL has been given plenty of time to develop and mature. The four year old was given one trial in July 2009, finishing well back behind the stakes performers GURU BOB and LINTON. COASTAL has been entered for races in the past couple of weeks, so he has a strong base of fitness, therefore the hard work and patience required for these staying type horses has already been done. * (Since: 4th of 12 in Pakenham 1770m Mdn, beaten 2.9 len, on Jan.8).
CONSERVE (Four-year-old gelding, Galileo-Luvscay). Lot 1233
Deane Lester: CONSERVE is another son of Galileo and has been given plenty of time. He was scratched from a 1600 metres race at Bendigo on December 29, so he is obviously in prime condition to be purchased and commence his racing career in the coming weeks. *(Since: Eye-catching 2nd in Pakenham 1440m Mdn, beaten 2.5 len, after being 9th at home turn, on Jan.8).
DERIVATIVE (Three-year-old gelding, Viking Ruler-Hi Queen). Lot 1236
Deane Lester: Unraced three year old DERIVATIVE is a three-quarter brother to Tasmanian Derby winner CURRIGEE. The Viking Ruler stock appears to get better with time, so it’s no surprise that this gelding hasn’t been to the races at this stage. *(Since: Finished 7th in Kyneton Mdn 1100m on Jan.9).
DOWNES (Four-year-old gelding. Zabeel-Macanudo). Lot 1239
Deane Lester: DOWNES is a promising racehorse, having won two of his past four starts. He is a winner at 1600 metres and placed up to 2025 metres. His form would suggest that he is best suited on softer tracks as all of his best performances have been on dead (5) tracks or worse. He looks a good off-season horse in areas where he would strike soft tracks.
FALDO (Five-year-old gelding. Pins-Soap Opera). Lot 1241
Deane Lester: FALDO is an unraced son of Pins out of the Group2 winning mare Soap Opera. He is a five year old that misfortune has prevented him making it to the races.
FORECAST (Falbrav-Rainbow Roll). Lot 1243
Deane Lester: FORECAST is a compact son of Falbrav who had two race starts last year with his most recent effort resulting in a promising 4th over 1600 metres at Echuca in March, 2010. He looked very immature in that preparation, so has been given the necessary time to strengthen and develop, and he now looks an ideal prospect to go on with.
GLOBAL (Four-year-old gelding. Reset-Calamera). Lot 1247
Deane Lester: An unraced son of Reset, GLOBAL is a descendant of one of the great European families. His second dam Damana is the dam of Europe’s Horse Of The Year in 2003, DALAKHANI and also seven times Group One winner DAYLAMI. In his immediate family, GLOBAL is a half-brother to the stakes performed EXTEND.
HAMPDEN (Three-year-old gelding. Savabeel-Operavega). Lot 1249
Deane Lester: Savabeel gelding HAMPDEN looks a good value prospect. He has only had one start at Geelong over 1230 metres on December 2 where he was well in the betting as a $5.00 chance in a very strong maiden. The three year old travelled sweetly in the run, but didn’t extend on the wet track and, after finding interference at the 200 metres mark, was eased down over the final stages. HAMPDEN looks to have genuine ability, far better than his one racecourse performance would suggest.
HUNTLEY (Four-year-old gelding. Viking Ruler-Royal Magic). Lot 1252
Deane Lester: Unraced four-year-old HUNTLY is a son of VIKING RULER from the Queensland Oaks winning mare ROYAL MAGIC, making him a half brother to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes placegetter COMPLETION, and from the direct family of the stakes performers PERFECT BOUND and VITRINITE.
INDITE (Five-year-old gelding. Zabeel-Zola). Lot 1253
Deane Lester: Five-year-old INDITE has only won one race from 15 starts, but has produced many strong staying performances during his career and looks a very handy stayer that is still eligible to run in class 1 company. He is a son of Zabeel who should prove to be a regular winner in slightly weaker company.
INGLEBY (Four-year-old gelding. Redoubte’s Choice-Hill Of Grace). Lot 1254
Deane Lester: By Redoute’s Choice out of the top staying mare HILL OF GRACE, expectations have been high for INGLEBY as indicated by the fact that he made his debut in listed company. In fact, three of his five runs have been in the Melbourne metropolitan area. His two runs in maiden class have been solid and he looks the ideal type to take through his grades in slightly weaker class.
INTERLOCKING (Seven-year-old gelding. Zabeel-Give It A Whirl). Lot 1255
Deane Lester: There is no denying that INTERLOCKING has entered the veteran category, however he still retains a great zest for his racing. A winner three of his 17 starts, INTERLOCKING ran a brave third over 2500 metres at Flemington on December 18, leading for the majority of that race. His best form is at 2000 metres and beyond, and he still has plenty to offer.
IREL (Four-year-old gelding. Istidaad-God’s Angel). Lot 1256
Deane Lester: IREL is a rapidly developing stayer who could be a feature race winner within the next year. The four year old has won four of his 13 starts and ran a solid third in the listed Bagot Handicap over 2800 metres at Flemington on New Year’s Day. He is a versatile horse that can race near the lead or come from back in the field, handles all track conditions and still looks to be improving. He is one of the star lots of this year’s draft.
LEADING (Three-year-old gelding. Savabeel-Vanessatheundressa). Lot 1258
Deane Lester: By the 2004 Cox Plate winner SAVABEEL from the family of the legendary VO ROGUE, LEADING has already displayed his talent by recording a barnstorming win over 1200 metres at Echuca on December 31. He raced very greenly on that occasion, so he is still a very raw product that is open to further improvement and looks a smart horse in the making.
MALING (Four-year-old gelding. Redoubte’s Choice-Warm Smytzer). Lot 1259
Deane Lester: MALING is a very handy horse in the making. He is unbeaten in two runs on good tracks; has already shown that he is in good form with a strong win over 1600 metres at Echuca on December 31 and looks to have the capacity to race over much further ground. For those in the market for a readymade horse with plenty of scope for further development, MALING looks the ideal horse.
MEWS (Four-year-old gelding. Pins-Gin Player). Lot 1260
Deane Lester: MEWS is a lightly raced son of Pins that has won one of his five starts to date and has shown genuine talent on occasions. The four-year-old has done all of his racing on Victoria’s premium provincial tracks. He has a handicappers rating of 59, so he should make plenty of appeal to those looking to run a horse through his grades on the country circuit.
MODULE (Five-year-old gelding. Reset-Miss Helterskelter). Lot 1262
Deane Lester: MODULE is a son of the great RESET and looks one of the highlight lots of this year’s draft. The five year old has had eight starts for three wins and three placings, including a city win at Sandown in May 2009 which was followed by a brave second to the highly regarded MOUDRE at Flemington. He has only had one run back from a spell finishing a solid third behind the exciting BELGIETTO at Flemington on December 18. He has a handicappers rating of 78, yet has shown the ability of a horse with a much higher figure, which makes him an attractive option for those looking for a good quality horse.
MORLEY (Four-year-old gelding. Al Maher-Hampton Rover). Lot 1264
Deane Lester: Four year old MORLEY commenced racing in September 2009 and has won two races in his first campaign. His seven runs in that campaign yielded the two wins and a placing. He is a bold front running horse that makes his own luck in his races and has been effective at distances up to 1400 metres. With the benefit of a spell, MORLEY is likely to improve further and should manage a strong 1600 metres with time and maturity.
NAPIER (Five-year-old gelding. Zabeel-Silk Slipper). Lot 1265
Deane Lester: NAPIER has won two races over 1750 metres and 2200 metres, so staying is his forte. A son of Zabeel out of one of Australia’s greatest ever families, NAPIER is a five year old that has just seven starts to date, so he has been patiently nurtured and should be an honest competitor in the right company for several seasons.
OBLAQUE (Five-year-old gelding. Delago Brom-Clouding Over). Lot 1266
Deane Lester: OBLAQUE started his career in flying style with a big win on debut over 1400 metres at Bendigo in June, 2008. The five year old has never managed to recapture that performance in subsequent outings, although he has been placed over 1400 metres at 0-72 level, so his current rating of 62 means that he only has to recapture something like his best form and he is a very well graded horse.
PROVIDER (Three-year-old gelding. Reset-Eternal Youth). Lot 1270
Deane Lester: A three year old by Reset, PROVIDER has only had one race start finishing 5th over 1000 metres at Sale on December 8. On that occasion, he was ridden quietly from the barriers settling at the back of the field before making steady ground over the final 300 metres. It was a run that indicated that PROVIDER has definite ability and should be seen to advantage in races at 1400 metres and beyond.
