Yarraman Park’s champion sire was making headlines again at Magic Millions on Friday siring the highest priced yearling of the session with Widden Stud’s filly from Madam Rouge selling for $1.7million to Jes Sikura/Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA)/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.

The sale was a great result for Widden, who bred and sold Madam Rouge as a yearling before buying her back at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She was in foal to I Am Invincible and it took $2.4million to return Madam Rouge to the valley of champions and the foal she was carrying has now justified the bold gamble by Widden Stud and partners attracting the attention of US breeder Jes Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm.

“We really didn’t have too much intention to get involved in anything when we came over here but I have to give complete credit to Will Johnson,” said Jes Sikura.

“He’s always at the top of his game, he finds the nicest horses in every sale and it wouldn’t have happened without him, especially without Gai and Adrian putting together such a good group.

“Being by I Am Invincible out of a Graded Stakes-winning mare by Zoustar, she really ticked all the boxes and we thought if there was some point to get involved she was the one to do it with.

“We’re beyond excited for the future to come.”

Will Johnson was delighted that a well laid plan came together.

“It’s great to have Jes in Australia and it’s great to have that international investment from downtown Kentucky,” he said,

“A massive thank you to John Sikura and his family. Exciting times ahead.

“Everything about her was special. She paraded herself beautifully all week, she’s got the size and strength of those good fillies.

“She’s in the mould of her mother, you think of a Sunlight or a Loving Gaby, she really fills the frame.

“John Sikura, Jes’s dad said, ‘if there’s something really special let me know’. I quickly texted Jes earlier in the week and said just look at (Lot) 900 and we’ll see what Gai thinks.

“Adrian and Gai have put together a great partnership with some of the stable clients to come in alongside Hill ‘N’ Dale and hopefully she can grace the turf of the Gold Coast over the next couple of seasons and hopefully go onto bigger things at G1 level.

“With that residual value she’s going to have beautiful progeny, so she’s the complete package.”

I Am Invincible is the leading sire by aggregate with 29 yearlings selling for $19,550,000 at an average $674,138 and has had six yearlings sell for $1million or more.

Images: Magic Millions