They say her win in the Group Two STC Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday could only be compared to legendary juvenile Luskin Star, a glowing recommendation for a Redoute’s Choice filly that fetched just $250,000 for Yarraman Park at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
In the context of champion sire Redoute’s Choice, whose progeny averaged $577,000 at the major Australian sales last year, Amelia’s Dream was not an expensive horse.
“She was a nice style of filly that was not remarkable in any way apart from those four white feet, which seemed to turn a few people off,” said Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park.
“You know the old wives tale about four white feet, it’s surprising how many people actually shy away from them. She was not overly big either, but then her mother Shalt Not is quite a small mare, so that was probably to be expected.
“Amelia’s Dream also had two full sisters that failed to set the world on fire so there were a few reasons why she wouldn’t make a hell of a lot of money and she’s ended up being a great buy for Gai Waterhouse.”
Shalt Not produced a filly by Fastnet Rock last spring and is now in foal to Testa Rossa.
“She’s been a great producer in having a foal every year since she went to stud and we’re really happy with the Fastnet Rock filly,” said Mitchell.
“It’s amazing how many of these smaller mares that could run a bit end up being very good broodmares like Snippets’ Lass.”
This year Yarraman Park will present a stunning draft of 22 yearlings for Magic Millions all to be offered in sessions one to four with several youngsters tipped as standouts including two by Encosta de Lago and one each by first season sires Fastnet Rock and Al Maher.
Currently leading the Australian general sires list by earnings, Encosta de Lago is an outstanding stallion any way you choose to look at him and this strapping chestnut colt from Battonage is an immediate eye catcher.
Offered as Lot 516, the powerful chestnut is a half-brother to juvenile stakes-winner Fullazz and comes from a real running family, his dam a half-sister to Golden Slipper place-getter Loving Cup.
Lot 237 is a lovely filly by Encosta de Lago, the second foal of former good racemare Sacred Hill (NZ), a five time metropolitan winner of over $150,000 in prizemoney.
A half-sister by Langfuhr (Can) to stakes-winner Pottinger, she is also a half-sister to the dam of Group One winner Sky Cuddle and Group Three winner Sky Love.
A compact racy type is Lot 639, a smart bay Fastnet Rock filly, the very first foal of juvenile stakes-winner Crystal Wit.
A daughter of leading US sire Distorted Humor (USA), Crystal Wit carries the blood of a number of champion Australian sires with her next three dams sired by Snippets, Century and Vain.
Another cracking first foal is Lot 834, a gorgeous bay filly by Al Maher from the juvenile stakes-winner Jade Diva, who traces back to the family of Eight Carat (GB).
Closely related to champion sire Redoute’s Choice, the Group One VRC Australian Guineas winner Al Maher is sure to be one of the most popular of the new brigade of freshman sires for 2008.
