Riversdale to present quality Classic offering
Scone-based operation Riversdale Farm will offer a draft of 27 yearlings at the Inglis Classic Sale, with owner Nick Hodges encouraged by strong early engagement during inspections at Riverside.
“It’s been really busy, it’s fantastic,” Hodges told ANZ News. “The foot traffic has been really positive and the horses are parading well, so really pleased with initial inspections and hopefully that continues into the second looks and x-rays and everything that we need to get these horses sold.”
The Riversdale draft features progeny by a mix of proven and emerging sires, including Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), Harry Angel (Dark Angel), Justify (Scat Daddy) and Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo), alongside younger stallions Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Jacquinot (Rubick) and Artorius (Flying Artie).
Hodges believes the farm’s offering caters to all levels of the market.
“It feels like the sale has got buyers at every level, which is really important. You’ve got people at every level coming and having a look at the horses, which is great. It gives you a real safety net with what you’re trying to sell. We’ve got a great range of nice physicals, there is a bit of variation in pedigrees and stallions, but, as a whole, I think we’ve got a very even, very nice bunch of horses. I’m really happy with the draft as a whole. We’ve been busy across the board, so the proof will be in how we sell.”
Riversdale will open their selling on day one with Lot 9, a colt by North Pacific (Brazen Beau) out of the winning Dundeel (High Chaparral) mare Filters, from the family of Adelaide Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Demerger (Saithor).
“As a physical, the North Pacific colt is a very nice individual. He’s the sort of horse that could sell at any level, but as an individual he’s a real standout.”
Midway through day two, the farm will offer Lot 406, a colt by Flying Artie out of Set The Tone (Reset), a brother to Hong Kong star and $4.4 million earner My Wish.
“He’s been very popular,” Hodges said. “He’s a lovely style of horse. He’s got plenty of size and scope about him, nice and correct. Good boned. He’s really good.”
Soon after, Lot 413, a colt by Ole Kirk out of Sheer Lightning (Sebring), will also go under the hammer. The mare is a placed half-sister to stakes performers Elusive River (Elusive Quality) and Rivatorio (Oratorio), with the family also including New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro) and Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Captivant (Capitalist).
“He has probably been our busiest horse. Obviously Ole Kirk is a great sire. He’s been doing a fantastic job. His [Lot 413] half–brother, Captain Thunderbolt won a trial by three and half lengths here at Warwick Farm the other day, which was really positive. He’s been going really well.”