Penfold Thoroughbreds aiming for more Premier success
While she may have set an incredibly high benchmark with her inaugural draft at the 2025 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Hannah Penfold is determined to match, if not succeed, that success at Oaklands Junction this year.
Penfold Thoroughbreds hit the sales jackpot 12 months ago when Lot 428, a colt by one of Europe’s most exciting stallions in Mehmas (Acclamation), was knocked down for $420,000 to Flemington-based trainer Dom Sutton and his trusted bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever.
It was far from beginner’s luck or an overnight success story – Penfold has fully immersed herself in Australia’s breeding industry since arriving from her native England 12 years ago – but the scale of that sale still took her by considerable surprise, especially since the colt’s reserve price had been set at $50,000 (the initial bid was lodged at twice that figure).
Second album syndrome has afflicted many bands that burst onto the scene but subsequently fail to build on their heady success, and Penfold is aware that last year’s breakout hit has inevitably increased the weight of expectation on her shoulders 12 months on.
But with 11 lots by established stars such as Toronado (High Chaparral) alongside offerings by exciting freshman sire Artorius (Flying Artie) and Darley’s emerging powerhouse Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), Penfold is confident that her boutique operation can build on those firm foundations and justify the heavy workload she and her small team have collectively endured in the build-up.
“We may have set the bar a little too high last year,” she told ANZ News on a busy day of inspections at Oaklands Junction, where the action will get underway from 10am on Sunday morning.
“But we’ve been really busy so far, so that’s always a good sign. It’s very full-on because we’ve only got a small team, but I’m certainly not complaining. We’ve got a lovely draft but you can never predict what’s going to happen at the sales, and last year taught me to expect the unexpected. Our main goal as always is just to do everything we possibly can to get the best possible results for our clients.
“I never thought we’d get anywhere close to that price for the Mehmas colt here last year, but then we probably thought we would get a bit more for another colt by Palace Pier [bought by Ciaron Maher for $70,000]. The beauty of sales is that everyone has a different opinion, which is why they work so well because there’s something for everyone.
“Of course, it would be lovely to have another big result this year but we probably can’t expect it. You always get nervous, but I wouldn’t say there’s pressure to repeat that again this year. It probably helps that we’ve got a completely different set of clients than last year, so it’s almost like we’re starting afresh.”
Like most breeders whose affection for the babies under their constant care precludes them from showing any favouritism, Penfold is hesitant to nominate a standout lot but when pushed she concedes that their Ghaiyyath filly (Lot 116) has been particularly well inspected so far.
Given that her half-brother Rabtat (Adelaide) registered four city wins in succession for Michael Hickmott last year, and her old man sired arguably Australia’s next superstar in Observer, there is likely to be plenty of interest in a filly who made a striking first impression on Penfold.
“She was sent over to us by [South Australian hobby breeders] Greg and Wendy Barber, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when she first got off the truck,” said Penfold.
“I accepted her into our draft unseen, and I’m very glad I did because she is just an absolute standout. The moment she turned up, my jaw just hit the floor because she’s just an absolute cracker, so we’re very lucky to have her.”
Another prized lot amongst the draft is their colt (Lot 560) by Wooded (Wootton Bassett), one of Penfold’s favourite sires. Penfold runs the yearling preparation business herself but still spends the breeding season at Swettenham Stud, where Wooded stands for $16.500 (inc. GST).
While Toronado remains the farm’s flagbearer, Penfold readily concedes she has a sentimental attachment to Wooded who sired his first elite-level winner when his colt Woodshauna claimed last year’s Prix Jean Prat (Gr 1, 1400m) at Deauville.
“He’s just a lovely, forward colt,” said Penfold, who despite not coming from an equine background got her first experience of a stud farm in England at the age of 12.
“He’s got a great attitude and work ethic, and he’s handling everything really well so far. He’s from a great family and I’m probably a little bit biased because I just love Wooded’s progeny. We sold a Wooded colt for $160,000 last year, so it would be lovely if we could get a similar result this time.”
That colt, who was acquired by New Zealand-based Kendall Bloodstock, is yet to trial but the Mehmas colt (now named Rakan) was sighted in a jump–out just before Christmas, finishing third in the 800-metre hit-out on his home track.
Sutton sent him for a spell with a view to getting him ready for the early part of spring, with the initial reports suggesting that he may live up to his lofty price tag.
“I spoke to Dom earlier in the week, and he told me they’re really happy with the colt,” said Penfold.
“He’s a big, strong boy which we already knew, so I’m really excited to see what he can do when he gets to the races.
“It was also great to see another yearling we sold last year, Isle Of Mona [Royal Meeting], get to the Blue Diamond Prelude in her first prep. She was a really cheap buy [$12,000] for Nick Ryan, so he’s done a great job with her. She was a lovely filly, and I knew she was quick because she ran away from me a fair few times in the paddock.
“But out of all our yearlings, she would probably have been one of the last ones I would have expected to be up and going as a two-year-old. So again, it just goes to show that you really can’t predict how things are going to play out.”
Indeed, the only sure bet is that, having set the alarm for 4.30am over the past few months, Penfold is desperately in need of some rest and relaxation.
Once the dust has settled on the three-day sale, she has vowed to treat herself to a well-earned holiday cruising around New Zealand in a campervan.
“I think I’m on day 75 without taking a day off, so I definitely need a break,” she said.
“My brain isn’t working that well, so I need a mental refresh and the plan is to get away for a couple of weeks. It’s hard work and a lot to think about when you go out on your own, but I spent a long time busting my backside working for other people, so I thought I may as well do that for myself.
“The long-term goal is to get my own property one day, but I’m not made of money and everything is coming out of my own pocket. We’re going along quite well at the minute, but some nice results at the sales would certainly help.”