Charmed Days Ahead

You know when Mark Kavanagh gets excited about a horse that it’s worth taking note. The Champion trainer, who has compiled an impressive resume of some of the best and well-known gallopers in history, knows a good horse when he sees it.

Having attended all the recent major Australasian yearling sales, Kavanagh Racing has assembled a brilliant group of future gallopers that will position the stable favourably in the future. With two of those promising yearlings arriving on Australian soil yesterday, having been clever value buys from the 2018 January Karaka sales, Mark couldn’t wait to lay eyes on the outstanding duo.

“You couldn’t buy nicer colts, and I am tickled pink these two are coming into the stable. They will grow in lovely horses in time, and over the last few months, they have continued to develop beautifully. They really impressed me today.”

Both sired by Champion Irish galloper Charm Spirit, they were presented for sale by the well-respected New Zealand nursery, Windsor Park Stud. Although not a household name just yet in Australia, Charm Spirit brings a brilliant record, being the highest earning stallion of sire sensation Invincible Spirit, and hailing from the family of Champion Australian sires, Encosta De Lago and Flying Spur.

“Charm Spirit is something else, and the Invincible Spirit line has worked so well in Australia. This stallion was an exceptional galloper. He was a winner at two and won three Group 1’s in his last three starts. Both of these colts will be quality classic horses; there is no doubt about that,” Mark enthused.

The first colt available, sold as Lot 72, is the rich bay colt out of the Black Minnaloushe mare, Black Beauty, Mark purchased for $80,000.

“Black Beauty has already produced a listed winner in Beauty’s Beast by Guillotine, and being by Montjeu, the mare has still thrown her speed. I believe Charm Spirit was a finer racehorse, and the resulting progeny will demonstrate a real turn of foot.”

“He was a well-balanced, beautiful colt with a powerful high rump, and combined with the speedy female line, it is a lovely cross.”

To be trained by Mark, this colt will be raced by Jewel Racing and is available in 5% shares. Jewel Racing will be the syndication arm of Kavanagh Racing, and the stable look forward to launching their new and exciting product on Sunday, 6 May.

“Everyone is welcome to attend the launch, contact the office for more information or to rsvp”, added Mark.

The second colt purchased was Lot 431, from the young Fastnet Rock mare, New Age Rocka. Purchased for $70,000, he was another excellent representation of the Charm Spirit progeny. New Age Rocka is a half to Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Danglissa, and hails from the family of Group winners, Danzippo and Pampelonne, and Listed winner Marveen.

“Fastnet Rock is a fabulous broodmare sire, and with the Lord Seymour and Snippets influence, the female family has proven speed as well as the ability to cover some distance. It’s a great pedigree that crossed perfectly with Charm Spirit.”

“Being a well-grown colt, he was one beautiful horse at the sales, and when I saw him today, I was thrilled with how he has progressed over the last couple of months.

The positive enthusiasm coming through in Mark’s voice, clearly demonstrates just how excited he is with these two colts, and that infectious passion will ensure anybody that speaks to him will quickly snap up a share.

“People know me well, and they wouldn’t have heard me be this excited about a horse for a long time. There are charmed days ahead for Kavanagh Racing with these two colts, and I can hardly wait to them to the breakers.”

Written by Tracey Robertson