Four in a million (or more)
July 29th 2008 06:07
Buying the most expensive yearling is no guarantee of racetrack success or financial return. Yearling prices can be inflated at any time by competition at the top end of the market where money means less than prestige. But without going over the failures of the yearling-sales-toppers, it might be instructive to examine the list of the horses in Australia that returned more than two million dollars in prizemoney for their owners in season 2007-2008.
(photo: Darren McNamara)
Efficient heads the table, returning $3,113,500. A very good reward for bold planning (good timing) with the bulk of this return being from his single win for the season - The Melbourne Cup. Nonetheless a quality racehorse with a VRC Derby victory as well and prominence as the early Melbourne Cup favourite for 2008. All in all a good return on his $220,000 purchase price. For interests sake Efficient received $3 million in prizemoney for the Melbourne Cup, and $13,500 for his 4th at Moonee Valley in September in the Dato Tan Chim Nam Stakes. Efficient has lifetime earnings of $4.2 million.
Sebring comes in second with earnings of $2,537,060 coming from his five wins, including the Golden Slipper Stakes - and going oh so close to winning the Triple Crown. He will miss the Spring through injury and with his stud career looming it is no certainty that he will grace a racetrack again. Sebring was a $130,000 purchase at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast. The syndicate that own him have won the lottery twice with the residual value of a colt who wins the Golden Slipper being a goldmine (or $30 million in their case).
Weekend Hussler comes in third with earnings of $2,384,900 from his 9 wins (including 6 at Group One). This gelding son of Hussonet would be worth a fortune as a stud proposition. In this regard his owners miss out on the multiple millions of his early retirement - but we as racing enthusiasts are treated to his racetrack performances in years to come. Like Sebring all of his earnings come from the one season (2007-2008), so it is quite likely that his bank balance is only in its infancy. With the races he is set to target this season his lifetimes earnings would be more than trebled with success. Even without the lucrative stud opportunities, this horse has proven an incredible purchase for his owners, given the (now) meagre $80,000 they spent to secure him at the 2006 William Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
El Segundo is our number four on this list with earnings of $2,063,500. Fittingly in this group after success in the 2007 WS Cox Plate which provided the bulk of his prizemoney with $1.8 million. El Segundo had an inconsistent Spring - but like Efficient he found his best on the day it mattered most. He has career earnings of $3.79 million, which is a good return on the $140,000 purchase price at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.
These are the only four horses to win over $2 million dollars in the 2007-2008 racing season in Australia. Three geldings and one colt. No fillies or mares. The most expensive purchase was Efficient at $220,000.
Weekend Hussler away from the track:
El Segundo winning Cox Plate
(photo: Darren McNamara)
Efficient heads the table, returning $3,113,500. A very good reward for bold planning (good timing) with the bulk of this return being from his single win for the season - The Melbourne Cup. Nonetheless a quality racehorse with a VRC Derby victory as well and prominence as the early Melbourne Cup favourite for 2008. All in all a good return on his $220,000 purchase price. For interests sake Efficient received $3 million in prizemoney for the Melbourne Cup, and $13,500 for his 4th at Moonee Valley in September in the Dato Tan Chim Nam Stakes. Efficient has lifetime earnings of $4.2 million.
Sebring comes in second with earnings of $2,537,060 coming from his five wins, including the Golden Slipper Stakes - and going oh so close to winning the Triple Crown. He will miss the Spring through injury and with his stud career looming it is no certainty that he will grace a racetrack again. Sebring was a $130,000 purchase at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast. The syndicate that own him have won the lottery twice with the residual value of a colt who wins the Golden Slipper being a goldmine (or $30 million in their case).
Weekend Hussler comes in third with earnings of $2,384,900 from his 9 wins (including 6 at Group One). This gelding son of Hussonet would be worth a fortune as a stud proposition. In this regard his owners miss out on the multiple millions of his early retirement - but we as racing enthusiasts are treated to his racetrack performances in years to come. Like Sebring all of his earnings come from the one season (2007-2008), so it is quite likely that his bank balance is only in its infancy. With the races he is set to target this season his lifetimes earnings would be more than trebled with success. Even without the lucrative stud opportunities, this horse has proven an incredible purchase for his owners, given the (now) meagre $80,000 they spent to secure him at the 2006 William Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
El Segundo is our number four on this list with earnings of $2,063,500. Fittingly in this group after success in the 2007 WS Cox Plate which provided the bulk of his prizemoney with $1.8 million. El Segundo had an inconsistent Spring - but like Efficient he found his best on the day it mattered most. He has career earnings of $3.79 million, which is a good return on the $140,000 purchase price at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.
These are the only four horses to win over $2 million dollars in the 2007-2008 racing season in Australia. Three geldings and one colt. No fillies or mares. The most expensive purchase was Efficient at $220,000.
Weekend Hussler away from the track:
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