By Michele MacDonald
When the hammer fell and a euphoric cheer erupted from a corner of the Northern Horse Park pavilion, it was clear something special had happened. Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse and a bubbly group of associates could not contain their excitement after landing their first purchase at the Japan Racing Horse Association select sale.
“We saw this colt and he just filled the eye–he moves very freely,” a smiling Waterhouse said after posing with Hip 175, a stylish, brown son of European champion and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bago (Fr) (Nashwan) out of Japanese winner Our Oasis (Jpn) (Desert King {Ire}) acquired for ¥10 million ($80,646). “Hopefully, we'll win the Melbourne Cup with him in years to come.”
Waterhouse said she would think overnight about future plans for the colt, who was offered by Tanikawa Stud–breeder of 1964 Japanese Triple Crown winner Shinzan (Jpn) (Hindostan {GB})–and where he would be sent. She did not have to think long, however, when asked for her impressions of the JRHA sale.
“We are very impressed with how quiet the horses are; they are well educated. Many people from overseas could take great leadership from how things are done in Japan,” she said, adding that the “clear cut and open” sale system that includes publication of reserve prices is advantageous to buyers.
Her acquisition of the Bago colt emerged almost spontaneously and with help from a longtime rival, Waterhouse revealed, after earlier bids on colts by Deep Impact (Jpn) and King Kamehameha (Jpn) had fallen short. She and New Zealand-based trainer Paul Moroney, who had engaged “in many bidding duels in the past,” joined forces to buy the colt.
“We've taken the first step now,” said Waterhouse, indicating that more purchases will be possible in the future.
Bloodstock agent Satomi Oka, who is based in Australia, and Su-Ann Khaw, who handles social media and international business for Waterhouse, accompanied the trainer and her husband, Robbie Waterhouse, in posing with the Bago colt, whose second dam is American stakes-placed Kello Mello (Eastern Echo). The colt's third dam is a half sister to English champion and Group 1 winner Flirting Around (Round Table).
The Waterhouse team plans to continue participating in sales around the world and intends to travel to New York for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, she said.
“It's something we've wanted to do for a long time,” said Waterhouse, noting that her clients include Americans Jon and Sarah Kelly and Gretchen and Roy Jackson. “We're so looking forward to it.”
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