Racing: Record $6.1m for top colt

Black Caviar. Photo / Getty Images

Syndicate ensures half-brother to Black Caviar will do his racing in Australia.

The Australian arm of an international bloodstock syndication firm has paid a record A$5 million ($6.1 million) for a yearling half-brother to world champion racehorse Black Caviar.

The colt, by leading sire Redoute's Choice from Helsinge, attracted 15 bids at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Inglis' Newmarket complex at Randwick before he was sold to BC3 Thoroughbreds.

Bidding opened at A$2 million and it wasn't long before the Australasian record auction price of A$3.6 million was overtaken.

"You don't let families like this leave Australia," BC3 Thoroughbreds' Bill Vlahos said.

Before yesterday's sale, the Australian record for a yearling at public auction was A$3 million - reached twice - in 2006 and 2007.

The Australasian record was $3.6 million paid at the 2000 Karaka sale in New Zealand for a Zabeel colt from the family of Octagonal who became Don Eduardo, winner of the 2002 Australian Derby.

The record-breaking colt's breeder Rick Jamieson is expected to retain a share in the yearling, who is also closely related to three-time group one winner All Too Hard.

A decision on who will train the colt hasn't been made.

BC3 Thoroughbreds bought a half-sister to Black Caviar for A$2.6 million at least year's Easter sale.

Helsinge's offspring have already attracted incredible interest and results, with Black Caviar being sold for A$210,000, Moshe fetching A$95,000 (before Black Caviar had raced), Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard attracting A$1.25 million and last year the sister (Belle Couture) to yesterday's offering going for A$2.6 million at these sales.

She is also the grand-dam of recent feature two-year-old winners in Iconic and Scandiva.

Last year, Helsinge foaled a sister to Black Caviar which Jamieson intends to keep. She is now in foal to Casino Prince.

Fastnet Rock has also been to the fore with a colt out of Gold Anthem fetching A$2.4 million and another colt from Dream Play going to Coolmore Stud for A$1.5 million.

- AAP