Deep Impact Colt Tops Day Two at Magic Millions

Ottavio Galletta, the majority owner of group 1-winning stallion prospect Castelvecchio, did not reveal his intention to buy the only horse by Deep Impact at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Jan. 9 until hours before the colt went through the ring.

It was left to Castelvecchio's Sydney-based trainer Richard Litt to handle the bidding on behalf of Galletta, landing the Arrowfield Stud-offered lot for A$1.9 million (US$1,304,582).

The colt was one of four seven-figure lots sold Thursday, bringing the total for the sale so far to seven, in a market that remains buoyant with a thirst from the buying bench for new stock.

By Japan's late champion sire Deep Impact, the colt is the first foal out of group 3-winning Redoute's Choice mare Honesty Prevails and Litt revealed his client was prepared to keep going, had the competition continued for the prized yearling.

"This was a massive responsibility on me and it's not something I will be taking lightly—I have to step up and produce another good horse in a year or so," said Litt.

"I never thought I'd be in this position a year ago, I was here buying tried horses so we're very lucky.

"Ottavio knows his horses, he buys the ones he wants and he loved this colt's pedigree. It was a bit nerve-wracking. There was no budget—I just did what he told me to do."

On the colt himself, Litt said: "I saw him only a couple of hours ago, but he came out and was very professional. What can I say? He was perfect.

"He's very well bred out of a good mare and by Deep Impact—they don't make them any more—and he's a lovely individual."

Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho, who races the Les Bridge-trained group 2-winning sprinter Classique Legend, by Not A Single Doubt, was the underbidder.

Arrowfield Stud's John Messara has a long-established relationship with Galletta and orchestrated the deal to buy a majority share in the Arrowfield Stud-bred Castelvecchio late last year with a view to retiring him to stud in the next year or two.

But Galletta did not flag his interest in the valuable colt in the days leading up to the colt's sale, which saw a $500,000 opening bid.

"Ottavio plays his cards very close to his chest," said Massara. "He asked me a few times about this horse and I told him, 'Ottavio, I think this horse is going to fetch a million-plus' and he said, 'That's going to be too much money.'

"He obviously had his mind set. Ottavio is a canny investor and I guess what he's done is give us some of our money back for the purchase of Castelvecchio. I'm excited that he's got him and we're obviously in the stable now with the other horse, so I'll be able to keep an eye on this bloke."

Messara had neither sought nor been offered a chance to retain a stake in the colt who is the only lot by Deep Impact in the catalog.

"Richard's a young trainer with a big future and this will give him an additional boost now on top of Castelvecchio," he said. 

"I made no arrangements to buy any equity but if he offers me some equity I wouldn't mind having it, by the way, so that way the horse can stand at Arrowfield Stud, otherwise he's going to hit me for tens of millions to buy in at some later stage."

Cataloged as Lot 385, the colt is bred on the same Deep Impact-Redoute's Choice cross as the Epsom Cup (G3) winner Satono Arthur.

Messara was also pleased with the reception for the progeny of Arrowfield Stud's first-crop sires Maurice, Mikki Isle, and Shalaa, the last of whom who had a colt sell for A$600,000 on Thursday.

"I don't like these unproven horses selling for too much money because the expectation becomes enormous on the progeny," said Messara.

"I've been caught in that before, but they are averaging around A$200,000, which is about six and seven times the service fee, which is more than enough. I'm very pleased with the acceptance of these horses."

The third session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will start Friday at 10:00 a.m.