STARTING OUT
yearling
How to pick a
Finding a successful formula when it
comes to securing a top yearling remains
an eternal battle. The yearling sale is
thoroughbred racing’s draft camp. Where
trainers do battle – on all financial levels –
for the best young talent to bolster their
stables. DANNY POWER speaks to three
Victorian experts to find out what they
look for when they go to a sale.
A
few years ago, at the William Inglis Easter
Yearling Sale, Lee Freedman was leaning on a
railing, under the shade of the famous Moreton
Bay fig tree, watching an impressive chestnut
colt parading before making its entry into the sale ring.
Freedman pointed out to a client in tow that the yearling
before him was the horse the client should buy. The client,
who had money to burn, studied the strapping colt striding
athletically around the parade ring before offering Freedman his
opinion. “I don’t like chestnuts,” he said.
Freedman, not one to mince words, and tired from days of
yearling inspection and long, entertaining nights, retaliated
abruptly. “Listen, if you want to spend $200,000 and worry about
colour, then spend it on a new Ferrari – you can choose whatever
colour you like – but don’t come here and worry about colour,”
he said.
The client was startled by Freedman’s firm comment, but
stood steadfast in his desire not to own a chestnut. “I’ve had no
luck with chestnuts,” he said. The fact that Phar Lap, Secretariat,
Ajax, Peter Pan, Vain, Wenona Girl, Let’s Elope and more recently
the Freedman-trained Super Impose were chestnuts was lost in
his stubbornness, so Freedman moved on. A bay, brown or grey
could be found easily.
36 THE THOROUGHBRED
p36-39_YearlingProcess.indd 36
M
uch has changed on the yearling sale scene in
the past 30 years. Once there was little pre-sale
inspection of the yearlings. Horses were bought on
pedigree, while conformation and type played second string.
In those days, finding the sales topper was as simple as a flick
through the pages of the catalogue.
The change came about in the early 1990s, when
conformation became the criteria. In the US, it is claimed
that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lucas changed the face of
yearling sales when he started buying off looks and not the
page. Lucas bought the best-conformed, most athletic horses
irrespective of pedigree and price.
When Lucas began dominating the major black type races
in North America, his fellow trainers and buying agents
took notice. The pendulum had swung. Pedigree became an
addendum to buying type and the sales pitch changed.
Yearlings needed to be prepared and paraded to enhance their
physique and athleticism. For a time, the most athletic, smooth,
long walkers were easy to pick, as they did it naturally. Now,
with the aid of extra staff and walking machines, it is almost
impossible to find a yearling who can’t “walk”.
In those early days of conformation buying, there was a
chance of finding a cheap yearling from a small draft in a back
barn, with a pedigree as thin as toast but with the conformation
of an equine Anthony Koutoufides. Not now, as agents and
pre-sale spotters comb the sales grounds like sniffer dogs. The
so-called bargains have become hot property, the talk of the
grounds. The bargains are left to Boxing Day at Myer.
The William Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, at
Oaklands Junction, is held between March 2-6. The Thoroughbred
talks to three of the important yearling buyers on their
philosophies, likes and dislikes when it comes to selecting the
next champion.
A high-profile trainer with the budget to shop at the top end
of the sale; a bloodstock agent buying for others; and a trainer
who gambles at the sales with his own cash.
11/2/08 5:59:41 PM
 An attractive Strong neck Powerful shoulders,
head with a wide set correctly sloping at a 45
nostril, bright eye on the shoulder degree angle
and alert outlook

Deep, rounded girth Muscular rear end.

allowing plenty of Good length of
heart and lung room hip, correct tail set

Strong,
short back

Powerful forearms
leading from a thick
muscular chest

Strong, thick
gaskins

Clean, flat knees set squarely in Clean hocks,

line with the shoulder, forearm set squarely in
and fetlocks, and squarely line with the
in line with the front leg rear end

Short, strong cannon

bones. Firm, clean tendons
Rounded fetlocks, not puffy
or enlarged. Sesamoid
Firm pasterns, not too long, bones not to be prominent
set at 45 degree angle

The perfect specimen

p36-39_YearlingProcess.indd 37 11/2/08 6:00:19 PM

 STARTING OUT

Lee Freedman we are looking for athletic horses,

KEEN EYE:
Hall of Fame Trainer Hall of Fame especially fillies – our record
trainer Lee stands up there as we have bought

F
Freedman will
reedman has been buying forgive faults if a lot of Stakes-class fillies – and
at yearling sales since the the yearling is an buying within a strict budget,
mid-1980s. As a young eye-catching whereas for up-market filly buyers
athlete.
aspiring trainer, the sales were like Keith Biggs, we are adding in a
the market garden to his fledgling sexier pedigree.”
grocery store – the place where he Freedman says pedigree
tested his skill and knowledge of remains important, and he
conformation and pedigree. studies the nicks and trends
For a time an inspection of that are working, but not always
Freedman’s stables each year would successfully. He remembers a
show most of his horses were a disastrous foray into New Zealand
distinct type, square pegs in square in the late 1990s when he did a
holes. Freedman had a liking for study of the best horses by Zabeel
black pointed bays, neat, athletic, and came up with the theory that
medium-sized horses – peas in the female line needed to have the
a pod. influence of the sires Round Table
“I have modified that over and My Babu (Might And Power
the years. You realise more and and Bezeal Bay had the nick).
more how many good horses look Armed with all the right horses
different from that. If that was the marked in the Karaka catalogue,
criteria, then every attractive horse Freedman bought up all the
PHOTO BY MARTIN KING SPORTSPIX

would be a great racehorse and we’d Zabeels with the “right” mix.
all being bidding on them, paying None of the purchases resulted in
ridiculous money,” he said. a good winner.
Freedman does not favour
any colour. He has won five Likes
Melbourne Cups with horses “I want the horse to catch my eye.
of four different shades of coat. That first impression is important.
Tawrrific (1989) was a bay; “I like an intelligent, attractive
Subzero (1992) a grey; Doriemus head, particularly with fillies. A lot
(1995) a chestnut; and Makybe important component in looking at Philosophy of good horses have been bought
Diva (2004, 2005) a rich brown. yearlings,” Freedman said. “I look for an athlete, price aside, off good heads, whereas they didn’t
Yearlings bought by Freedman Alinghi was another example but what that is can be different to have the best legs in the world. But
and his brothers, Anthony, of stored information. Freedman different people. If I like the horse, there always are exceptions to the
Michael and Richard, include trained her dam Oceanfast, a I am willing to forgive the faults. rule. Danzero didn’t have a good
Super Impose (cost $40,000), luckless racehorse that he held in Those faults only help me determine head as a yearling, although he grew
Danzero ($60,000), Naturalism high regard. It was natural for him the price. Super Impose was a into himself to become a powerful
($35,000), Alinghi ($80,000), to buy her first foal by Encosta prime example. He was athletic, a striking horse. But his mother was
Mummify ($65,000) and Subzero De Lago (whom he also trained) great walker, but he had bad legs. by Kaoru Star and that stallion
($100,000). for $80,000. (Super Impose broke down before threw a Roman nose into his stock.”
Danzero (B c 1991, Danehill It was a yearling sale that he raced, but won the Group 1 Cox
– Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) changed Freedman’s life. Plate (2040m) as an eight-year-old). Dislikes
was bought from the first crop of In 1986, at the Trentham Sales “To be perfectly honest, despite “I am willing to forgive most faults,
Danehill. Freedman paid $60,000 in Wellington, New Zealand, what all the so-called industry but a horse who has a combination
for the dark bay colt with a big, Freedman bought Super Impose experts tell you, there is a lot of of faults – ‘back in the knee’ but also
dopey head at the 1993 “Sale of (Ch c 1984, Imposing – Pheroz luck involved. Some people are just offset or upright – needs to be a very
The Sanctuary” on the Gold Coast. Fantasy, by Taipan) for $40,000. kidding themselves it is all their appealing animal before I buy it.
Freedman liked him for various The leggy youngster had his faults, expertise and they can go to the “I put the pen straight through
reasons, but one was the fact his but Freedman liked his athleticism. sales and get it right every time. small, dumpy horses and also
father, Tony, trained the grand- Tawrrific (B c 1984, Tawfiq – That said, there are more bad judges horses with bad temperaments.
dam Idesa (by Idomeneo) and bred Joyarty, by Noble Bijou) came out than good judges, but good judges There are some breeds that have
Danzero’s mother that encouraged of the same sale, bought by clients. have their bad days as well. ordinary temperaments, so you
him to buy the colt. “It’s a help Three years later in 1989, Freedman “My philosophy also is know what to expect.”
to be around a while to build a trained Tawrrific and Super Impose determined by whom I am buying
portfolio of horses you have seen to quinella the Group 1 Melbourne for. Buying for Slades (leading Advice
or been associated with. It’s an Cup (3200m). syndicators Slades Bloodstock) “Do a lot of praying!”

38 THE THOROUGHBRED

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 Damon Gabbedy Philosophy Choice – Snippets’ Lass, by can improve, or go backwards, in
Bloodstock Agent “Sometimes as an agent, buying for Snippets) who sold for $1.4 million. that short time. At the sales, it is
(Belmont Bloodstock) clients, I tend to be super critical of She is a small filly and if you didn’t important that they are handling
horses. It’s different with trainers know that her brother Snitzel the pressure. Some vendors excuse

D
amon Gabbedy developed who are buying for themselves to (Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner horses when they don’t perform
his love of racing from his train. I have listened a lot to Lee and now Arrowfield-based sire) in viewing them (‘he’s tired’) but
father, John, a Perth-based Freedman when looking at yearlings also was small and compact, then I still want to see horses showing
wool buyer. “Every spare dollar Dad to be more forgiving of faults. You you wouldn’t be paying that sort of that ability to handle it. It is the
earned went into racing horses,” only have to watch the winners money for her.” temperament and toughness you are
Gabbedy said. A highlight for the walk in on Derby Day to see all the after in a racehorse.”
Gabbedys occurred in 1992 when faults. Horses like Northerly and Likes
their top-class sprinter Storaia Might And Power. “Personally, I love a horse with Dislikes
finished second to stablemate “I like to get a first impression as a strong rear end – the push-off “Personally, the main fault I steer
Schillaci in the Group 1 Newmarket soon as the horse walks out. If it is power – and a horse that really clear of is a yearling that is ‘back in
Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. an eye-catching, athletic horse and I uses that rear end in the walk. the knee’ (if you run a straight line
“Mum always said that if I put the like it, then I am happy not to worry I call it swinging the hips like from the side through the shoulder
same time into my school work that too much about faults.” Marilyn Monroe – it’s referred to and the forearm, that line should
I did into my racing study, I would Gabbedy said it was important as the walk of a hooker. run through the centre of the knee
have been a genius,” Gabbedy said. to know the history of the “A yearling must have a good and the fetlock joint. ‘Back in the
His first job was with Goodwood pedigree. There are yearlings you temperament. knee’ is when the centre of the knee
Bloodstock, learning the finer points can virtually describe without “I don’t look at yearlings at the is behind that imaginary line. It can
of thoroughbred conformation from seeing them. farms as much as I used to. There result in knee chips and long, slopey
John Chalmers and Simon Vivian. “Take Freedman’s recent winner is no substitute for seeing them awkward pasterns).
Gabbedy is now based in Viennese (B f 2005, Redoute’s at the sales complex. Yearlings “‘Back in the knee’ was once a big
Melbourne, where he is the no-no, then along came Danehill
principal of Belmont Bloodstock. and all that changed. Danehill
THE AGENT: Belmont
As a bloodstock agent, Gabbedy Bloodstock’s Damon himself was back in the knee and
has a different approach to the sales Gabbedy buys yearlings he threw the fault into many of his
for some of Australia’s
from that taken by the trainers. He offspring, but they had the ability
leading breeders.
needs to establish his clientele and and strength of bone to overcome it.
understand their wishes. Gabbedy “I also don’t like a horse that
buys for several breeders, so his is really upright in front, like
expertise has been refined towards they are standing in high heels
that end of the market. (the perfect angle of the pastern
However, he can claim to have should be 45 per cent). This fault
signed the sales ticket for one of sometimes can correct itself in
the most influential colts sold in time, especially if the horse has
Australia, the imposing Encosta De the correct shoulder angulation
Lago (B c 1990, Fairy King – Shoal (it is generally accepted that the
Creek, by Star Way), bought by angle of the shoulder and the
Gabbedy for his long-time client Joe pastern will always be the same).
Throsby at the 1990 Sydney Easter “Also I don’t like a high head
Yearling Sales for $140,000. carriage, but, of course, there are
“Joe owned part of Encosta De horses who go against the rules.
Lago’s dam (Shoal Creek) and sold Northerly always carried his
her in foal to Fairy King for $40,000. head high.”
He thought so much of the yearling
from the result of that mating, he Advice
paid $140,000 for him,” he said. Gabbedy said it was difficult to
Gabbedy’s other important sustain your “eye” for a yearling
purchases include Mick Price’s at the end of a long, tough day
PHOTO BY MARTIN KING SPORTSPIX

top-class filly Bel Mer, Lee at the sales. He recommended

Freedman’s wonderful grey revisiting those yearlings.
Zagaletta, the 2005 Group 1 “I use a colour-coded system.
Victoria Derby winner Benicio, The fi rst look is in blue, then
Honor Lap, who won the 2002 black and so on. Sometimes you
Group 2 WA Oaks-Group 1 WA get a different picture of a horse
Derby double, and the 2004 Group at the second look, especially
2 WA Oaks winner Fatal Attraction. when you are fresher,” he said.

THE THOROUGHBRED 39

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 STARTING OUT

Robbie Griffiths
SPECULATE: Trainer
Former Jockey, Trainer Robbie Griffi ths

T
“gambles” on buying
rainer Robbie Griffiths, a yearlings with his
former jockey, comes from own money.

a racing family. His father,

John, is a trainer, while his brother,
Rodney, was one of Melbourne’s
top riders in the 1990s until weight
forced him out of the saddle.
Griffiths, who retired from riding
in 1990, is like most of the “second-
tier” trainers in Australia. If he
waited for orders from prospective
owners to buy yearlings, his stables
would be empty.
For Griffiths and his ilk, the
PHOTO BY LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM (GSP IMAGES)

yearling sales are a gamble. A time

when bank managers are on speed
dial, and the accounts department
from the sales companies have more
conversations with him than he
does with his wife.
Griffiths buys “on spec”. In other
words he puts his own down on
the table. Borrowed money that he
plans to repay when the horses are
syndicated to clients. It’s a worrying
time. Griffiths switches from horse
trainer to used car salesman. was wrong. I nearly pulled out at there is a strong possibility I am “I like horses light on their feet,
For that reason, Griffiths needs $50,000, but I decided I wanted her selling to myself. In other words, if and they must walk well, with an
to be frugal and diligent at the sales. and kept bidding.” I can’t sell the yearling, then I own overstep. The horse needs to have a
He scours for good buying, and he (A year earlier, Alzarino’s Jeune it. I can’t sell an idea, but I can sell big barrel. I don’t care if the horse
buys horses that suit the Melbourne King Prawn colt brought only a product, which is why I buy first is only 15 hands tall, as long there
market. VOBIS qualification is a $15,000 at Sydney’s Classic Sale). and sell later. is plenty of room for a big heart
pre-requisite. He buys on type – the Griffiths’ eye was spot on. “I don’t have orders. If I miscue and lungs. I remember my time as
best quality individual he can lay Named Tzarina, the Tobougg it affects my future. I buy 10 to a jockey that all the good horses I
his hands on within his budget. filly brilliantly won her debut at 12 yearlings a year. I try to buy a rode were like Harley Davidsons,
An example of his process is the Bendigo (1000m) on November variety of pedigrees, but with a you could hardly get your legs
Tobougg–Alzarino (by Wallenda) 14, and then charged home for preference to successful sires. Most around them. Small horses like
filly from the 2007 Melbourne a luckless second to Marveen successful sires have about eight Mahogany and Brawny Spirit had
Autumn Sale. The filly was by a in the Listed Merson Cooper per cent Stakes winners, which that big barrel.”
sire few people knew anything Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on numerically adds up to about 20
about out of a four-time provincial November 24. a year. Dislikes
winning mare Alzarino. The filly Griffiths started his buying “I try to buy the best-looking “I don’t like big yearlings because I
was late in the sale; the auditorium career with a bang. The first two yearling out of a proven mare with find that big yearlings have a habit
was almost empty, except for those yearlings he bought at Melbourne athleticism, and there is a higher of keeping on growing and get too
patient buyers who were lurking in 2002 were outstanding pre- than normal chance I will land in big. Also I won’t buy a narrow
to snaffle this extremely athletic Christmas juveniles – Ra Sun (Ch that 20. horse that lacks heart room. “My
filly. For Griffiths, she was the star c 2000, General Nediym – Red “I am forgiving of faults. Faults biggest dislike is a heavy walker,
of the sale. In his words: “She was Sundae, by Sovereign Red) cost pull them up in the ring, but not like a plodder. Generally they are
a great type, a well-grown and $135,000, and Arena Star (Br f on a racetrack.” heavy plodders at the gallop.”
proportioned filly with a strong 2000, Spartacus – Centrullah, by
shoulder, flat knees, an intelligent Century) bought for only $40,000. Likes Advice
head, a great length of rein and “I like an intelligent head, well- “Revisit the horses you like,
strong hindquarters.” Philosophy balanced body, athleticism, good sometimes four or five times. Put
The filly sold for a hefty $72,500. “I look for an athlete first. While walker and good genetics, and a value on the horse but don’t be
“I thought I had found one that I am on selling, the difference there is a fair chance you will caught rigidly to that price, allow for
nobody else had spotted, but I between me and most others is that come up trumps. extra if you really like the horse.”

40 THE THOROUGHBRED

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