$1.5 Million for Pierro Colt

Creating early fireworks in the Magic Millions sale ring on Thursday morning was an outstanding colt by Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro that was the subject of keen bidding before eventually being secured by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $1.5million.

Consigned by Kia Ora Stud, the glamour colt from Group III winning Redoute’s Choice mare Ravi becomes the equal highest priced yearling by Pierro ever sold, matching a colt that sold for the same money at Magic Millions back in 2016.

He is bred on the super successful Pierro x Redoute’s Choice cross that runs at 20% SW to runner and has produced nine stakes-winners headed by Group I winners Arcadia Queen, Regal Power and Levendi.

"He's a lovely physical," Maher's Bloodstock Manager Will Bourne said. "He's a Pierro out of a Redoute's mare, who could run herself.

"The Pierro-Redoute's cross has produced three Group One winners from a sample size of about 40 horses. A proven sire, the mare could run and it's a proven cross - it was a real no-brainer for us.

"We loved the colt. He's that athletic, I wouldn't put if past him to do it at two, but he'll be doing his best work at three."

Kia Ora Stud bred this colt and also bred and raced his dam Ravi, who is a full sister to Northern Hemisphere bred Redoute’s Choice stakes-winner Elzaam, who has proven to be a very handy stallion in the UK.

“He was the most beautiful colt and I think his temperament was a big selling factor as from the moment he arrived at the complex he has put every foot right,” said Shane Wright of Kia Ora Stud.

“The bidding for him was extremely hot as there were a lot of people that fell in love with him and they all came in and were there and tried their best, so 1.5 million was a huge result.

“Congratulations to Ciaron Maher and I hope he’s very lucky for their team going forward.”

The first foal from Ravi is a Pierro filly that made $200,000 at Inglis Easter last year when bought by Mick Price Racing and has been named Ravin.

Pierro has been in hot form of late with a string of recent stakes-winners as well as brilliant two year-old filly Paris Dior, who is on track for the $2million Inglis Millennium.

Other good sales for Pierro have been fillies from Japhils and Santuzza that both made $400,000 and were bought by Milano Bloodstock/Ciaran Maher Bloodstock and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.