Home Affairs Lights Up Gold Coast Sale Ring

The first crop of weanlings by dual Group I winning sprinter Home Affairs were keenly sought at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale this week with all 16 offered changing hands at an average $189,688 and he was the leading overall sire by aggregate.

Renowned pinhookers Silverdale Farm secured the top seller for Home Affairs paying $430,000 for the filly from Witherspoon consigned by Newgate Farm.

She is the second foal of Group III placed Exceed and Excel mare Witherspoon, a sibling to Group I winner Manuel and Group III winners Sun Patch and Taking Aim.

“They are good quality horses and I have been impressed by them (Home Affairs) across the board. We had a good few of them on our list here and this one was our favourite - she rated very highly for us,” said Silverdale Farm’s Rob Petith.

“We had to go a bit higher than we thought,but we have done that in the past and it has worked out well!

“She is a strong, athletic filly. With a horse like this filly you have good residual value so there is a back-up plan.”

A beautiful Home Affairs filly from Art Collection was the top seller for her sire on Sunday when fetching $380,000 for Coolmore when purchased by Lindsay Maxted and she will be retained to race.

The stylish bay is the third foal of Group III placed Fastnet Rock mare Art Collection, a three-quarter sister to five time Group I winner and Australian Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee.

Art Collection has already produced a smart winner by Justify in Clavadatsch and is now in foal to St Mark’s Basilica.

Home Affairs also had a filly from Orchidia (IRE) make $360,000 for Vinery Stud when bought by Lime Country Thoroughbreds and a colt from Inthemidstofbiz (USA) fetch $350,000 for Newgate Farm when bought by Riverstone Lodge Pty Ltd/Suman Hedge Bloodstock.

The colt is destined for re-sale next year as a yearling.