Toronado Standout Attracts Good Judge

Good judge James Bester snapped up a smart colt by Swettenham Stud stallion, Toronado at the recent Magic Millions Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast.

Offered for sale as Lot 288, by Lauriston Thoroughbred Stud, the well-grown bay weanling was from the quality Fastnet Rock mare Demasheen, with the hammer falling to Bester for $140,000.

Described as a standout by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm’s James O’Brien, and being an early runner like his sire, it was not a surprise he caught the eye of respected bloodstock agent, Bester.

“An impressive type, he has come along very nicely in his preparation at our farm. I have heard all the great reports about the Toronado’s, but this colt is a truly a standout.” O’Brien said.

No surprise then, that respected bloodstock agent James Bester had more than a second look, helped by the fact that he is partial to the progeny of Fastnet Rock having purchased his mother Piccadilly Circus as a yearling.

"It's a family I know very well, and I've had close contact with all of them,” Bester said.

Bester was the leading buyer at last year’s sale with six weanlings purchased for a total of $1,390,000 at an average of $231,667.

“I have looked through this year’s catalogue in depth, and there are a lot of weanlings, that might not meet our standard. But that said, there are more than enough nice weanlings which are viable (pinhook opportunities), and it is a case of trying to determine their worth,” as Bester told ANZ Bloodstock News.

Being such an astute buyer, it is certainly a great compliment that he is going home with a Toronado weanling to pinhook next year through the yearling sales.

The dam, Demasheen is a two-year-old city winner herself. Having had three foals, her yearling and her two-year-old, now named Quideem, are both by previous Swettenham Stud sire, Equiano.

Quideem who also is an outstanding type was sold as a yearling by Swettenham at the 2016 Inglis Premier Sale to Aquis Farm for $160,000, and is currently in training with Tony McEvoy. Showing promise, he won his first trial by a length on the 26th of May over 1000 metres at Balaclava.