The first two major yearling sales of 2022 in Australia saw the emergence of a minimal select group of yearlings by the impeccably bred international Group 1 winner and four-time Japan Group 1-placed Real Steel (Deep Impact Loves Only Me, by Storm Cat). Selling at Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Classic, his first half-dozen Australian yearlings sold to $200,000 – one at each sale – and averaged $133,000.

Analysis of known upcoming yearling catalogues in Australia shows there are just another five of Real Steel’s progeny that have been consigned. For the vendors of those yearlings (one at Inglis Premier, three at MM Adelaide and one at MM Gold Coast March), there was more great news last Friday. Real Steel’s multiple Group 1-winning full-sister Loves Only You, whose Gr1 victories have come in Japan (Japanese Oaks), Hong Kong (two) and the United States (Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf), became the first Japanese-trained horse to win a prestigious American Eclipse Award when crowned Champion Turf Female. For good measure, Loves Only You also captured the Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December, en-route to Japan and retirement at Shadai Farm.

Real Steel, whose first progeny in Japan have sold for close to AUDS1 million, only stood one season at Arrowfield Stud due to the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020. That lone crop could turn out to be like precious gems for their buyers – they include Caron Maher Racing (2), Danny O’Brien and John Thompson – as well as their breeders, many of whom chose to hold onto what they bred.

DGR’s Duncan Ramage has limited ownership opportunities available in the Real Steel colt he selected and purchased for A$200,000 from Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Classic Sale draft. He is a quality colt with an excellent international pedigree.

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Story courtesy of Breeding and Racing