By Andrew Adermann
Eureka Stud knew they had produced something special in 2007 when Spirit of Boom was foaled.
The bay stallion went on to record two Group 1 wins in his career (the William Reid Stakes and Doomben 10,000 both in 2014) whilst amassing $2.5 million in prize money along the way.
Now at stud in the same paddock where he took his first breath, the Queensland-born champion is continuing to build a reputation as one of the country’s leading sires.
Hailed a first-season sensation, he smashed records at the 2018 March Sale where five yearlings by the Eureka Stud-based sire were sold for more than $200,000.
At this year’s January sale, Eureka will be showing 32 yearlings, of which 10 were sired by their superstar.
“For a stud such as ourselves to come all the way to Magic Millions in January and have 32 horses in the sale, with 22 in book one, is amazing and it doesn’t happen overnight of course,” Eureka Stud Manager Scott McAlpine said.
“This was a project that started when Spirit of Boom hit the big time and we spent our money to invest in quality mares.
“The way the parades are going at the moment, it looks like we’ll go quite well.”
Eureka Stud Bloodstock Manager Clint Donovan guaranteed that somewhere in their crop was a Magic Millions winner.
“All of these horses can now race in the $10 million day for the rest of their racing lives, so that’s really exciting,” Donovan said.
“Most importantly though the vendors are happy, the sellers are happy in that they get a good result and the buyers are happy with what they take away.”
Eureka Stud is all too familiar with Magic Millions 2YO success, having bred four winners both domestically and abroad.
However, their interest in this year’s Gold Coast edition comes via a mare they purchased called Regal Tier who was sent south to serve Headwater.
The result was a colt named Wisdom of Water, who was sold at last year’s Gold Coast sale for $70,000 and this Saturday will take his place in the famed 2YO Classic at Aquis Park.
Wisdom of Water booked his spot in the feature race last Saturday with victory in the Aquis Gold Nugget over 1100 metres, storming to the front 100 metres from home to hold out the fast-finishing favourite Conceited.
“I think it’s marvellous for Trent and the team – it’s great,” McAlpine said.
“It’s a bonus for us too, we’ve supported Headwater from the beginning.
“I love the horse, and we’ve sent a couple of mares down to him and this is the first result.
“For us to achieve a first win for Headwater and get Wisdom of Water into the Magic Millions is fantastic result for all concerned.”
Co-trainer Trent Edmonds was quietly confident about the colt’s chances this Saturday, stating that his added fitness from the run Saturday gone and his soft draw from barrier seven will be vital in turning in another great performance.
“He did a really good job here at Aquis Park the other day,” Edmonds said.
“He got to them really quick and displayed a really good turn of acceleration.
“He’s just got that X factor, he’s a very smart colt.”