Coolmore Stud looks set to complete a multi-billion-dollar deal which could have a huge impact on the future of horse racing in Australia.
The world’s largest breeding operation of thoroughbred horses is on course to shell out more than $50 million to purchase star two-year-old Storm Boy.
The horse has rattled off three stylish victories in Australia to jump to the head of the betting for the prestigious Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in March.
Storm Boy’s most recent outing saw him run out a hugely impressive two-and-a-half lengths winner of the 2024 Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic.
Punters who know how to bet on horses were in clover after that result, with Storm Boy returning as the heavily backed 2.50 favourite after receiving a ton of support.
If the son of Justify follows up by winning the Golden Slipper, his future value at stud would far outweigh what Coolmore are paying to buy him.
Intriguingly, they bred and sold the colt as a yearling for $460,000, but are now happy to splash the cash to bring him back under their umbrella.
Given the form he has shown up to this point in his career, it is no surprise that Storm Boy is being talked about as a potential future superstar stallion.
Coolmore has a long track record of breeding top-class horses, with Galileo undoubtedly the most noteworthy stallion they have owned.
His offspring have proved to be the scourge of horse racing betting sites, winning countless Group-level races across the world.
To ensure they stay ahead of the game, Coolmore is constantly on the lookout for stallions who could help them dominate racing over the next few decades.
If Storm Boy lives up to the hype, he could eventually produce horses capable of mopping up all the big races staged each year in Australia.
His short-term objective will be to emerge victorious in the Golden Slipper – a task which will not be easy due to presence of another Coolmore-bred colt.
Switzerland staked his claim to be considered a genuine contender for the Group 1 race with a spectacular debut victory in the Join ATC Membership Handicap at Randwick.
The Snitzel colt powered home under jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who has made no secret of how highly he rates the son of Snitzel.
Trainer Chris Waller was extremely bullish about the horse after the race and hinted that a tilt at the Golden Slipper was likely to be on the agenda.
“I think it is well documented we don’t ask too much of our babies early in the season and honestly we have not let this colt off the bridle at home,” Waller said.
“But we start to get a bit of a feel how our two-year-olds are going from our good track riders and they have been telling me for a while now that this colt is very talented.
“He’s a lovely, strong horse, very well-bred and the complete package but there’s a long way to go before the Golden Slipper. It is important with our horses to see how they pull up after a race but that was good to see him win so well.”
