Kevin Dagg Bloodstock
Kevin Dagg (Bloodstock) joined forces with Clanbrooke Racing in 2003 with a view to purchase yearlings in the `middle market’ for Syndication. The results to date have far exceeded our wildest expectations.
“I have spent a lifetime in racing. In 1958 I started as a race broadcaster and handicapper in Victoria and South Australia. Whilst in South Australia I was No. 1 caller for 5DN and my apprentice caller was Bryan Martin, later to become a leading Australian commentator.
In 1973 I decided to follow my passion and enter the field of bloodstock. I joined the Coles Brothers and worked under the legendary bloodstock expert David Coles. After learning the ropes in the pedigree department I joined Wright Stephenson’s in Victoria and built up a strong client base, buying all types of Bloodstock for clients. Successful horses that I have bought are numerous and include Group 1 champions Arapaho Miss, Family of Man, Raffindale, Paint, Welcome Knight, Valedictum s well as Group performers Jet Fighter, Citras Prince, Regimental Honour, Pontal Lass, Keltrice and numerous other stakes horses.
Since 2003, I have purchased 11 Yearlings with Clanbrooke Racing. The results represent a proud record that include 6 winners from 6 horses to race with our crowning glory the purchase and subsequent success of the 2007 VRC Oaks winner Arapaho Miss, purchased for $22,500 from breeder Tony Santic at the 2006 Victorian Premier Sale. She is now poised to become a serious prospect in races like the AJC Oaks, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. What a great thrill it was to provide Pat Carey his first group 1 winner with the first horse he trained for Clanbrooke .
We are also very confident that our $37, 500 purchase at the 2005 Victorian Premier Sale, Doubly Sure, a 4yo colt by all conquering sire O’Reilly, can also emulate Arapaho Miss and gain Group 1 honours in the lucrative staying races in this country. We have given him time to mature as a stayer and we believe that now is pay back time. His trainer Tony Vasil does not believe these dreams are wishful thinking. Vasil trained Dai Ichi, also purchased at the Melbourne Premier Sales, with relative success. Dai Ichi won close to $100,000 and was Group Placed in the SAJC Sires Produce S. (G3).
We also hold high hopes for Allanthus (Street Cry - My Family Tree), a 3YO Gelding we purchased at the 2006 Adelaide Magic Millions for $22K. A brilliant winner at his second start in a Ballarat Maiden, Allanthus is now Stakes Placed (2nd Autumn Classic (G2)). Other promising horses purchased for Clanbrooke Racing include Acatabove (Catbird – Numerette), a Geelong Maiden winner, as well as the unraced Wodonga trial winner Mondena Magic (Testa Rossa – Sedbury).
These successes do not happen by chance. Although I do admit that you must have luck on your side, weeks of inspection of hundreds of yearlings are undertaken before our purchases are made. I pay great attention to temperament and balance and focus on buying horses that are athletic. If I can buy a yearling by a stallion throwing winners of high quality, I favour them greatly. Prime examples are Arapaho Miss by Danehill Dancer and Doubly Sure by O’Reilly.
I am particularly pleased that I have purchased two Group I winners from the William Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for less than $50,000. They are Arapaho Miss (for Clanbooke) and Valedictum for clients of Danny O’Brien.
I will be inspecting yearlings at sales throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2008, searching for athletic horses purchased at value prices so that Clanbrooke Syndicate members can enjoy the thrill of racing horses capable of paying their way.”