HORSE RACING

SHANE Nichols didn’t leave wondering ‘what could’ve been’ after forking out $800,000 to purchase the first foal out of his Group 1 winning mare I Am A Star.

Nichols, who trained the mother to 10 victories, including 9 at Group class level, paid up for the Deep Field colt (lot 125) at Tuesday’s opening session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The Mornington-based trainer said he expected a large price tag on the bold chestnut colt but was thrilled to see some similar characteristics to his brilliant mare I Am A Star.

“He’s a pretty nice colt, she’s produced a good one first go (as a broodmare),” Nichols said.

“He’s got a few similarities to her. He’s a different colour but I was looking at him and noticed that a couple of the angles and that sort of thing, and his head carriage was very, very similar to her.

“She wasn’t a big horse so he’s going to be a more masculine version of her I suppose but a nice, neat horse and I’m pretty sure he’ll be able to run.”

The colt has already settled in well at Nichols’ Mornington stables and is currently enjoying some time out in the paddock with a stablemate.

Nichols said there’s still some shares available in the colt with 25% remaining.

“$800,000 is $800,000, it’s hard to earn with a pick and shovel but I knew we were going to get pushed a bit and I thought $600,000 to $800,000 was probably her range,” he said.

“I’m relieved that it’s over and we were able to buy him, now I’ve just got to sell him.”

First published in the Mornington News – 18 January 2022