WRITTEN TYCOON: NEXT STOP, SPRING

Although 2010 is still less than six months old, it has certainly been a watershed year for Eliza Park.
The acquisition of three exciting new stallions – Wanted, Bushranger and Sharkbite – has married perfectly with a sales season that again raised the benchmark.
In January, Eliza Park sold yearlings in New Zealand for the first time (including $260k for a Fusaichi Pegasus and $180k for a Holy Roman Emperor) and, back on home turf, topped the gross at the Melbourne Premier, consigning the highest priced Bel Esprit, Canny Lad, Choisir, Commands, Magic Albert and Reset.
Importantly, Eliza Park’s overall clearance of 92% - from sales on the Gold Coast, Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and Launceston – is a litmus test for both the stud’s preparation and preparedness to meet the market.
Perhaps the most telling aspect to emanate from 2010 sales however is the rise and rise of Written Tycoon (below).
Retiring to stud in 2007, Written Tycoon has covered 323 mares in his first three seasons at Eliza Park and the quality of his stock is such that he has garnered rave reviews from day one.
But the proof they say is in the eating, or in this case – buying – and when Written Tycoon’s first crop yearlings were presented at 2010 sales, they fielded four times service fee and sold up to $80,000. Not bad off an introductory fee of $8,250 ($6,600 in 2010).
Even more encouraging, they’ve ended up in top stables, with Written Tycoon sale yearlings finding new homes with Lee Freedman, Robbie Griffiths, Mike Moroney, Grahame Begg, Paul Perry, Lloyd Kennewell, David Payne, George Blacker and Mark Miniverni to name but a few, while quite a few were also knocked down to leading bloodstock agents, ensuring a future among the training elite.
Tellingly, Eliza Park’s head breaker, Darren Mackereth has had his hands full, breaking in around half a dozen Written Tycoons and he’s walked away with guarded confidence as to their future.
“They are all forward going types and, like him, should race as 2YOs (Written Tycoon won the Todman Slipper-G2 at two),” Darren points out. “The Grammy Award colt (sold to Graebar Park for $85,000 before being returned to Eliza Park for ‘education’) was certainly one to impress. I first saw this bloke as a foal and he’s done everything required of him. Definitely one to watch.”