Vinery Stud’s star first season sire Ole Kirk has surged in value to an estimated $60 million, marking a 33 per cent increase in just over a year.
The Written Tycoon stallion, who boasts close ties to champion mare Black Caviar and his Vinery roster mate All Too Hard, saw a 1 per cent share sold for $600,000 to Hong Kong-based breeder Eric Yeung through Inglis Digital on Wednesday.
Ole Kirk’s service fee was lifted to $99,000 (inc GST) this season following an outstanding start to his stud career. His first crop has already produced top-class performers including Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner O’ Ole, Breeders’ Plate victor King Kirk and promising colt Legacy Bound. He is also the sire of Listed winner Prestige Forever, a horse raced by Yeung and now trained by Matt Laurie after David Brideoake’s retirement.
A private sale last July valued Ole Kirk at $40 million, highlighting the remarkable rise in his stallion profile in just 14 months.
At the same Inglis Digital auction, Yeung also secured a 2.5 per cent share in Widden Victoria stallion Southport Tycoon for $180,000, valuing the dual Group 1 winner at $7.2 million. The son of Written Tycoon is standing his first season at stud in 2025 at a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
Meanwhile, syndicator Darby Racing paid $135,000 for Melbourne city-winning Shalaa mare Catahoula, who finished third at Sandown last week and was previously prepared by Team Hawkes.