Multiple Group One winner Atishu has been confirmed as one of the headline acts for May’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast.
Purchased by New Zealand syndicator Go Racing out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, Atishu has carried their silks to 10 wins, including two at Group One level, and 12 placings, earning A$3.9 million in prizemoney to date.
“She’s taken us on a fantastic ride. She’s a very special horse,” Go Racing’s Albert Bosma said.
“Right from day one she showed she was going to have an exciting future. She was able to run amazing sectionals from the start in New Zealand.
“At home (New Zealand) she won four straight before heading to Australia and winning first time out in Sydney. Two starts later she won a Bill Ritchie (Gr.3, 1400m).
“Her couple of Group One wins have come in high-class races in Sydney and Melbourne and she was the clear winner on both occasions.
“She’s one of those mares that has kept getting better and better and right now she would be at the peak of her powers.”
Bosma said Atishu would run next in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) before heading to Sydney to take her place in The Championships.
“She loves Flemington and her next start will be there in the Australian Cup and then she will head to either the Queen of the Turf (Gr.1, 1600m) or Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) in Sydney.
“The most important thing is, considering the form she is racing in, she will be able to head to the breeding barn with plenty in reserve – that is important to us.”
Bosma has been thrilled to watch Atishu develop from a yearling into a multiple Group One winner on the track.
“Atishu was a lovely yearling. Her full-sister the year before sold for $875,000 and Atishu was very similar looking,” he said. “She has developed since into a lovely looking mare. She has great conformation and a lovely temperament.”
Bosma said it would be an emotional time for her connections on the Gold Coast in May when Atishu is offered as part of trainer Chris Waller’s racing draft.
“There will be mixed emotions for sure,” he said. “She has provided us with so many thrills. It will be sad to see her leave the team, but we are also excited about what the future will hold for her and being able to see what she can produce.”
As well as boasting an outstanding race record, Atishu comes with an incredibly strong pedigree.
“Atishu is a wonderful prospect and we are honoured to have been entrusted to offer her at the National Sale,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.
“Atishu has been a star for her connections and we thank Albert and the Go Racing team for this amazing opportunity.
“Multiple Group One winner aside, Atishu represents one of New Zealand’s great families on the rise. Being out of a full-sister to the Champion 3YO in NZ, Daffodil, the depth of the family is represented through fellow NZ Champion 3YO, Aegon, and more recently New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) hero Orchestral, who looks like one of the most exciting prospects to come out of New Zealand in recent years.
“Waikato Stud also has her stakes-winning full-sister Mazzolino, so you know the family is only going to be bred up to keep appreciating over the years to come."