SAHorseracing.com
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Coolmore Pursues Magic Millions Winner Storm Boy in Record-Breaking Deal

In a potentially historic move, Coolmore is on the brink of securing the highly promising two-year-old, Storm Boy, in a deal that could surpass a staggering $50 million. If finalized, this would mark the colt as the most expensive racehorse ever sold in Australia.

Several stud farms are vying to acquire a share in the undefeated Storm Boy, with ongoing negotiations as of late Tuesday. The deal is expected to be confirmed within the next 48 hours, contingent on a veterinary examination.

The winning bid is anticipated to be a minimum of $15 million for a majority share in Storm Boy, currently a frontrunner for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on March 23. An additional $25 million would be triggered if Storm Boy clinches victory in the Golden Slipper, payable to the colt's existing ownership group.

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are strategically guiding Storm Boy through the Sydney juvenile triple crown, encompassing the Golden Slipper, ATC Sires Produce Stakes, and Champagne Stakes. A clean sweep of these three races would warrant an extra payment exceeding $10 million.

Should Storm Boy achieve the coveted triple crown, he would surpass the price tags of Golden Slipper winners Vancouver (2015) and Pierro (2012), previously rumored to have been sold for around $40 million.

Bred by Coolmore, Storm Boy, a progeny of the renowned sire Justify and the Fastnet Rock mare Pelican, was originally sold at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $460,000. Unblemished in three starts, including a commanding victory at the recent Magic Millions, Storm Boy stands as the dominant $3 favorite with TAB Fixed Odds for the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m).

Trainer Adrian Bott envisions Storm Boy following the successful trajectory of Gai Waterhouse's former champion two-year-old Dance Hero, aiming for the Golden Slipper-ATC Sires Produce Stakes-Champagne Stakes treble in 2004.

"We're yet to set a race for Storm Boy, but he's likely just to have the one run into the Slipper and then through to the Triple Crown," Bott stated. "The most likely race for Storm Boy is the Skyline (Stakes), three weeks into the Golden Slipper, a bit like his Magic Millions lead-up. It's the Dance Hero program. Gai went back to the last time we did this and had a look. The dates might be a bit different, but it works out well."

Magic Millions image extraction 

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