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Maluka Thoroughbreds, a specialist sales preparation farm focused on developing young stock have an enviable record. The Kilmore-based farm is operated by Luke and Mags Anderson. The Andersons have learned their craft from their renowned masters at Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud and Graeme Rogerson’s Dormello Stud in New Zealand and today their graduates include Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner Seabrook and the Group One Black Caviar Lightning Stakes’ winner Gytrash.
The Impact speaks to Maluka Thoroughbreds’ co-owner Luke Anderson about their successes at the Melbourne Gold Sale and much more
Q: You were one of the top vendors at the Melbourne Gold Sale. Were you expecting to get the prices your secured? What was your main concern going into this sale? What was your experience like with digital sales programs this year?
A: I was pleasantly surprised by the interest in the delayed Inglis Digital sale. There was a decent amount of on-farm inspections and a lot of interest via the phone. Our biggest concern going into the sale was the uncertainty of demand for yearlings that were unbroken and almost 2YO. It was the first time we have sold a major draft through the digital platform and we were pleased with the results. Under the circumstances, I thought Inglis Digital has done an amazing job in delivering an efficient online service.
Q: What has been the most successful horse you've sold at this sale earlier?
A: Maluka has sold 5 crops of racing age, including (possible The Everest Cup contender) Gytrash and Seabrook, both Group One winner from the same draft. Overall the Maluka Yearling Academy has produced eight individual stakes winners and four stakes-placed horses.
Q: Which was the most expensive horse you sold this year?
A: This year the Maluka Yearling Academy sold at Inglis Premier exclusively and included an All Too Hard colt bought by Hawkes racing for A$240,000 and a Territories filly went to Ciaron Maher for A$210,000.
Q: What are the top weanlings you have on-ground this year for the 2021 yearling sales?
A: We are really happy with the draft we are assembling, heading towards 2021 yearling sales. We focus on athletes and want the horses we raise to be elite racehorses. We pride ourselves on the race record of our graduates and look forward to providing buyers with more opportunities next year. Now more than ever, race records of horses produced through the Maluka Yearling Academy, will give confidence to future buyers of our product.
Q: Typically how many horses do you sell in a year?
A: Maluka sells around 25 yearlings a year and exclusively through Inglis in our backyard in Melbourne.
Q: What is on your bucket list for Maluka Thoroughbreds over the next couple of years?
A: Maluka want to continue to provide top-quality racehorses, on the bucket list would be to sell a Derby winner. We have sold a 2YO Group one winner, a 1000M VRC Group One Lightning winner so to have a distance classic stayer group one winner would be fulfilling.
Q: And finally, who do you most admire as a trainer and why? And which is your favorite horse of all time?
A: I can’t split the top trainers. I understand what a hard job it is to not only keep a horse together but to have a successful racing career. I admire too many to mention.
My favourite horse, however, would have to be Dane Ripper - she was my first true love (sorry Mags). I admired her turn of foot to win a Manikato Stakes, Stradbroke Handicap over the short course, and then also win an Australian Cup and Cox Plate over a mile and a quarter.