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Tricolours Racing syndicate principal, James Moss was ecstatic when his mare Fasika rose to become the second-highest lot in Inglis' digital history.
The multiple Group-winning sprinter was knocked down to Suman Hedge Bloodstock for AU$920,000 in the Inglis August (Late) Auction. The daughter of So You Think, consigned as Lot 101, will visit Written Tycoon this breeding season.
After 20 years in the finance industry, where Moss was a director for Citigroup Global Equity Markets Australia, he decided to pursue his true passion, horse racing.
In an exclusive interview with The Impact, James Moss chats to The Impact about his mare and his favorite race days with her, as well as his sales journey with Inglis which ended up being a huge celebration and shares his best purchases of 2021.
Q: Please tell us about your history with Fasika?
A: I purchased Fasika as a yearling at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for A$120,000.
Q: Please tell us about Fasika's ownership Group?
A: There were 29 individual shareholders with an interest in Fasika, from all walks of life.
Q: Which of her race wins was your favourite and why?
A: For her third career start we sent her to Randwick to race in the Listed South Pacific. She had won her first few starts impressively, so we threw her in the deep end against a very strong field. She drew wide, did all the work, and held on for a very impressive win to stamp herself as a serious racehorse of the future.
Q: What did you like about her sire So You Think and what qualities has he passed on to his daughter?
A: I loved So You Think as a racehorse. He was a true champion who always gave his best. He managed to pass on his looks to Fasika. She looks just like him. He also passed on his tenacity as well. Both Fasika and So You Think were true warriors on the racetrack.
Q: With lockdowns around Australia, many buyers were not able to sight the horse before the purchase. Yet the purchase was a sale topper and almost touched the A$1 million mark. Did Suman or one of his colleagues inspect Fasika? Please tell us more about the purchase process.
A: No, they didn't inspect the horse, but the industry has learnt to heavily rely on technology to get around restrictions. Professional videos are so good these days and are almost as good as inspecting a horse live. They are heavily relied on for all inspections processes, whether it be yearlings or race mares, so we had full confidence that the videos would be enough to give the market confidence in buying her.
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Q: Did you expect the sale to get so exciting and for the price to go up so high?
A: We certainly expected her to be a very commercial mare. We didn't have any price expectations, but the idea of selling her online was to let the market tell us what she was worth.
Q: Please tell us about your favourite purchase this year. Also please tell us about your favourite stallion, racehorse and racecourse. And why are they your favourites?
A: I have purchased some outstanding yearlings in 2021. We were lucky enough to purchase a filly by Star Witness out of Mihiri. She is a half-sister to Wellington in HK, who has won a Gr. 1 since we purchased her, so it's a massive pedigree update for our filly.
Mr favourite stallion would have to be Sacred Falls. Such a huge loss to the industry with his passing, he could have been an absolute champion if still with us. A favourite racehorse is a horse of mine called Ballistic Lover. She has won 6 of her last 9 races, including 2 stakes races, and her next start will be in the Gr. 1 Moir. My favourite racecourse is Royal Randwick, as I went there a lot with my father when I was a child.
Q: Who has been the greatest influence on your life? And why?
A: My father, who passed away in 2004.
Q: What would you like to see the change in the industry?
A: I would like to see the prizemoney distributed more evenly. It feels a little "top-heavy" at the moment, and I would love to see that evened out.
Q: What book are you currently reading? And what movie have you enjoyed watching recently?
A: I'm currently reading "Bart, my life", Bart Cummings' story. I've read it before, but I really enjoy it.
In terms of movies, I get very little say in my house on movie nights as we have three children in lockdown. But we have just finished watching the old Twilight series. Honestly, I didn't mind it!