TDN International

Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm became the latest American name to join the Magic Millions results sheet Wednesday when it partnered on a Denman (Aus) filly bought by Craig Rounsefell’s Boomer Bloodstock and trainer Matt Cumani for A$110,000. Stone Farm now owns a quarter of the half-sister to Group 3 winner Generalife (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}).

Rounsefell, an Australian-based agent who is perhaps best known on American shores for his purchase of Grade I winner Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}), said he came to know Hancock when living in Kentucky in 2008.

“Mr. Hancock has been a bit of a mentor to me; he’s a legend throughout the world,” he explained.

Rounsefell added the idea of Hancock racing a horse in Australia is an idea that has grown over a few years. Hancock’s daughter, Lynn, is currently working for Magic Millions at the Gold Coast sale.

“We’d spoken at times over the last few years, and he liked the idea of putting his toe in the water down here and racing a filly and seeing if he enjoys it,” he said. “American investment is coming to Australia now and to get Mr. Hancock investing in Australia is a huge thing.”

Spendthrift Farm, WinStar Farm and Speedway Stable have also been active at the sale this week, and Rounsefell predicted more Americans could be in attendance at Australia’s breeding stock sales later in the year.

“I think there’s quite a few that are talking about the broodmare sales coming up later in the year,” he said. “I think the likes of Spendthrift, Stonestreet, and SF [Bloodstock] already investing in Australia is going to pave the way for more Americans to come down. In years gone by they went overseas to restock their fillies, so I think Australia’s an interesting place for them to do that too and with the advantage with the dollar.”

The Denman filly will be among the first trainees for Matt Cumani.

“Matt Cumani is setting up his stable as of next week,” Rounsefell said. “His father, Luca, and his mother, Sara, have been working the sales as well and they loved this filly. Matt’s really excited to kick it off and get some quality stock that will hopefully run early to get him going early.”