Lot 206 Pinatubo (IRE) - Darook Park (AUS) Bay or Brown Colt

Lot 206 bay or brown colt Pinatubo – Darook Park (Darci Brahma) $120,000 (draft: Hidden Valley Thoroughbreds). 

 Continuing a strong opening to the sale, Te Akau was thrilled to secure outstanding value with Lot 206, adding another colt of international pedigree and proven depth to the 2026 Magic Millions team.

The colt is by exceptional juvenile and Darley stallion Pinatubo (Shamardal), who shuttles between Darley UK and Darley Australia.

He was unbeaten in six starts as a two-year-old, including Group One wins in the National Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and stallion-making Dewhurst Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), won by Zafonic (the sire of Iffraaj), Rock of Gibraltar, Shamardal, Frankel, and U S Navy Flag, etc.

Commencing stallion duties in 2021, Pinatubo was named Timeform Leading First Season Sire in Europe, and with his oldest crop three-year-olds has sired 72 winners of 117 races including five individual stakes winners.

He had a colt sell for $600,000 earlier in the sale, after having had a colt sell for $700,000 at the corresponding Magic Millions Sale in 2025.

Pinatubo is by European Champion Two-Year-Old and highly influential sire, sire of sires, and broodmare sire Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway), the damsire of Te Akau Champion Sprinter and Horse of the Year Imperatriz.

Dam Darook Park has proven herself as a broodmare with three individual winners of seven races, including dual Group Three winning sprinter Finance Tycoon (Written Tycoon).

The dam sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) is extremely well known to Te Akau, having been purchased as a yearling by David Ellis at Karaka, and trained by Mark Walker to win five Group One races, before becoming a Champion Sire.

Dam Darook Park is a half-sister to impressive winning two-year-old filly Silk Pins (Pins), who finished second in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Second Top Filly on the NZ Free Handicaps.

In addition to Silk Pins, second dam Silk Ending (End Sweep) produced five other winners of 14 races.

“It’s a really talented and versatile family, which we know very well, having bought progeny out of Silk Pins previously at Karaka,” said David Ellis. “Silk Pins actually won on debut as a two-year-old when beating our Champion Two-Year-Old Warhorse (General Nediym), so that showed what a good filly she was and we kept an eye on her from then on.

“With the dam (Darook Park) of this colt a half-sister to Silk Pins, we know the class in the dam line, and that’s a huge help.

“Plus, Darook Plus is by Darci Brahma, just a terrific colt and sire, which in many ways put Te Akau right on the map, so his influence in the pedigree is huge, too.

“He has the makings of a two-year-old, but also a colt that we think will train on as a three and four-year-old.

“Trainers in Australia that have progeny of the sire Pinatubo hold them in really high regard, so it’s exciting to purchase one of his colts.

“This colt is really athletic, has been beautifully prepared, and has a lot going for him.”

The colt has a bloodline cross to Champion Sire and sire of sires Mr. Prospector, one of the most influential sires in thoroughbred history.

SHARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE:

* 2.5% – NZD$3,975
* 5% – NZD$7,950
* 7.5% – NZD$11,925
* 10% – NZD$15,900
* 20% – NZD$31,800

PLEASE NOTE:

Share price includes pedigree research/analysis & sale expenses at cost, as well as full pre purchase veterinary inspection & x-ray examination. Your share of post-sale transport, Magic Millions' Series and Pearl Bonus Series (fillies only) entry, insurance, post-sale shoe removal & drench additional - as are breaking in and training costs to date of purchase. Ongoing costs per month approx. $600 +GST per 10% share. Full disclosure document available on request. Note - share prices stated are NZD and GST exclusive.