Moody and Dalziel’s Joyous play sets new mark for Tagaloa

Peter Moody and Wylie Dalziel combined to smash the record price for a yearling by Tagaloa, paying $625,000 for a filly out of eight-time Group 1 winner More Joyous at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.

Across his three yearling crops to date, the highest price for a Tagaloa yearling had been $270,000 but Moody and syndicator Dalziel, who have enjoyed a highly successful association for many years, were determined to secure the filly.

“I thought we had her at $575,000 but we got there and were prepared to go a touch more if needed,” Dalziel said.

“Peter Moody and I try and identify nice fillies for our client base. This was probably his favourite on the ground.”

More Joyous, a champion mare who won 21 races and over $4.5 million in prize money, has had six foals to race for five winners, including the stakes-placed Joyous Legend.

“We know she’s had a few goes here (looking at page) but we think this is the best mating. A young stallion and a Blue Diamond winner, she’ll always have that page,” Dalziel said.

“She has great residual which is what you want. She reminds us a bit of Autumn Angel. Beautiful family and had the backing of really good clients.”

Tagaloa’s oldest crop is now three and includes Group-winning fillies Salty Pearl and Spicy Lu.

“Tagaloa has been getting them early, so there’s a possibility she could get there early but she’s definitely a scopey type of filly … to go further,” Dalziel said.