News

Helsinge proving an Easter Broodmare jewel

15th Apr 2013

Black Caviar’s emphatic victory in the Group 1 ATC TJ Smith Stakes on Saturday, her 25th straight win, became the 18th Group 1 triumph recorded by the progeny of Easter Broodmare purchase Helsinge, which is also the dam of Australia’s record priced yearling sold last week for $5 million.

$115,000 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale purchase, Helsinge is proving to be one of the most spectacular mares in Australia’s thoroughbred racing and auction history, with her progeny realising $8.9 million as yearlings and earning $10 million on the track so far.

Helsinge was catalogued as Lot 599 at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale. An unraced three-year-old daughter of Group 2 winner Scandinavia she grabbed the attention of bloodstock agent Peter Ford, who purchased the filly on behalf of his client Rick Jamieson.

View Helsinge’s pedigree when purchased at the Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare HERE

Jamieson is an avid pedigree buff and liked Helsinge’s family, so when Ford rang him to say he liked the look of Lot 599 Jamieson was happy to add the filly to his select Gilgai Farm broodmare band for $115,000.

Sent to Bel Esprit later that year Helsinge produced a giant dark brown filly. Helsinge was sent back to Bel Esprit again and next season produced a bay or brown colt. For her third mating Jamieson chose Churchill Downs, but Helsinge missed. The following season Helsinge was mated with first season stallion Casino Prince and produced a bay colt.

The first foal was sold for $210,000 at Inglis’ Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Named Black Caviar she is the world’s highest ever rated sprinter. The winner of 25 races from 25 starts, including an Australian record 15 Group 1’s, Black Caviar has racetrack earnings of $7,953,936.

The second foal was sold for $80,000 at Inglis’ Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Named Moshe he won three of his five starts as a three-year-old between November and April. Retired to stud last season Moshe was one of Australia’s top ten most popular stallions covering 175 mares at a service fee of $6,600.

Helsinge’s third foal topped the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when selling for $1,025,000. Named All Too Hard he was a Group 2 winning juvenile that has progressed into the world’s top rated three-year-old miler on turf. He was acquired for a reported $20 million by Vinery Stud, which have Royal Ascot ambitions for the now a three-time Group 1 winner and $2,043,200 earner.

Helsinge’s next two foals, a filly and then colt by Redoute’s Choice, have also topped the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The filly, now named Belle Couture, realised $2.6 million last year while the colt set a new Australian record when he was sold for $5 million last week. Both were purchased by BC3 Thoroughbreds.

Jamieson has Helsinge back at Gilgai Farm with a sister to Black Caviar at foot and in foal to Casino Prince.

“Helsinge is one the great bloodstock stories from around the world and she was purchased right here at the Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale,” says Inglis Bloodstock Director Jonathan D’Arcy.

“There is always something for every breeder at the Easter Broodmare Sale, from fillies off the track to proven producers and tax-mares.

“Helsinge was purchased straight off the track at the sale, as was Group 1 winner River Dove, the dam of last week’s $4 million Fastnet Rock yearling colt. While So You Think’s dam Triassic was purchased as an older mare for just $16,000 at the Easter Broodmare Sale.

“Our team have compiled another Easter Broodmare catalogue with plenty to offer buyers looking to bred to race or sell in the Classic, Premier or Easter Yearling Sales,” D’Arcy said.

The 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale begins at 10:30am on Tuesday 16 April with the Super Select Session.

Wednesday’s Select Session will get underway at 10:30am and Thursday’s offerings of the remaining Select Session mares and then General Session entries will also begin at 10:30am.

The catalogue is available online at www.inglis.com.au and on the Inglis Sales iPad App.

The sale will be broadcast on InglisTV, with Online Bidding and Make-An-Offer available for those buyers unable to attend the Newmarket.