News

Day Four Full of Grace

18th Apr 2007

Day four and there was still ‘infinite’ action at the William Inglis & Son Australian Select Broodmare Sale with a further 140 lots sold for $9,322,500 at an average of $66,589 taking the overall tally to $37,271,950 for 539 lots and an average of $69,150

Strong from start to finish, the strength of the sale was once again emphasised, highlighted by Lot 968, today’s session topper. The multiple group winning mare Infinite Grace was knocked down to Irish agent Dermot Farrington for $850,000. Closely related to dual Cox Plate hero Fields of Omagh, who himself was sold through the Inglis Premier sale ring, Infinite Grace won seven races for $785,900 in stakes and set a course record for 1600m at Caulfield. In foal to Danehill’s (USA) triple Group One winning son Oratorio (IRE), Infinite Grace was consigned by owner/breeder Martin O’Connor, via Coolmore Stud and was “very happy with the price”, stating the mare was purchased by the “best judge in the world.”

Farrington was equally ecstatic with his purchase pointing out that pedigree was the clincher. “Infinite Grace was a terrific racemare and it’s a sensational family. She’s out of the stakes placed Infinite Charm who is a half-sister to Fields of Omagh, as well as three other stakes winners; Malcolm, King Brian and Timeless Grace. She’ll be sent to Encosta de Lago this spring.”

One of the session’s early highlights was the Group One winning Saithor (USA) mare, Demerger. Sold as Lot 914, David O’Keeffe’s Lockyer Thoroughbreds purchased the chestnut mare for $725,000. Trained by leading Melbourne conditioner Danny O’Brien, Demerger won eight races and almost $1million in stakes in a career that saw her take out the Group One SAJC Adelaide Cup by an explosive seven lengths. Closely related to Group One winners Triscay, La Baraka and Defier, Demerger’s half-brother (by Dehere (USA)) was sold for $600,000 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale last Thursday.

An interesting side point notes that Demerger was sold as a 2YO at the William Inglis & Son Ready To Run Sale in 2002. Amassing over $1.5 million for connections in both her racetrack career and through today’s sale, this has resulted in an astonishing return of over 77 times her initial purchase price.

Demerger was signed for by Louis Mihalyka of Laurel Oak Syndications on behalf of Lockyer Thoroughbreds, who explained that David O’Keeffe is currently in Barbados for the World Cup Cricket and virtually rang him three minutes before Demerger was due to enter the ring. “David is a relative newcomer but is serious about his bloodstock interests and realises that to be at the top end, you have to pay good money for quality mares. Group One winners don’t come cheap but he’s delighted to get her.”

Only a few lots later Mihalyka purchased Lot 932, the Red Ransom (USA) mare Fiddly for $135,000. Consigned by Motto Farm as agent, the mare is a half-sister to multiple Group winners Piper Star and Melora.

Reavill Farm, which will put through nine mares in tomorrow’s session, took a view from the other side of the rostrum, paying $500,000 for the highly credentialed Lisheenowen (Lot 991), dam of three time Group One winner Private Steer. In foal to leading stallion Encosta de Lago, Reavill Farm manager David Bourke was rapt to be getting the “mother of an absolute champion” and said they will probably send the mare to Danehill Dancer this spring. “I reckon she’s an excellent mare and she has a nice early service to Encosta de Lago.”

William Inglis Acting Managing Director, Jamie Inglis, continued to marvel at the diversity and depth of the market: “This has been one of the strongest days so far! We’ve sold mares for $850,000, $725,000, $600,000 and $500,000 today but, realistically, there’s plenty of interest at both ends of the market. One moment you have an Irish buyer purchasing the day’s most expensive lot then a Hong Kong buyer purchasing one of the cheapest. South Africa was also active, so was New Zealand, while every state of Australia, plus the Northern Territory will take home mares after today’s session.”

The fifth and final session of the 2007 William Inglis & Son Australian Select Broodmare Sale continues at Newmarket tomorrow, commencing at 10.30am.

Tomorrow’s highlights include:

Lot 1055. Rainbow Bubbles - Listed winning, Group One placed full sister to Group One winner El Mirada. Served by Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice.

Lot 1057. Regal Cheer - Winner of six races and $877,955 in prize money highlighted by the Group One AJC Coolmore Classic. Being sold as a racing and breeding proposition.

Lot 1080. She Will Be Loved - Group Two winner of the VRC Edward Manifold Stakes, a race in which she defeated Miss Finland. Lightly raced, having had only nine starts. Being sold as a racing and breeding proposition.

Lot 1098. Striking Destiny (USA) - Winning American bred mare, dam of triple Listed winner Ulysses. In foal to Coolmore based Fusaichi Pegasus (USA).

Lot 1214. Hi Halo - Red Ransom (USA) filly from the family of Group One winners Elvstroem and the recent STC George Ryder and AJC Doncaster Hcp winner Haradasun.

Lot 1215. Hidden Strings - Group Two winner, earnings just shy of $300,000. Being sold as a racing and breeding proposition.

Lot 1217. Honest Politician - Listed winning Distorted Humour (USA) mare. Received recent update through the deeds of the stakes performed Pacino.

Lot 1234. Libidinous - Group Three winning Jugah (USA) mare, winner of over $400,000 in stakes earnings. In foal to Group One winning son of Redoute’s Choice, Undoubtedly.

Lot 1275. Quick Glance - Dam of multiple stakes winner For Valour.

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