12th Jul 2023
Another Award (Shamus Award) has become the most expensive horse to be sold on Inglis Digital so far this year – and the fourth highest in history – in topping the Inglis Digital July (Early) catalogue at $1.2 million.
A G1 runner-up at her last two starts – the Goodwood Handicap and Robert Sangster Stakes – Another Award was purchased by Yulong Stud, having been offered online by Willow Grove Stud’s Ralph Satchell and the large ownership group.
“They’re all very excited,” Satchell said.
“We thought she was a seven-figure mare and it’s wonderful to sell a mare out of South Australia, with local form in our premier G1 races, for this sort of money.
“There’s probably 30 plus people involved in the ownership group overall, including the Beers and Skittles syndicate headed by Terry and Christine McAuliffe, David Rasheed and his partners, plus myself, wife and son.
“There’s a few first time owners involved and I’m sure there will be plenty of reinvestment to the Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas stable, hopefully with the Willow Grove brand on it in the future.
“It’s a wonderful way for us to finish the journey as breeders, we stay in a lot of our yearlings and we’ve all had a fun ride this season with Another Award and now we’ve had a great result selling her on Inglis Digital.
“I would have to thank the Inglis team for their professionalism throughout the process and the way they marketed her and helping us achieve that result,” Satchell said.
Yulong Stud’s Sam Fairgray confirmed Another Award would be retired to stud immediately and be covered by Written Tycoon this season.
“This is what the Inglis Digital platform allows, owners are able to offer their product at any time of the year and it’s the same for buyers who may decide to add another mare to their broodmare band, they can acquire some really nice ones from the platform,” Fairgray said.
“That’s what we did today, purchasing three mares including Another Award and Majestic Shot ($220,000), who are both fast mares that will physically suit Written Tycoon.
“Inglis Digital allows you to participate from anywhere in the world, which is great for someone like Mr Zhang, who can look at pedigrees, photos and videos and then be active, or offer stock to a wide net of potential buyers as a vendor,” Fairgray added.
Ralph Satchell touched on the investment Yulong’s Mr Zhang is making in the Australian racing and breeding industry, noting that it was significant for South Australia.
“It’s just fantastic for our entire industry, no doubt about it,” Satchell said.
“I sincerely wish the Yulong team all the best with Another Award, I’m sure Mr Zhang will flourish with the incredible band of mares he’s putting together, the Yulong stallions are going to have every opportunity.
“It’s wonderful to have them in Victoria, as a South Australian, we want Victoria to flourish and with other investment in the state the future looks very bright.”
The second-top lot was the Yarraman Park Stud-consigned She’s All Class (I Am Invincible), with Matt Scown Bloodstock securing the multiple Stakes winning mare on behalf of Brae Sokolski of Yes Bloodstock.
“We didn’t expect to be able to buy She’s All Class, but we were rapt to get her,” Scown said.
“These are syndicate owned horses and after their racing careers wind down, they go to public auction unreserved.
“We think we’ve bought really well, now we just have to discuss a suitable stallion for the mare.”
The Irish-bred mare Upside (Muhaarar) – offered by Cornerstone Stud in foal to Shamus Award – rounded out the top three, secured by breeder Sean Duke for $455,000 after a protracted bidding duel.
“I was drawn to this mare when I first saw her online, noting that she has produced the top priced weanling this season ($925,000 Frankel colt) and being in foal to Shamus Award, a young stallion with terrific statistics,” Duke said.
“I felt this mare had been given every opportunity to succeed at stud with her first two foals, plus it’s that wonderful Fall Aspen family.
“I’ve already got a stallion in mind, but I’ll let the dust settle before making a final decision.
“I absolutely love the service on Inglis Digital, whether a vendor or buyer,” Duke enthused.
In another spectacular result, a filly by Wootton Bassett became not only the highest priced weanling by her sire this year but also the most expensive weanling in Inglis Digital’s history, purchased by JB Bloodstock for $265,000.
Out of the mare Elegant d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro), the filly was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds and surpassed the previous benchmark by $105,000.
“It was a late decision to sell her online but on the back of what Wootton Bassett achieved at Royal Ascot and with a A$2.8m yearling colt at the JRHA Select Sale this week, timing wise this was the perfect storm,” Mike Fleming of Bhima Thoroughbreds said.
“We all need a bit of luck in this game and a quality filly by a sire going places, offered online at exactly the right time just worked out perfectly.
“We were also very happy with the result of Dark Heather (Cape Blanco), she’s in foal to Wootton Bassett and made $160,000 To Vieira Group.”
Other standout results in the July (Early) sale include:
*The 26-strong Godolphin draft grossed $971,800 with 123 individual bidders across all lots, Josiah Ma (HK) bought the top lot Tradition (Frankel) for $155,000
*The Contract/Hestket draft of 38 breeding and racing stock grossed $695,300, led by Pierro filly Emilia Romagna purchased by Vieira Group for $155,000
The Inglis Digital July (Early) sale grossed just over $7 million, with a clearance of over 70%.
“Having performed at the top level on multiple occasions, Another Award has been a huge ride for a large syndicate and it was just satisfying to be apart of their final big result,” Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth said.
“It’s also a great example of a Chairman’s quality mare, progressing through a winter carnival campaign and doubling her value with timely G1 performances, with connections then reaping the benefits on Inglis Digital in July.
“We’re very grateful to the vendors and buyers for their ongoing support of Inglis Digital.
“The platform continues to go from strength to strength and we are excited by what it can continue to achieve into the future,” Melmeth said.
There are still plenty of opportunities to secure top-class race fillies and mares on Inglis Digital, ahead of the breeding season.
Miss Roseiano is one such filly, with the G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner set to be offered as a racing and breeding prospect in a standalone Inglis Digital sale next week.
Only the second Group-winning 2YO filly by Exceed and Excel to be offered for public auction off the track in Australia, Miss Roseiano is from the outstanding Eight Carat family and is available for inspection in the Hunter Valley by appointment.
The sale will be live on inglisdigital.com from 3pm this Friday, July 14.
Bidding will open at 9am on Monday July 17, with the final countdown of bidding to begin from 4pm Tuesday July 18.
To view her parade video, CLICK HERE.
To view the Miss Roseiano Feature, CLICK HERE.
For more information, please contact a member of the Inglis Bloodstock Team.
Entries are also open for the Inglis Digital July (Early) Sale, which will run from July 21-26.
Entries close at midnight on Wednesday, July 19.
To enter, CLICK HERE.
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