News

Kimochi wins Light Fingers, eyes G1 glory ahead of Chairman's Sale

17th Feb 2024

Momentum for this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale reached new heights at Randwick today when star 3YO filly Kimochi (Brave Smash) – who will be offered at the sale at Riverside in May – scored a scintillating win in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes.

Kimochi is one of the most talented, and consistent, horses in racing.

Prior to today she had raced nine times for nine top-three finishes, including two second placings at G1 level and a further five placings at Stakes level.

So nobody could begrudge her of today’s maiden black type victory, which saw her defeat many of the best 3YO fillies in Australia including the likes of Learning To Fly, Tiz Invincible, Mumbai Muse, Autumn Ballet, Arctic Glamour etc.

Kimochi has now raced 10 times for two wins and eight placings for $900,000 in earnings.

The Aquis Farm-bred and Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi led in an Inglis graduates trifecta in the Light Fingers, defeating Learning To Fly and Kristilli.

Hall Of Fame Bloodstock’s Mr Leo To purchased Kimochi (pictured) for just $21,000 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, where she was offered by Valiant Stud.

Mr To is set for a deserving pay day when he offers the outstanding filly for sale as a racing and breeding prospect at The Chairman’s Sale at Riverside on the evening of Thursday May 9.

“The decision to sell her was one we made just after the Spring when she was at the top of her game because I wanted to let the marketplace know what my intentions were early, I didn’t want people to think we were selling her because she was going poorly or anything like that,’’ Mr To said.

“I wanted to come out early and announce it and what today showed again is that she is an elite filly because those other horses in that race today were the best 3YO fillies around and I have the utmost respect for all of them but my filly proved too strong and showed she is in for a big Autumn Carnival ahead of the Chairman’s Sale.

“That was a very good field today so she’ll come back in two weeks for the Surround Stakes at Group 1 level and race most of them again and hopefully she can win that and more Group 1s before the Chairman’s Sale.

“I went with the Chairman’s Sale because I think it’s a fantastic sale and I really like the Inglis team, they did a wonderful job sourcing the filly for the sale and the promotion has already been very good.

“I will still sell her, I will stick to the plan, somebody is going to get very lucky when they buy her.’’

Kimochi is among the early standout entries for the Chairman’s Sale, along with the likes of dual G1 winner She’s Extreme, G1 Tatt’s Tiara winner Startantes, dual Group winner and G1 placed Frankel mare Steinem, Melbourne Cup placegetter High Emocean and others.

Places in the Inglis Chairman’s Sale are strictly limited.

To enquire about entering a race filly or broodmare into the 2024 Chairman’s Sale, contact a member of the Inglis bloodstock team or to enter, CLICK HERE.

Kimochi’s Russian Revolution half brother (ex Summer Fun) is being offered by Kia Ora Stud as lot 327 at this year’s Easter Yearling Sale at Riverside on April 7 and 8.

To view the Easter catalogue CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile earlier at Randwick the exciting 2YO colt Switzerland (Snitzel) firmed into a $6 second-favourite with Ladbrokes for the G1 Golden Slipper following a strong win in the Pierro Plate.

The win was the second from two starts for Switzerland and came over fellow Slipper contender and previously undefeated colt Shangri La Express.

The Chris Waller-trained colt is a $1.5m Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Coolmore’s Tom Magnier from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, who bred Switzerland with Cloros Bloodstock.

Arrowfield will also offer Switzerland’s brother (ex Ms Bad Behavior) at this year’s Easter Sale as lot 170.

“He was a beautiful colt at Easter, very popular, was never really in his box and sold accordingly,’’ Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer said.

“He always had the best temperament and you could see today before the race he is such a cool, calm customer and that is such a pivotal trait for a 2YO to possess.

“His brother coming to Easter in a couple of months, he’s just a beautiful colt, people will see for themselves when they inspect him what a stunning specimen he is. Bring on Easter!’’