News

Wandabaa tops August Boutique Online Sale at $800,000

17th Aug 2022

An elated Jamie Lovett “couldn’t be happier’’ with the results of today’s Inglis Digital August Boutique Sale of three Australian Bloodstock mares, which grossed $1,210,000.

The three-lot sale was topped by the G3 winner Wandabaa (Wandjina), which sold to the Tagaloa Syndicate for $800,000.

The Lucky Vega Syndicate secured the second-top lot Enchanted Heart (Shamus Award) for $295,000 while Three Bridges Thoroughbreds – on behalf of client Pete Murray - took home Lunakorn (Puissance De Lune) for $115,000.

The star of the show was always going to be Wandabaa and that’s exactly how things played out, with six different individual bidders over $500,000.

The broad attention, from some of the major investors in Australian racing and breeding, saw her price surge, to the delight of Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett, who was thrilled with the end result of not only Wandabaa but all three mares.

“We were thinking and hoping Wandabaa would reach $700,000 and from there it would just depend on how many were on her so to get to $800,000, she’s sold super well, they’ve all sold very well,’’ Lovett said.

“Everyone’s happy, Luke and I are happy, the owners are happy and I’m sure Yulong and Three Bridges are happy with their purchases.

“Between them these mares cost $183,500 (Wandabaa and Enchanted Heart were purchased for $36,000 and $80,000 respectively from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale), they won nearly $1.7m in prizemoney and have sold for $1.21m. Outstanding.’’

Lovett was especially pleased with how many prospective buyers had been in contact ahead of the sale wanting to inspect the mares.

“There were a lot of phone calls, the reach of the market and the marketing done was outstanding and certainly everybody seemed to know these mares were for sale,’’ Lovett said.

“The Inglis Digital platform was super seamless, so easy, really well received by buyers and the end result is there for all to see. You can’t ask for much more than that.’’

All three mares are bound for Victoria, with Wandabaa and Enchanted Heart set to be served by Yulong stallions Tagaloa and Lucky Vega respectively, while Lunakorn has a date with Widden’s Russian Camelot.

On Wandabaa – who may continue racing before being served later this season - Yulong’s Sam Fairgray said: “We had to pay a bit more than I thought we might have had to but with good mares like this, everybody wants to have them in their broodmare band so we’re pleased we got her.

“I think she’ll be a nice mating for Tagaloa. She’s a very consistent mare and her half sister Seewhatshebrings made $800,000 also at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale so it’s a nice family.

“She may have another run or two, I’ll talk to [trainer] Kris [Lees] about that but both she and Enchanted Heart ran so well in the Missile Stakes last week so maybe they could have another farewell run.’’

Fairgray was excited by the prospect of Enchanted Heart being served by Lucky Vega, whose first foals have hit the ground in the past few weeks.

“We’re thrilled with the first four foals Lucky Vega has thrown, he seems to have thrown a lot of quality into them, a lot of strength, good hip and shoulders and head so we think Enchanted Heart is a great match for him.’’

Three Bridges’ Toby Liston described Lunakorn’s purchaser Murray as a “breeding purist’’ who had done his homework on the purchase of Lunakorn.

“John Wheeler bought three nice mares off Inglis Digital last week to send to Russian Camelot and while Pete has a share in the stallion, he believes in the stallion and has bought a mare in Lunakorn who genetically matches to suit the stallion perfectly so hopefully he can breed a horse as good as Russian Camelot himself.’’

Today’s positive results came after a 50% share of Nudge – which was offered in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Sale – sold to Victorian nursery Two Bays Farm for $550,000.

The 6YO will head straight to the breeding barn, where she’ll be covered by Zoustar.

“She’s been a fabulous race filly and mare, she’s a quality type and she’ll produce beautiful foals,’’ Two Bays’ Ross Ferris said.

“She’s booked into Zoustar which is very exciting and I’m sure she’s going to be a quality addition to the broodmare band over many years to come.’’

Entries for the next Inglis Digital Sale – the August (Late) auction – close at midnight tonight, with the sale opening for bidding on Friday afternoon.

There are already several high-class entries confirmed for the sale including G1 Queensland Oaks victor Winning Ways, Homebird (dam of last weekend’s G3 Quezette Stakes winner Bound For Home), Windermere (multiple Stakes placed daughter of All Too Hard) and Stakes-winning mare Incredulous Dream.

To enter into the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, CLICK HERE.