Milanova Brings Record Price at Inglis

(Edited press release)

The Inglis Australian Breeding Stock Sale quickly established its place within the bloodstock trade when the Southern Hemisphere record for a Thoroughbred sold at auction was obliterated by Danehill mare Milanova, who sold for Aus$5 million as part of the Tyreel Stud Reduction.

After competition from a wide ranging number of breeding operations, the mare, in foal to Encosta De Lago, was eventually purchased by Coolmore Stud.

The $5 million is a substantial leap on the previous Australian record, set at Newmarket last year when Virage De Fortune made $3.4 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale.

Coolmore Australia general manager Michael Kirwan said “blue hens” like Milanova rarely become available and indicated Haradasun was a likely companion for her this year.

“Genuine good horses like her that come on the market always attract genuine money,” Kirwan said.

“She’s got a world class pedigree and Coolmore has enjoyed a lot of success with the family, with not only Holy Roman Emperor, but Encosta De Lago, who will be Champion Sire this year.”

Milanova was one of five mares to sell for more than $1million today in an extraordinary day’s trading.

The seven figure mares were made up by Milanova and Valourina from the Tyreel Reduction and three from Sue Suduk’s Risdon Dispersal, offered by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock.

The Tyreel Reduction, offered on behalf of the late Jim Fleming, saw 12 mares sell for $10,160,000 at an average of $846,666.

“It’s pretty incredible,” said Paul Fleming, Jim Fleming's son, of the Milanova sale. “But in fairness, she was always going to top the sale – everyone was looking at her and with that kind of pedigree and with those international bloodlines, she is a very valuable commodity. This was a great way to honour dad."

Danehill mare Lucida topped the Risdon Disersal when knocked down to Freyer Bloodstock for $2million, while her dam Peruzzi sold for $1.25 million and group I winner and producer Shindig went for $1.6 million.

The 31 Risdon mares grossed $8.63 million at an average price of $278,403.

“It’s nice to see clients get good results and the good mares sold really well,” Philippa Duncan said.

“We’re delighted that Lucida is staying in Australia. She is a lovely mare, from a great family and a really nice type.”

The Select Broodmare session grossed $21.394 million at an average price of $181,304, with a strong clearance rate of 83.1%.

William Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said it was an honour to be able to sell a new Australasian record priced thoroughbred.

“We’re very grateful to have been entrusted with the sale of a mare of Milanova’s quality,” he said.

“The quality drafts of weanlings and mares supplied by vendors such as Coolmore, Tyreel and Risdon have been a great endorsement for this new sale which has been well received by both vendors and buyers.

“It’s pleasing to see that in addition to the three day Easter Broodmare sale, we can now offer clients a three day alternative later in the season to trade breeding stock before the end of the financial year.

“There was strong competition for weanlings and in addition to the record price achieved by Milanova, another four mares sold for more than $1 million, which speaks volumes for the quality of this sale,” he said.