Bel Mer, a group I winner in Australia, and Sun Classique, a champion and group I winner in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, were the stars of the show April 15 on the third day of the William Inglis & Son Easter broodmare sale in Australia.
Bel Mer, who is in foal to More Than Ready , brought Aust$1,050,000 ($980,053 in U.S. funds) from Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm. Then, after the selling session was over, Patinack purchased Sun Classique privately for Aust$2 million ($1,866,770). Sun Classique had been bought back for Aust$1,950,000 ($1,820,000) earlier when she passed through the sale ring.
“She commanded so much presence and it was a privilege to watch her parade today,” said Inglis managing director Mark Webster of Sun Classique. “We’re very pleased that a deal has been done this evening and she has commanded a price that a mare of her standing fully deserves.”
Consigned by Widden Stud, agent, and cataloged as being in foal to Oasis Dream, Sun Classique (Fuji Kiseki – Elfenjer, by Last Tycoon) captured the Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) in 2006 and the Woolavington 2200 (SAF-I) and Fancourt Majorca Stakes (SAF-I) in 2007, when she was a champion. The 7-year-old chestnut mare also scored in the 2008 Dubai Sheema Classic Sponsored by Nakheel (UAE-I) and was a champion that year in the United Arab Emirates.
Bel Mer (Bel Esprit – Drop Anchor, by At Talaq), who was consigned by Vinery Stud, won the 2009 Robert Sangster Stakes (Aust-I). The bay mare is a 6-year-old.
The 121 horses that sold on the auction’s third day grossed Aust$9,164,000 ($8,553,530) and averaged Aust$75,736 ($70,691). The median price was Aust$28,000 ($26,135), and the buy-back rate was 32.4%.
Inglis also reported that two supplementary entries sold for a gross of $950,000 ($886,715).
