(Edited Magic Millions press release)
New Zealand champion Princess Coup brought a Magic Millions record price of Aust$3 million (approximately $2,453,346 in U.S. funds) June 4 during the opening session of the national broodmare sale on Australia’s Gold Coast. New South Wales bloodstock agent Tony Bott was the buyer, outlasting a New Zealand-based group.
"She went for more than I thought," Bott said. "I thought we might be able to get her for Aust$2 million to Aust$2.5 million. But mares like her only come up ever couple of years and we were keen to buy her.”
A 6-year-old daughter of Encosta de Lago out of the Sovereign Red mare Stoney Fell Road, Princess Coup was New Zealand’s champion 3-year-old filly in 2007, and she was the champion older mare and stayer in 2008.
"She was a champion racehorse and she is a smashing individual,” Bott said. “She will make a great broodmare. Whether she is a value buy, I guess time will tell.”
According to Bott, no decision had been made about which stallion would cover Princess Coup this season.
"That will be a decision for my client, but, obviously, stallions like Redoute's Choice and More Than Ready could be options," Bott said.
Willow Park Stud, agent, consigned Princess Coup, who was among the 168 horses that were sold during the first session for a gross of Aust$10,250,500 ($8,382,674). The average price was Aust$61,015 ($49,897). Fifty of the 218 horses offered failed to find new homes.
