An unserved mare and an ageing dam of a bona fide champion highlighted day four of the Inglis Australian broodmare sale in Sydney, Australia Thursday.
A total of 140 hips sold for Aus$9,322,500, an average of Aus$66,589, taking the overall tally to a staggering record high of Aus$37,271,950 for 539 hips and an average of Aus$69,150.
The multiple group winning mare Infinite Grace (Prince Of Birds--Infinite Charm by Tristino) was knocked down to Irish agent Dermot Farrington, who had come for the Easter yearling sale two weeks ago and stayed specifically to buy this mare. He won the bidding at $850,000. Closely related to dual Cox Plate (Aust-I) hero Fields of Omagh, who himself was sold through the Inglis premier sale ring, Infinite Grace won seven races for $785,900 in stakes and set a course record for 1,600 meters at Caulfield. In foal to Danehill’s triple group I winning son Oratorio, Infinite Grace was consigned by owner/breeder Martin O’Connor, via Coolmore Stud, and was “very happy with the price,” stating the mare was purchased by one of the “best judges in the world.”
Farrington was equally ecstatic with his purchase, pointing out that pedigree was the clincher. “Infinite Grace was a terrific racemare and it’s a sensational family. She’s out of stakes-placed Infinite Charm, who is a half-sister to Fields of Omagh, as well as three other stakes winners; Malcolm, King Brian, and Timeless Grace. She’ll be sent to Encosta de Lago this spring.”
One of the session’s early highlights was the group I winning Saithor mare Demerger. David O’Keeffe’s Lockyer Thoroughbreds purchased the chestnut mare for $725,000. Trained by leading Melbourne conditioner Danny O’Brien, Demerger won eight races and almost Aus$1million in stakes in a career which netted the group I SAJC Adelaide Cup by an explosive seven lengths. Closely related to group I winners Triscay, La Baraka, and Defier, Demerger’s half-brother (by Dehere) was sold for $600,000 at the Australian Easter yearling sale last Thursday.
Demerger was signed for by Louis Mihalyka of Laurel Oak Syndications on behalf of Lockyer Thoroughbreds, who explained that David O’Keeffe is currently in Barbados for the World Cup Cricket and rang him three minutes before Demerger was due to enter the ring. “David is a relative newcomer but is serious about his bloodstock interests and realises that to be at the top end, you have to pay good money for quality mares. Group I winners don’t come cheap but he’s delighted to get her.”
Only a few lots later, Mihalyka purchased the Red Ransom mare Fiddly for $135,000. Consigned by Motto Farm as agent, the mare is a half-sister to multiple group winners Piper Star and Melora.
Curraghmore Stud in New Zealand, which often consigns yearlings for sale in New Zealand on behalf of Coolmore, went to $600,000 for the young mare Hides (Giant's Causeway --Subterfuge by Machiavellian) which was presented for sale by Coolmore as agent.
She’s an unraced half-sister to group I winner Scintillation and multiple group II winner Shania Dane.
Reavill Farm, which will put through nine mares in tomorrow’s session, took a view from the other side of the rostrum, paying $500,000 for the highly credentialed Lisheenowen, dam of three time group I winner Private Steer (by Danehill Dancer). In foal to leading stallion Encosta de Lago, Reavill Farm manager David Bourke was rapt to be getting the “mother of an absolute champion” and said they will probably send the mare to Danehill Dancer this spring. “I reckon she’s an excellent mare and she has a nice early service to Encosta de Lago.”
William Inglis Acting Managing Director, Jamie Inglis, continued to marvel at the diversity and depth of the market: “This has been one of the strongest days so far. We’ve sold mares for $850,000, $725,000, $600,000 and $500,000 today but, realistically, there’s plenty of interest at both ends of the market. One moment you have an Irish buyer purchasing the day’s most expensive lot then a Hong Kong buyer purchasing one of the cheapest. South Africa was also active, so was New Zealand, while every state of Australia, plus the Northern Territory will take home mares after today’s session.”