By Ric ChapmanAs a juvenile, the lowly bred Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee-Protective) dominated her age group in Australia, winning two group Ievents and being ever so narrowly beaten in a photo in the AUD$3million (U.S.$2,063,000) Golden Slipper Stakes (Aus-I).
On Wednesday, she was sold at public auction for an Australian record price as Day Three of the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Thoroughbred sale concluded.
In fact, the record breaking form of the Magic Millions National Sale popped up twice as the previous record price for a mare was broken
first by two-time group I winner Pace Invader (Our Westminster-Grey Invader), then by Victory Vein. The previous record price was initially broken when Deborah Ho of Macau paid AUD$775,000 (U.S.$533,000) for Pace Invader, who is heavily in foal to former global champion Rock Of Gibraltar. She is already the proud mother of a Carnegie weanling. Moments later, even before the buzz had subsided, Victory Vein was knocked down to John Singletonês Strawberry Hill Stud for a new benchmark of AUD$810,000 (U.S.$557,000).The winner of 12 races and AUD$1,956,015 (U.S.$1,345,000) in stakes, Victory Vein by reverse shuttler Mr Henrysee (Mr. Prospector-Cinegita) was not in foal, having retired from the racetrack just 14 days ago.Next highest to be sold was the aptly named Professionelle (Centaine-Star Of The Knight), who fetched AUD$525,000 (U.S.$361,000). She is the dam of two very smart Australian racehorses in King Of Prussia (by Anabaa), who was a juvenile stakes winner and who is now at stud, and also the ultra consistent Sportsman (Supremo) who has won nearly AUD$700,000 (U.S.$481,700) in stakes. Professionelle has a Danzero weanling at foot and is in foal to Coolmoreês Danehill Dancer.Burning Embers (Zoffany-Blazing Bags) was a multiple group winner in Australia in her day and was in foal to Australiaês most expensive stallion Encosta de Lago when she entered the ring. She was the fourth highest mare sold today when purchased by Mark Pilkington for AUD$500,000 (U.S.$343,700) which is probably a fair price for her as she is 11 years old now.Fifth highest of the 194 Lots sold was the Zabeel-Scarlet Robin mare named Lady Viola. She too was in foal to Encosta de Lago and she fell to the bid of a Magic Millions agent for $380,000. Her family traces back to Melbourne Cup winner Gurners Lane.The session grossed an impressive AUD$10,260,200 (U.S.$7,053,581) and averaged some AUD$52,888 (U.S.$36,300). A total of 194 mares were sold at a clearance rate of over 94%."It's been an outstanding day of selling," Magic Millions managing director David Chester said. "We're over the moon with the way today's sale went. The quality mares were hot property and made high prices accordingly."
