Australia, 5 June 2009

Darley go to $500,000 for Bel Esprit mare

The team from Darley Australia struck on the second day of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast on Friday with three purchases including the day's biggest.

John Sunderland signed for Belcentra, a stakes winning Bel Esprit mare in foal to Exceed and Excel, for $500,000.

Offered by Segenhoe Stud, the mare proved popular with buyers who fought hard to secure the top prospect of today's session.

Darley also signed for Only She Can (in foal to Exceed and Excel) for $390,000 and Heat of the Fire (in foal to Flying Spur) for $260,000.

"We bought three mares today that all filled the same bracket," Darley boss Henry Plumptre said. "They are young stakes performed mares with good conformation and in foal to good proven stallions. All of the mares had good, solid families under them."

Half sister to War Artist fetches $420,000

Rothwell Park's Scott Irwin went to $420,000 to secure the Orientate mare Sashenka at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast on Friday.

Despite spirited bidding from around the ring, Irwin was able to snap up Sashenka. "She has a lot going for her," Irwin reported. "She is a cracking individual and has an international pedigree. And she can go to virtually any stallion in the country. At this stage Exceed and Excel is on top of the list."

Presented at the auction by Tipuana Park, as agent, Sashenka made the second highest price during today's session.

A half sister to international sprint star War Artist, himself a graduate of the same Magic Millions ring, Sashenka proved her class as one of Queensland's most consistent mares.

A dual winner at two and placegetter in the Group One AJC Sires' Produce Stakes in Sydney, Sashenka was one of the star juveniles of her season. She was also placed in a McDougall Stakes and Tommy Smith Slipper.

Her dam, the city performed mare Royal Solitaire, is a half sister to the stakes winner Calming.

Select sale statistics

Lots Sold: 346
Sale Aggregate: $19,442,000
Average Price: $56,191
Top Price: $3,000,000
Lots Withdrawn: 109
Lots Passed: 101
Lots Catalogued: 556
Sold %: 77.4

Top lots, session two

$500,000 - Belcentra (served by Exceed and Excel)
Vendor: Segenhoe Stud (As Agent) / Buyer: Darley Australia (NSW)

$420,000 - Sashenka (has not been to stud)
Tipuana Park (As Agent) / Rothwell Park (NSW)

$410,000 - Espurante (has not been to stud)
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Blandford Lodge (NZ)

$390,000 - Only She Can (served by Exceed and Excel)
Glastonbury Farms (As Agent) / Darley Australia (NSW)

$370,000 - Tully Thunder (served by Flying Spur)
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Steve Brem (NSW)

$320,000 - She's Meaner (has not been to stud)
Glenlogan Park (As Agent for Blue Sky T'breds) / Magic Millions as agent (Qld)

$300,000 - Black Minx (has not been to stud)
Oaklands Stud (As Agent) / James Bester Bloodstock (NSW)

$260,000 - Heat of the Fire (served by Flying Spur)
Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Darley Australia (NSW)

$250,000 - Danalaga (served by More Than Ready)
Glastonbury Farms (As Agent) / Raffles Farm (NZ)

$250,000 - Smarts (served by More Than Ready)
Murrulla Stud (As Agent) / Colm Santry Bloodstock (NSW)

$230,000 - The Chunkster (has not been to stud)
The Chunkster Syndicate / Dato Yap Kim San ()