Australia, 2 June 2008

Champion race mare Divine Madonna has made a Magic Millions record price of $2.7 million at the National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

The four time Group One winner brought the sales complex to a standstill when she entered the ring at approximately 12.40pm. A few minutes later she left the ring with the state and all time Magic Millions record having been knocked down to Bill Mitchell, bidding on behalf of Darley Australia.

John Sunderland, the stud manager of Darley, said the mare would be one the jewels of their outstanding broodmare band. "It's obviously a lot of money, but we're delighted to be able to buy her. It's very hard to be able to get mares of her quality and accordingly you have to spend a lot to buy them."

Sunderland said no decision had yet been made as to which stallion Divine Madonna would visit in her initial season at stud this spring. "We'll just get her home and then sit down and work things out from there," Sunderland added.

Mark Kavanagh, the man who purchased Divine Madonna as a yearling from the Adelaide Yearling Sale and trained her throughout her illustrious career, had some mixed emotions.

"I am a bit (sad), but it opens another chapter to her life and now we can look forward to her producing quality offspring. We're delighted with the price - not often you can turn $80,000 into $2.7 million - and grab another two (million) along the way."

"And with my wife being a part owner it makes me feel a lot better! It's been a memorable ride - and as they say, while one door closes another will open."

Divine Madonna, by Hurricane Sky and from the top producing Prego mare My Madonna, won eight races and earned over $2 million during a glittering racetrack career.

She is best remembered for her group one wins in an Emirates Stakes, Toorak Handicap, Myer Classic and Queen of the Turf Stakes.

The statistics for the session were as follows:

Lots Sold: 123
Sale Aggregate: $11,747,250
Average Price: $95,506
Top Price: $2,700,000
Lots Withdrawn: 26
Lots Passed: 56
Lots Catalogued: 205
Sold %: 69