Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On Thursday night, the Newgate Consignment is set to showcase a draft of 17 mares and fillies, described by Henry Field as "the best-looking collection of mares" ever presented by the esteemed operation at the 2024 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
In a conversation with The Thoroughbred Report, Field expressed, “We’ve (Newgate Consignment) consigned a lot of great mares, in fact we’ve offered more than double the amount of million dollar mares than any other consignor in the last six to eight years, but what’s different with this consignment is that not only are we selling elite-race fillies but they are as a good-looking group we’ve ever taken to sale; I think that’s the differentiating factor.”
He further elaborated, stating, “We’ve got some really elite fillies with the performance; we get them every year, and of course, they’re very rare themselves but when they’ve got the race form, and their physicality mirrors their performance - I think it makes them stand out differently to the other high-profile mares.”
Henry Field
Additionally, Field explained why it’s important for the Newgate Consignment to have a presence at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, “There’s two premier breeding stocks in this hemisphere and the Inglis Chairman’s Sale is one of them and it’s a boutique, night of the stars type-sale that is such an important part of the global marketplace.”
Superstars to take centre stage
Among the stellar offerings within the Newgate Consignment and throughout the Inglis Chairman’s catalogue, shines Lot 32, She’s Extreme, a daughter of Newgate Farm’s own Extreme Choice. This striking chestnut is presented solely as a breeding proposition and stands as one of the best-performed runners sired by the statistically remarkable stallion.
Under the tutelage of Anthony Cummings, She’s Extreme showcased her extraordinary talent as a juvenile, securing victories in the G1 Champagne S. and the G3 Magic Night S., while also claiming second place in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and the G2 Sweet Embrace S.
Her prowess extended into her 3-year-old campaign, where she triumphed in the prestigious G1 VRC Oaks and placed commendably in the G1 Spring Champion S., the G1 Flight S., and the G2 Furious S.
Lot 32 - She's Extreme | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Commenting on She’s Extreme, Field remarked, “She’s Extreme is just an unbelievable prospect, really. Physically, she’s quality. Her racetrack performance is nothing short of truly exceptional. As a juvenile she won a Golden Slipper trial and ran enormously well in the Golden Slipper.”
Continuing, he emphasised “She won a Champagne and then trained-on to win the VRC Oaks. You've got a mare, who is absolutely top-class by Extreme Choice and physically a queen - She’ll be one of the most unique mares in the whole catalogue.”
She’s Extreme is joined by the Group 1-winning Startantes as Lot 43. The daughter of Vinery Stud’s Star Turn is offered as a racing and breeding proposition. A tough and talented performer, Startantes won six races and in addition to her G1 Tatt’s Tattersall’s Tiara success, she was placed in the G1 Surround S. and G1 Flight S.
“She’s Extreme is just an unbelievable prospect, really. Physically, she’s quality. Her racetrack performance is nothing short of truly exceptional.” - Henry Field
“Startantes was the Co-Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia. She’s a medium-sized mare but absolutely beautifully put together. I can see her being a mare that can produce sale-toppers because I think she will produce very fast-looking stock.
“She’s a top-class race filly and is perfectly put together.”
In the exciting and understandably hard to split draft, Field is eager to see how Lot 61 Autumn Ballet will be received. She is a daughter of Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun, who has been in the headlines with a host of Group 1 winners in the recent weeks.
Lot 43 - Startantes | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Autumn Ballet won the G3 Black Opal S. on debut and secured the G2 Silver Shadow S. as a 3-year-old. Additionally, she also hails from a top-class family that includes the late Champion Lonhro.
“The Autumn Sun has done amazing things this season. He’s had a phenomenal set of fillies this season and Autumn Ballet was the fast and precocious one with top-draw sprinter-miler form. Physically, Autumn Ballet is very, very nice.
Bluebloods galore
The Newgate Consignment underscores the global influence within the thoroughbred breeding industry, boasting prospects with both international and national bloodlines. Lot 14, Monte Invincible, a daughter of the Champion Sire I Am Invincible and the blue hen Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Listen Here, the dam of Newgate Farm’s former star stallion Deep Field, holds significant pedigree weight. Deep Field, now retired, showcased his talent as a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placegetter. He is half-brother to the G1 Caulfield Guineas victor Shooting To Win and the Listed-winning Zoustar mare Zaniah.
The Newgate Consignment also features daughters of esteemed sires such as Showcasing (GB), So You Think (NZ), Sebring, Written Tycoon, and Snitzel. Notably, mares covered by Extreme Choice and Juddmonte Farm’s legendary Frankel (GB) are poised to capture attention.
Lot 14 - Monte Invincible | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lot 34, Silent Tryst (Sebring), from Miss Foxwood (Fastnet Rock), a fourth-placed runner in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Silent Tryst has been covered by Extreme Choice. Additionally, Lot 65, Boddington, a daughter of Deep Field, is closely related to the Champion South African mare Igugu (Galileo {Ire}).
Furthermore, the consignment includes Lot 28, Rodinia (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), descending from the esteemed blue hen mare Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). Offered on a cover to the unbeaten Champion Frankel. Similarly, Lot 75, Global Brand (USA) (War Front {USA}), a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Marketing Mix (Can) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), presents a formidable pedigree with her cover to Frankel.
Reflecting on these offerings, Field remarked, “I think what’s amazing with those two mares (Lot 28, Lot 75) is that they are very good-looking, great walkers and their mares have been specifically bred to Frankel. We do a lot of research into what mares suit Frankel, and the mares he produces the best types and performers from."
Furthermore, he noted the rarity of mares covered by Frankel, emphasising, “Anytime a mare is offered on a cover to Frankel, you’re going to attract attention, but you’ve got to breed a good type and at least you can be very bullish about the fact that these mares have specifically been matched with Frankel in mind.”
“... you can be very bullish about the fact that these mares have specifically been matched with Frankel in mind.” - Henry Field
Closing with enthusiasm, Field highlighted the diversity and quality of the consignment, stating, “We will also offer two mares on covers to Extreme Choice; there’s very few of them being offered on the market. These are two young mares with big pedigrees. So, we’ve got a great range of mares, a lot of really nice race mares and mares from blue hens."
Expectations
Field summarized his thoughts ahead of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale and the 2024 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, where the Newgate Consignment boasts 27 catalogued entries. “We have three proper top-class mares and a strong pool of prospects overall for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. We have a compelling case with two of the best-looking mares on the complex.
“As for expectations, truth be told, I just don’t know. I don’t know how the market's going to be, but I believe our high-quality mares will be in demand because they're of blue-chip quality. So, I think our position in the market will serve us well. Regarding the overall market, I'm unsure, but the encouraging weanling sale indicates potential demand, especially on Friday for young mares with a cover. Many savvy buyers profited from weanlings earlier in the week, so I anticipate strong interest in Book 2.
Inglis Chairman's Sale | Image courtesy of Inglis
“There are plenty of nice mares like that on Friday, which could exceed my initial expectations due to the strength of the weanling market. Smart traders often seek mares they can sell six-figure weanlings/yearlings from, and I believe they'll acquire them reasonably. As for the Chairman’s Sale, it's difficult to predict and will largely depend on the four or five major players in the market. It's a fascinating situation to watch unfold.”
Chairman's has Hutch excited
Sebastian Hutch, Inglis CEO - Bloodstock and Sales, expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Inglis Chairman Sale, describing it as "probably the most fun sale Inglis is involved in all year." He highlighted the opportunity to inspect a series of high-class race mares and producers in the days leading up to the sale, emphasising the excitement surrounding the reception of the fabulous group of mares.
He noted the diverse range of mares in the catalogue, catering to both lower and middle market segments as well as those aiming for higher-end acquisitions, ““I mean there will be mares here that will fit in the lower to middle end of the market and there’s mares that will hopefully make $2 million plus. Overall, it’s a group of mares that has the capacity to appeal to a very broad section of people and you never quite know the extent to which people are prepared to really stretch for any of the mares they like.”
Regarding the slightly reduced catalogue size compared to the previous year, Hutch explained, “We are beholden to the owners of these good mares.” Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the mares secured for the sale, including notable names like She’s Extreme, Kimochi, Startantes, C’est Magique, Tutta La Vita, and Autumn Ballet.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
Speaking about the atmosphere, he said, “It’s been pretty wet this afternoon. We had a fantastic couple days of the weanlings sale. We aren’t saying it’s all sunshine and rainbows with the sale but a lot of people sold horses very well in what was expected to be a difficult market. Independent of what we were expecting in the sale, I think it performed at a level far above and beyond what people in general were expecting and that’s contributed to what feels like a pretty positive sentiment around the complex today (Wednesday).
“I think people are looking forward to Thursday and Friday and hopefully people see opportunities in what’s in the catalogue . Across the Chairman’s and Broodmare Sale catalogue there’s a lot of interesting mares there and I think people recognise the fact that with due diligence you can end up with whatever you’re looking for.
“Whether it’s a foal to trade back through the weanling sale next year or whether it’s a long-term broodmare or people looking for siblings to current horses, or particular pregnancies. I think there’s something there for everybody.”
“Whether it’s a foal to trade back through the weanling sale next year or whether it’s a long-term broodmare or people looking for siblings to current horses, or particular pregnancies. I think there’s something there for everybody.” - Sebastian Hutch
In conclusion, Hutch said, “Promoting the sale on the basis of the celebration of the careers of these fantastic mares. She’s Extreme, for example, just an extraordinarily rare mare in the context of racing in Australia. Just to see her go through the ring and have the market recognise her value is going to be cool.
“And there’s plenty of mares in that category. Excitingly we have a bunch of fillies and mares with the capacity to race on. So, the Inglis Chairman’s will be a stage of their journey rather than be the end of it.”
