Cover image courtesy of Race Photos
On Thursday afternoon, the sale of Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) was concluded through the New Zealand-based Gavelhouse platform. The dual Group 1 winner sold for NZ$1,452,500 to Downtown.
The bidding was active between several parties, including underbidders Cambridge Stud, but Downtown responded to the increments and added the dual Group 1 winner to their broodmare band.
Prowess was purchased for NZ$230,000 by her trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood from the draft of Hallmark Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
For the duo, Prowess would be crowned the Champion Middle Distance Horse of New Zealand, reflecting on her career and sale, co-trainer Wellwood told The Thoroughbred Report, "She was a quality mare in every way and an absolute pleasure to train.
"It's shame we never got to see her full potential on the track, but we look forward to following her as a broodmare.
Prowess (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kirstin Ledington (Race Images)
Hallmark product
Bred by Hallmark Stud, the daughter of Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir was the fourth foal from Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}). The mare was purchased by Hallmark Stud for NZ$20,000 from the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Sale.
Donna Marie’s first foal, a filly by Foxwedge named Ajay Tee (NZ), was placed in the Listed Canterbury Belle S. She was followed by the four-time winner Diamond Ring (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}).
Returning to Super Easy (NZ), Donna Marie produced Prima Donna (NZ), a winner over 2000 metres. Her fourth foal Prowess, however, proved to be her best.
Lot 1 - Prowess (NZ) sold for NZ$1,452,500 on Thursday | Image courtesy of Gavelhouse Plus
Talented from the start
When Prowess’ premature retirement was announced, Kingsclere stable co-trainer Robert Wellwood told The Thoroughbred Report, “I remember seeing Prowess at Hallmark Stud on the farm parades, and I recall saying to Roger (James), ‘I think we’ve found a pretty nice one here.’”
Offered at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Prowess continued to impress her trainers. “We landed on her as one of the better fillies at the Karaka complex. We just loved her movement. As a physical type, she looked like a real athlete.”
“We landed on her (Prowess) as one of the better fillies at the Karaka complex. We just loved her movement. As a physical type, she looked like a real athlete.” - Robert Wellwood
Sent to Whanganui on her debut, Prowess was successful and followed up that effort with a win at Cambridge on the synthetic track. At her third start, Prowess was tested in the G3 Soliloquy S., where she finished third, beaten by future elite-level winners Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca).
Prowess was beaten by another paternal sibling, Pier (NZ), in the 2000 Guineas but bounced back in the G2 Auckland Guineas. That victory was followed by four consecutive successes: the Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, the G1 Bonecrusher against older horses, and her impressive display in the G1 Vinery Stud S. in Australia.
Robert Wellwood | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“Roger and I felt she was going to be top class later in life. She was so impressive to the eye in the Vinery Stud, winning by a long margin and not often do you see margins like that in Group 1s.”
Skipper reflects on Prowess journey
Prowess raced for an ownership syndicate headed by Dean Skipper, who watched on as he prepared to depart from Queenstown for an Australian holiday.
“We’re absolutely stoked,” Skipper said. “It’s a great result for us and a great result for her, and now she can go on to the next phase of her career and get every opportunity to succeed."
“Going into this auction, anything was going to be a bonus. We buy horses to race, not sell. We had our fun with her and got a fantastic return, along with some memories that we’re going to have forever. So to cap it all off with this auction result tonight, we’re just really stoked. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Farewell
The daughter of Proisir returned to New Zealand after her Australian romp, and first-up in October in the Taranaki Breeders S., she was placed on that occasion. By the end of the month, she was back in Australia.
The G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day proved to be Prowess’ penultimate start. Arguably not at her best, Prowess showed her class by defeating Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and the Group 1 winner Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}).
Prowess retired with eight victories from 12 starts, ranging in distances from 1200 to 2050 metres. She was crowned the Champion Middle Distance Horse in New Zealand and claimed two Group 1 victories, along with a placing in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Prowess cleared away to win by 3.3l in the G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill in 2023 | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Her dam, Donna Marie, was served by Proisir last season and is set to return to the Champion sire this spring. Prowess' full sister was snapped up for NZ$1.6 million at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
The filly was purchased by the Pakenham-based trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman under the Moody Racing banner. She has been named Seychelles (NZ).
