Noor Sahara (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has quickly become a standout for Alma Vale Thoroughbreds. The progressive stud paid $550,000 for the Irish-bred mare at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Already a Listed winner in France, Noor Sahara was offered in foal to champion sire I Am Invincible, and the investment has already started paying dividends.
A mare with lots of appeal
The appeal of Noor Sahara (Lope De Vega) was not just her past performance, but also her pedigree, and the future mating she was carrying to I Am Invincible that struck a chord with Engelbrecht.
“Imperatriz is by I Am Invincible out of a Shamardal mare, and Lope De Vega is by Shamardal, so it is that same cross, so we loved the pregnancy she was carrying,” Engelbrecht said.
“She is also a lovely type of mare, a quality mare, that is leaving quality foals.”
“She (Noor Sahara) is also a lovely type of mare, a quality mare, that is leaving quality foals.” - Oscar Engelbrecht
Confidence in her breeding potential was further strengthened by the performance of her first foal in the ring. That colt, also by I Am Invincible, sold for $600,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, now named Utopic Future and in work with Ciaron Maher. This result gave the team faith that Noor Sahara can produce top-quality stock.
“Her first foal by I Am Invincible made $600,000 at Easter, so it gives you a lot of confidence with the mare. The yearling colt is going to Easter, so she has had two good colts and both are good Easter quality. The mare comes from a beautiful international family,” Engelbrecht explained.
Noor Sahara | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
One of the best foals on the farm
Engelbrecht described their excitement over the mare’s latest arrival. “We really, really wanted a filly, and we got one, so we got what we wanted which was great,” he said.
“Buying off good farms like Yarraman Park, and farms you trust, can’t be underestimated.”
“We really really wanted a filly and we got one, so we got what we wanted which was great. Oscar Engelbrecht
Noor Sahara had previously produced consecutive colts by I Am Invincible to start her breeding career. “She had previously had two colts, and Arthur Mitchell said she is due for a filly, and he was right,” Engelbrecht added.
Physically, the new I Am Invincible filly is already making waves at Alma Vale. “It was one of Vinnies best nicks that line, this filly is a better. She is one of the best foals physically on the farm, I reckon. She is pretty hard to fault,”
I am Invincible x Noor Sahara filly | Born at Alma Vale Stud
Engelbrecht believes the filly is not only a beautiful physical specimen but also carries immense potential. “The I Am Invincible filly, she looks like she will gallop to me, but even if she is unraced she has so much residual value.
"She will walk into any sale and keep on improving. If we wanted to race her, you would be more than happy to. She has a beautiful quality head and eye, she is all quality.”
In foal to Anamoe
Noor Sahara’s next mating continues the stud’s strategy of combining proven mares with exciting sires. This season, she visited and has tested in foal to Anamoe, the exciting son of Street Boss (USA), whose first weanlings sold very well this year - including a $340,000 sale for Alma Vale at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
“The mare has visited Anamoe, his first foals at the weanling sales sold through the roof, we sold a really nice one for $340,000. She is a really nice mare and she is worth the spend. Everyone seems to be talking about the Anamoes, all the stud masters, all the sales companies. He seems to be the one, fingers crossed,” Engelbrecht said.
Anamoe | Standing at Darley
With a filly already described as “all quality” and a breeding programme targeting some of Australia’s hottest sires, Noor Sahara has quickly become a cornerstone of Alma Vale’s broodmare band, and a future foal by Anamoe will definitely be one to watch.
