Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
Highgrove Stud picked up the classy racing and breeding prospect Manolo Bling (Grunt {NZ}) for $275,000.
The talented North England (Farnan) was secured for $200,000 by The Lofty Thoroughbred Group Pty Ltd.
A 5% share in the Rob and Annabel Archibald-trained 4-year-old gelding Cristal Clear (Exceedance) sold for $25,000 to J Jacobson - valuing the gelding at $500,000.
A 5% share in Cristal Clear's talented Group 1-performed stablemate Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) sold to Willo Park for $18,000, valuing the entire at $360,000.
A 5% share in the Group 1 winner Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) was purchased by Nick Payne for $12,000, valuing the gelding at $240,000.
Highgrove Stud pick up Manolo Bling
The well-performed mare Manolo Bling (Grunt {NZ}) has sold for $275,000 to Highgrove Stud, as she looks an appealing prospect as both a racing and breeding prospect.
A $340,000 yearling purchase, she remains the third highest-priced yearling by Grunt (NZ) ever sold.
She made an immediate impression, winning on debut over 1100 metres at Caulfield. In total she has had just 16 starts and has recorded four wins and five placings, including black type when running third in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap on the Gold Coast.
Manolo Bling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Highgrove Stud’s Ron Gilbert confirmed Manolo Bling would be transferred to Kelly Schweida’s Queensland stable and continue racing until the end of the season before joining the farm’s broodmare band.
“We’ll mix things up with her, new trainer, new surroundings, sometimes that helps these mares switch on a bit more again so we’ll try that but either way, she will go to stud later this year,’’ Gilbert said.
“I haven’t sat down and given a stallion much thought yet to be honest but being Stakes placed and out of a family as good as this, she could be going to one of the top-end stallions.
“I don’t normally buy race mares like her to breed with, I normally buy mares in foal because it’s closer to a result but I just really liked the look of this mare, I liked the family, I liked her pedigree, she’s won over $400,000 and she’s already Stakes placed and just really fitted the mould so I’m really happy to have her.
“She was at the top end of the budget, I thought she was a $250,000 mare and if someone had gone another bid to $280,000 I probably would have been out of play but I got the win so it’s great.
“Inglis Digital is very simple, [Inglis Bloodstock Sales Manager] Will [Stott] did everything for me, I’m a bit technically challenged but the staff at Inglis make it easy that even I can buy or sell a horse online.’’
Manolo Bling is the first foal from Evening Slippers (Snitzel), a 2-year-old winner and full sister to Group 1 winner and stakes producer Sweet Idea (Snitzel) and Group 2 winner and sire Showtime. The page continues to give reason for optimism, with Evening Slippers also producing a Written Tycoon 2-year-old colt, a Grunt yearling colt and a Pierata filly foal that have the potential to add to the family record on the racetrack.
North England sells for $200k
The exciting Group 3-winning colt and potential emerging sire prospect North England (Farnan) was secured for $200,000 by The Lofty Thoroughbred Group Pty Ltd.
The talented colt announced himself in style early in his 2-year-old career, placing in the G3 Breeders’ Plate on debut at Randwick, and then taking out the $1 million Golden Gift at just his second start.
He backed that up with a commanding win in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick when defeating King Of Pop (Farnan), cementing his standing as a high-class 2-year-old.
North England | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lightly raced, North England only has seven starts to his name - five at Group level. His 3-year-old season has been restricted to two runs, but there still appears to be plenty left in the tank in terms of his future career prospects.
“He’s been a terrific colt for our partnership,’’ Newgate Farm's Henry Field said.
“We bought him for $280,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale, he won a Golden Gift and Kindergarten Stakes and almost $1m in prizemoney along the way and we’re really pleased with today’s result in the Inglis Digital sale with his price of $200,000.
“Wishing the new owners all the very best with him.’’
Bred by Zhongli Thoroughbreds and presented by Valiant Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, he was purchased for $280,000 by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing.
He is one of three winners from four-time winner Our Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who finished fourth in the Listed Dulcify Handicap. The family also includes Listed Chautauqua Stakes winner A Little Deep (Deep Field). Our Belisa produced a Stay Inside colt last spring and was subsequently served again by the exciting son of Extreme Choice.
A chance on Port Lockroy
Opportunities to secure a share in a Group 1-winning gelding are few and far between, but that was exactly what presented with Lot 278. Nick Payne moved decisively, purchasing a 5% share in Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) for $12,000, placing a rough $240,000 valuation on the proven performer.
Prepared by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, Port Lockroy is a Group 1 winner by Better Than Ready from the dual Listed-placed Freeze mare Freezethemillions. From 26 starts, he has amassed an outstanding $1,317,342 in prizemoney.
Port Lockroy | Image courtesy of Inglis
The pedigree runs deep. He is a full brother to G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes winner and sire Alpine Edge. His second dam is a full sister to Group 3 Champagne Classic winner Golden Fox (Foxhound {USA}).
Most recently, Port Lockroy delivered another strong performance when finishing third under 59kg in the $500,000 The Wave at the Gold Coast, behind Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution), further underlining his ongoing consistency at a good level.
Cristal Clear in demand
Strong competition surrounded a 5% share in the Rob and Annabel Archibald-trained 4-year-old gelding Cristal Clear (Exceedance), which sold for $25,000 to J Jacobson - valuing the well-performed galloper at roughly $500,000.
Lightly raced yet highly effective, he has recorded five wins from 15 starts and banked close to $600,000 in prizemoney. His latest preparation was his most productive, featuring eight runs, two Saturday metropolitan victories and a commanding win in the Dubbo Cup, securing his place in the Big Dance.
Cristal Clear | Image courtesy of Sportpix
On the big stage, Cristal Clear lined up in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, finishing sixth, just three lengths from the unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun). In testament to his toughness, he backed up three days later in the $3 million Big Dance, again finishing sixth behind Group 1 winner Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {NZ}).
Possessing a strong pedigree, Cristal Clear is out of Group-placed Cristal Eyes (All Too Hard), a three-quarter-sister to Group winner and sire Villermont. He is a half-brother to Listed winner Sass Appeal (So You Think {NZ}). His third dam Bollinger (Dehere {USA}) was a Group 1 winner, while his fourth dam Bint Marscay (Marscay) famously captured the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
