Titanic bidding duel results in $5.6 million for Chayan

16 min read
The action came to a crescendo late in the Inglis Chairman's Sale on Thursday night, with three of the last five lots selling for seven figures. The best was saved for last when Coolmore Stud prevailed over Yulong to secure G2 Reisling Stakes winner Chayan for a new sales record of $5.6 million.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

At A Glance:

Clearance for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale dropped to 73% (87%), and the aggregate was $39.085 million. 2025 ($54.4 million) and 2024 ($35.3 million). From a larger catalogue, 79 horses sold this year compared to 77 in 2025.

The average was down to $494,747 ($706,883), while the median lowered in 2026 to $300,000 ($400,000).

There were nine seven figure lots, compared to 14 in 2025.

The top lot was $5.6 million for G2 Reisling Stakes winner Chayan (I Am Invincible), who was sold by Newgate Consignment to Coolmore Stud. Last year’s sale topper multiple Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) was the previous record holder for the sale at $4.2 million.

Top Buyers: Yulong Investments was the sale’s top buyer by gross, spending $8.45 million on eight lots. Coolmore’s Tom Magnier topped the buyers chart by average with two purchases at an average of $3.2 million.

Top Vendors: Newgate Consignment headed the vendors by aggregate, selling 15 lots for $12.855 million. They also sold Provence (NZ) for $1.8 million in conjunction with Milan Park. By average (two or more sold), Widden Stud finished the sale with four lots sold for an average of $962,500.

Top Sires: Extreme Choice led the covering sires by gross at $2.85 million for three lots and by average at $950,000. Thanks to the sale topper, Chayan, I Am Invincible led the stallions by gross with $7.015 million from five lots, and he also topped the averages chart at $1.4 million.

Coolmore sets new sale record to secure Chayan

“Unbelievable,” is how Eric Koh, Chayan’s (I Am Invincible) former owner, described the seven-figure tennis match that ensued in the Riverside Stables auditorium over the final lot at the 2026 Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday evening.

A hush fell over the crowd as the G2 Reisling Stakes victress - akin to Helen Of Troy in her reception - entered the ring, and it only intensified as the bidding climbed over the sale’s previous record of $4.2 million, achieved last year by Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai). Tom Magnier placed bids for Coolmore Stud in person, while Yulong hit back online.

Over that figure, the climb to $5 million was swift, before Tom Magnier landed the final blow at $5.6 million and no return serve was made by the underbidders.

“I came here thinking she would make $3 million, maybe $3.6 million,” said Koh. “But as the bidding got to $4 million, $5 million…unbelievable.”

“I came here thinking she would make $3 million, maybe $3.6 million.” - Eric Koh

It was a long wait for Koh until the end of the evening, but worth it to see his filly realise a new sale record at the 10th edition of the Chairman’s Sale.

“(I have) a heavy heart now to lose her,” he said. “Obviously she’s special. From day one I inspected her three times, and then to see her here today, solid, nice, not 100% in front, but that is why she was cheap back then and I was able to afford to buy her.

“When she was a favourite for the Slipper, I told everyone she’s a keeper and I was going to breed from her.”

The prompting of an old friend first raised the idea of a sale. Koh credited Inglis’ Nicky Wong and consignor Henry Field for adding conviction to that idea. It became a true feather in the cap of the latter, with Newgate Consignment finishing the night as leading vendor by a wide margin.

Eric Koh | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“Nicky rang and said the team at Inglis had a meeting and they think she’s potentially one of the best selling 2-year-olds,” Koh said. “And then Henry rang - ever convincing Henry. I thought it was fairest to put her in the sale. It was a three prong decision between Inglis, Newgate, and my dear friend.

“Nicky (Wong) rang and said the team at Inglis had a meeting and they think she’s potentially one of the best selling 2-year-olds.” - Eric Koh

“This is obviously the biggest result and achievement for myself, so I’m very happy for Coolmore. She has huge potential ahead.”

Keen members of the audience will notice the Longwood Thoroughbred Farm brand on Chayan’s shoulder, meaning that Michael Christian’s Victorian operation has now been responsible for the top lot and new record setter at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale two years in a row.

The filly was a $250,000 graduate of their 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, and she was second on debut in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies) before seventh by two and three quarter lengths in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Her three-length Reisling win earned her favouritism for the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes, where she was a gallant eighth.

“When there’s a filly as highly rated and highly thought of as she is, you expect to have all the top people on her and that’s clearly how things played out,’’ said Magnier, who also confirmed the filly would stay with her current trainers, Annabel and Rob Archibald.

“I’m delighted for Eric, he’s a really good guy and he’s done very well out of her. Yulong are always very strong and that was some duel. Rob and Annabel have been calling me all week about this filly and in fairness, they do a great job. Rob was our racing manager once upon a time so I said ‘we’ll give this filly back to you if we buy her’.

“Rob and Annabel have been calling me all week about this filly... Rob was our racing manager once upon a time so I said ‘we’ll give this filly back to you if we buy her’.’’ - Tom Magnier

“Hopefully with a bit of luck she’s lucky on the track and keeps going but at the end of her racing days, I think she’d suit a stallion like Super Seth but there’s a lot of racing upside there yet, it’s over to Rob and Annabel now. We’ve done well out of this sale…and when you have a stallion roster like we’ve got, you’ve got to be buying these sorts of mares and race fillies.’’

Chayan's dam, the Group 3 winner Lubiton (Snitzel), is back in foal to I Am Invincible. She was on-sold by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000 to Ridgeport Holdings.

Top Lots

115ChayanI Am InvincibleLubitonT MagnierNewgate Consignment, Aberdeen$5,600,000
35BenedettaHellbentWhatalovelydayYulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdWidden Stud, Widden Valley$1,900,000
100Provence (NZ)SavabeelSombreuilYulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdNewgate - Milan Park Consignment, Aberdeen$1,800,000
111PhiliaAll Too HardMeerlustK YoshidaWidden Stud, Widden Valley$1,400,000
79Kiki ExpressSepoyMalooseExtreme ChoiceSP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty LtdNewgate Consignment, Aberdeen$1,200,000
7Snow in MayThe Autumn SunSee You SoonYulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdSegenhoe Stud, Aberdeen$1,050,000
112HazlebrookHinchinbrookQuipsterExtreme ChoiceYulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdNewgate Consignment, Aberdeen$1,050,000
32Arabian SummerToo Darn Hot (GB)MaraamArrowfield Stud / Hermitage ThoroughbredsSegenhoe Stud, Aberdeen$1,000,000
91MoldovaSnitzelLa Fluorescent (NZ)Home AffairsYulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdLime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford$1,000,000
25Zouper StarZoustarSimply the Best (NZ)Street Boss (USA)Yulong Investments (Australia) Pty LtdNorthmore Thoroughbreds, Murchison North, Vic$800,000
58Flamboyant LassStratumFlamboyanceStorm BoyT MagnierNewgate Consignment, Aberdeen$800,000

Vendors By Gross

Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen152$12,855,000$857,000$5,600,000
Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen92$4,365,000$485,000$1,050,000
Widden Stud, Widden Valley41$3,850,000$962,500$1,900,000
Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford104$3,840,000$384,000$1,000,000
Newington Farm Premium Consignment, Biddaddaba, Qld50$2,620,000$524,000$750,000
Northmore Thoroughbreds, Murchison North, Vic71$1,860,000$265,714800,000
Newgate - Milan Park Consignment, Aberdeen10$1,800,000$1,800,0001,800,000
Vinery Stud, Scone40$1,200,000$300,000400,000
Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains40$950,000$237,500360,000.0
Astute Bloodstock, Sydney21$780,000$390,000$430,000

Benedetta realises $1.9 million to bid of Yulong

The price skyrocketed quickly for G1 Goodwood Handicap winner Benedetta (Hellbent), and ultimately it was Yulong who prevailed in the bidding to secure the eight-time winner for a price of $1.9 million.

“She’s one of the better mares who has raced over the past 24 months, and we already own a little share in her, so it's great to be able to get the remainder of her,” said Yulong CEO Sam Fairgray.

“A decision is yet to be made about whether she races on through the winter, but she'll definitely be going to stud this spring. With our new acquisition in the Hunter, it’s likely that she will go to Segenhoe to let down and get ready for the breeding season.”

A mating has not yet been selected for the daughter of Hellbent, but Fairgray shared that when viewing her, the team had pencilled her in for G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night’s first season at stud.

“We look at the physical and their performance, and we try and think which stallions would be suitable for them, and jot down a couple that they're likely to go to,” he said. “She's a mare that I'm sure Devil Night would love to see in his first year at stud. She’s a mare with a great turn of foot and a lot of quality about her.

“She's (Benedetta) a mare that I'm sure Devil Night would love to see in his first year at stud.” - Sam Fairgray

“I think it’s nice to be able to give them (a young stallion) a mare of her quality in their first year at stud.”

Sam Fairgray | Image courtesy of Inglis

Yulong were the most active buyers of the evening, securing eight lots for an average spend of $1.06 million.

The winner of $2.4 million in prizemoney from the family of New Zealand Champion 3YO Leica Guv (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}) and G1 Australian Guineas winner Light Fantastic (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Benedetta won six of her first eight starts, and ran fourth or better seven times at Group 1 level. She was originally a $75,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Eales Racing Syndications from the Mill Park draft.

“It’s a bloody fantastic sale,’’ Laurence Eales said. “It’s my first experience at a Chairman’s Sale, it’s been done very well by the Inglis team and it’s a fitting end to Benedetta’s racing career for myself and the other owners involved.

"It’s (the Inglis Chairman's Sale) a fitting end to Benedetta’s racing career for myself and the other owners involved." - Laurence Eales

“We bought her from Inglis as a yearling for $70,000, to see her do the full circle and come back here through Inglis to be sold, it’s very fitting. It’s a very well put together auction, we’re very happy, she’s won us $2.5 million on the track plus what she’s made tonight, it’s been an unbelievable experience.’’

Her Group-performed dam Whatalovelyday (Domesday) was offered on the same evening in foal to Harry Angel (Ire) and was purchased for $325,000 by Matt Houldsworth, Group 1 Bloodstock, and Merricks Station.

Buyers By Gross

Yulong Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd8$8,450,000$1,056,250$1,900,000
T Magnier2$6,400,000$3,200,000$5,600,000
K Yoshida3$2,410,000$803,333$1,400,000
Kia Ora Stud Pty Limited3$1,585,000$528,333$625,000
Newgate Bloodstock4$1,520,000$380,000$450,000
SP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty Ltd1$1,200,000$1,200,000$1,200,000
Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) / Cressfield3$1,030,000$343,333$500,000
Arrowfield Stud / Hermitage Thoroughbreds1$1,000,000$1,000,000$1,000,000
Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)2$870,000$435,000$600,000
Trilogy Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)2$765,000$382,500$475,000

Provence destined for date with Devil Night or Private Harry

She was one of the most anticipated mares to walk through the ring, and ultimately the hammer fell at $1.8 million for triple Group 1 winner Provence (NZ) (Savabeel), purchased by Yulong. Sam Fairgray confirmed that she would head to the newly purchased Segenhoe to be prepared for the breeding season, when she would be set for a date with either Devil Night or Private Harry.

“She’s got a lot of quality about her, and she’s the full sister to one of the best 3-year-old fillies in New Zealand,” said Fairgray, referring to last season’s R. Listed NZB Kiwi and R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic victress Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel). “The pedigree is only going to keep on improving.”

“The pedigree is only going to keep on improving.” - Sam Fairgray

A granddaughter of G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes victress Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park {NZ}) from the family of Brutal (NZ), Provence’s seven wins are highlighted by the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, the G1 Thorndon Mile, and the G1 Captain Cook Stakes.

“She’s by Savabeel out of a Flying Spur mare and her grandmother was a very good 2-year-old, so there’s a lot of speed in the family. You don't find many Savabeel mares that have won three Group 1 races, so to be able to add a mare like her to the broodmare band is fantastic.”

“You don't find many Savabeel mares that have won three Group 1 races, so to be able to add a mare like her (Provence) to the broodmare band is fantastic.” - Sam Fairgray

Yulong purchased a mare of a similar profile, Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale for $2.7 million. She was served in the spring by Alabama Express.

Blueblooded Philia to head to Japan

Northern Farm have enjoyed many successes over the years with Australia’s fastest fillies, and Katsumi Yoshida added another top calibre mare to his broodmare band with the $1.4 million purchase of G2 The Roses victress Philia (All Too Hard) late in the evening.

Also the winner of the Listed Princess Stakes, Philia is a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award) and to G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince).

Descended from Canadian Horse Of The Year and blue hen Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {USA}), her family includes Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) and 14-time Principle race winner L'Enjoleur (Can).

Trained by David Vandyke for her breeders, the Irwin and Harris families, she earned almost $400,000 on the track, with her four wins coming in succession in the autumn of 2025. Her dam Meerlust (Johannesburg {USA}) passed away in 2025, leaving a Hellbent yearling colt as her last progeny on the ground.

Extreme prices secure in foal mares

Three mares in the Chairman’s catalogue were offered in foal to Extreme Choice and all three generated extreme interest, with the first - Kiki Express (Sepoy) - realising $1.2 million to the bid of SP Bloodstock.

“She’s in foal to Extreme Choice, who averaged $1.6 million at the Easter Sale and she’s a great mare that produces good foals,” said Stefan Pardi, who was surprised but delighted to secure the mare. “I'm really, really happy. I think it's good buying and it'll probably prove that it's good buying in the future.

“She (Kiki Express) was my number one.” - Stefan Pardi

“She was my number one. I wanted to take her home, but I thought I'd have to probably go to $1.5-1.7 million. I couldn't believe it's been knocked down to me, to be honest with you.”

The mare was secured for Pardi’s Equine Growth Fund, who have been signing a number of cheques over the last 12 months at sales across the country. Last year, they purchased the weanling full brother to Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) for $775,000 and sold him for $2.2 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in March.

“I've got a few investors on the table that are in the fund, good guys, and I told them the game plan and they pushed me along and we got her,” Pardi said.

“I've got a few investors on the table... I told them the game plan and they pushed me along and we got her.” - Stefan Pardi

Winner of the Listed Debutant Stakes, Kiki Express is out of Listed Schweppervescence Stakes winner Maloose (Redoute’s Choice), from the direct family of Champion Sprinter Isca (Rory’s Jester) and Oaks-performed G3 Adrian Knox Stakes winner Star Alight (Kenmare {Fr}).

Stefan Pardi | Image courtesy of Inglis

Her first foal, a filly by Anamoe, was a $360,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, who realised $800,000 at the same venue in January, bought by Matt Laurie Racing, Willannah Park Bloodstock, and ARJB. She has an Ozzmosis filly to follow.

Yulong secured Hazlebrook (Hinchinbrook) carrying a full sibling to G3 Vanity Stakes winner Wollombi (Extreme Choice) for $1.05 million later in the sale, while Listed-performed Sizzlefly (Sizzling), carrying a mid September cover to the stallion, made $600,000 to the bid of Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA).

Covering Sires By Gross

Extreme Choice3$2,850,000$950,000
Home Affairs5$1,600,000$320,000
Harry Angel (IRE)9$1,465,000$162,778
Street Boss (USA)3$1,430,000$476,667
Switzerland3$985,000$328,333
Broadsiding7$820,000$117,143
Storm Boy1$800,000$800,000
Anamoe6$750,000$125,000
Too Darn Hot (GB)2$625,000$312,500
I Am Invincible6$525,000$87,500

Covering Sires By Average

Extreme Choice3$950,000$2,850,000
Street Boss (USA)3$476,667$1,430,000
Switzerland3$328,333$985,000
Home Affairs5$320,000$1,600,000
Too Darn Hot (GB)2$312,500$625,000
Harry Angel (IRE)9$162,778$1,465,000
Stay Inside2$145,000$290,000
Anamoe6$125,000$750,000
Broadsiding7$117,143$820,000
I Am Invincible6$87,500$525,000

A flurry from Yulong secures Snow In May

Listed Canberra Guineas victress Snow In May (The Autumn Sun) will be another mare joining the Yulong broodmare band this spring after selling to the operation for $1.05 million just seven lots into the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. The 4-year-old won’t have far to travel, having been offered by Segenhoe Stud.

Thrown into stakes company at her third start after back to back wins, Snow In May ran second in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes behind Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun), beating out G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Manaal (Tassort) and subsequent G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes victress Lazzura (Snitzel). She followed that up with a third in the G1 Flight Stakes to Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and hit back in the autumn with her Guineas victory.

Returning as a 4-year-old, she chalked up a third in the G2 Hot Danish Stakes and the G3 Mona Lisa Stakes, as well as fourth placings in the G2 Golden Pendant and G2 Emancipation Stakes. At her most recent outing, she was beaten a lip by Captain Furai (Toronado {Ire}) in a Benchmark 100 race at Randwick in mid April.

Originally a $150,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase from Attunga Stud, Snow In May won over $437,000 for her current ownership, which includes Bangaloe Stud’s Julia Ritchie.

“The timing was right to sell now, and her last run showed she was back in the zone, which is great,” said Ritchie. “She got a little bit wayward for a while there, but she's a beautiful mare and I think she has still got some running to go with her yet.

“She's (Snow In May) a beautiful mare and I think she has still got some running to go with her yet.” - Julie Ritchie

“Some of us involved with her are breeders and some will be moving on to look at other horses at this sale as well. I know as a breeder, I'll be looking at a few later in the sale to maybe purchase if I can afford them.”

Snow In May is the first to race for See You Soon (Siyouni {Fr}), a multiple Group-performed juvenile and half-sister to three-time Qatar Champion The Blue Eye (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Listed Gothic Stakes winner Lofty Arch.

Theatrical finish to Chairman's Sale

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch described the evening as an “incredible spectacle’’.

“The Chairman’s Sale is without peer as the most enjoyable session of horse selling of the year in this part of the world, maybe even anywhere in the world,’’ he said. “The atmosphere in the room from the preamble, culminating in the sale of Chayan at the end of the sale, was electric – it felt really special to be a part of it.

“I think our team has reason to be incredibly proud of what has been created with this sale – it is a wonderful night and the result of a huge amount of work by any number of people.

Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis

“The theatre surrounding the sale of Chayan was incredible, I think with the exception of the Winx filly at Easter 2024, that was the most amazing atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at a sale in my time in the industry."

While the clearance rate was below last year, Hutch sent out assurances that the Inglis team would be hard at work over the next few days getting that number to rise.

“There are so many positives for us to take out of the night and, as ever, we are incredibly grateful for the support of the sale by both vendors and buyers," he said.

Buyers By Average

T Magnier2$3,200,000$6,400,000
Yulong Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd8$1,056,250$8,450,000
K Yoshida3$803,333$2,410,000
Kia Ora Stud Pty Limited3$528,333$1,585,000
Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)2$435,000$870,000
Trilogy Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)2$382,500$765,000
Newgate Bloodstock4$380,000$1,520,000
Gilgai Farm2$375,000$750,000
Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) / Cressfield3$343,333$1,030,000
Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd2$250,000$500,000
Bell River Thoroughbreds2$200,000$400,000

Vendors By Average

Widden Stud, Widden Valley41$962,500$3,850,000
Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen152$857,000$12,855,000
Newington Farm Premium Consignment, Biddaddaba, Qld50$524,000$2,620,000
Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen92$485,000$4,365,000
Astute Bloodstock, Sydney21$390,000$780,000
Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford104$384,000$3,840,000
Vinery Stud, Scone40$300,000$1,200,000
Northmore Thoroughbreds, Murchison North, Vic71$265,714$1,860,000
Fairview Park Stud, Grose Wold20$265,000$530,000
Cape Schanck Stud, Cape Schanck, Vic21$262,500$525,000

Sires By Gross

I Am Invincible5$7,015,000$1,403,000$5,600,000
Hellbent3$2,140,000$713,333$1,900,000
Zoustar4$1,950,000$487,500$800,000
Snitzel4$1,810,000$452,500$1,000,000
Savabeel1$1,800,000$1,800,000$1,800,000
All Too Hard1$1,400,000$1,400,000$1,400,000
The Autumn Sun2$1,300,000$650,000$1,050,000
Sepoy1$1,200,000$1,200,000$1,200,000
Toronado (IRE)2$1,175,000$587,500$600,000
Hinchinbrook1$1,050,000$1,050,000$1,050,000

Sires By Average

I Am Invincible5$1,403,000$7,015,000
Hellbent3$713,333$2,140,000
The Autumn Sun2$650,000$1,300,000
Toronado (IRE)2$587,500$1,175,000
Capitalist2$490,000$980,000
Zoustar4$487,500$1,950,000
Snitzel4$452,500$1,810,000
Foxwedge2$372,500$745,000
Dundeel (NZ)2$275,000$550,000
Shalaa (IRE)2$262,500$525,000
Inglis Chairman's Sale
Yulong
Benedetta
Snow In May
Sam Fairgray
Provence
Stefan Pardi
Kiki Express
Extreme Choice
Philia
Chayan
Coolmore Stud