Top Lots: Legarto reigns supreme at $2.8 million

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Lot 408 - Legarto (NZ) (Proisir x Geordie Girl (NZ) {Towkay}) - $2,800,000 to the Devil Night Syndicate

She profiled as one of the headline acts of the sale and that proved exactly the case, with Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) selling for $2,800,000 to Yulong, bidding under the Devil Night Syndicate banner, from the Attunga draft.

A powerful-looking mare and a five-time Group 1 winner across both sides of the Tasman, Legarto won the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas and G1 Australian Guineas over a mile as a 3-year-old before stepping up to claim a further three Group 1 victories at Weight-for-age level over 2000 metres in New Zealand.

One of six Group 1 winners among Proisir’s 24 stakes winners, Legarto amassed 12 wins and more than NZ$3.15 million in prizemoney during her 24-start career.

She is one of three winners from the two-time-winning mare Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay {NZ}), who showed her own quality when finishing fourth in the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes.

Geordie Girl has also produced the 11-time winner and Listed-placed Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), who foaled a Proisir filly last spring and was subsequently served by him again, while the mare’s other runner, Locally Sauced (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), is a 10-time-winning stayer. Collectively, her three runners have now amassed an outstanding 33 victories.

Yulong’s Jun Zhang said Legarto stood out as the premier mare of the sale and revealed the team 'fell in love with her' from the first inspection.

“She’s the mare of the whole sale and we love her, we fell in love with her when we first saw her,” Zhang said.

Zhang added that the mare would support Yulong’s growing stallion roster and indicated she would likely visit Segenhoe alongside stallions Devil Night or Private Harry.

“We’re going to put her to Segenhoe. We purchased Segenhoe and we need some very elite mares to support our stallions, Devil Night or Private Harry.”

Despite the significant price tag, Zhang said mares of Legarto’s calibre are difficult to value.

“Every mare is very special, so we can’t put any price tag on them. I think she was the one and we had to get her.”

Lot 454 - Snitzanova (Snitzel x Albanilla (GB) {Galileo {Ire}}) - $1,800,000 to the Private Harry Syndicate

A Group-winning mare by champion sire Snitzel and backed by a world-class international pedigree, Snitzanova always loomed as one of the more appealing offerings of the sale.

Yulong, bidding under the Private Harry Syndicate banner, secured the mare for $1,800,000 from the Ciaron Maher Racing draft, offered as agent for Bennett Racing.

Snitzanova was originally purchased by Bennett Racing for $200,000 from Arrowfield Stud’s draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She has since proven a tremendous return on investment, winning just over $1,000,000 on the track, highlighted by victories in the G2 Sandown Guineas, G3 Spring Stakes and the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy over 2200 metres earlier this year.

Her unraced dam Albanilla (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is closely related to Champion European 3-year-old stayer Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Champion Older Female in Europe Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the six-time Group 1 winner who captured the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Bennett Racing’s Nathan Bennett admitted the result was nerve-wracking once bidding climbed beyond the million-dollar mark, though he felt the mare justified her final price.

“I thought she was probably worth that. She's a pretty good mare and can still race on,” Bennett said.

“Nerve-wracking. Once you get into the million mark you're hoping for another bid here and there and we were lucky enough to get a few.”

Bennett said the result represented a huge outcome for the ownership group, who purchased the mare for $200,000 before she went on to earn more than $1 million on the track and another $1.8 million in the ring.

“It’s a huge turnaround for the owners. They paid $200,000 for her as a yearling and then for her to go on and win over $1 million on the track and produce $1.8 million in the ring is a huge result.

“I’m just stoked for all the owners involved and that they’ve got a good payday.”

Buyer Jun Zhang said Snitzanova’s physical presence and pedigree made her an obvious target.

“She’s obviously by Snitzel, a very good damsire and she’s got strength and good size.”

Zhang added that a decision was yet to be made on whether the mare would continue racing, with a possible tilt at Saturday’s G3 Lord Mayors Cup still under consideration.

“I may have a chat with Ciaron (Maher), to see the field and that race. Maybe we will just bring her home just to give her more time.”

Lot 465 - Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire} x Sretan {Bernardini {USA}}) - $1,600,000 to Arrowfield Stud

Stretan Angel, the classy daughter of Harry Angel (Ire), sold for $1,600,000 to Arrowfield Stud from the Yarraman Park Stud draft.

A multiple stakes winner, she scored twice at Group 2 and Listed level and finished in the top four at Group 1 level on five separate occasions.

Alongside her racetrack ability, Stretan Angel boasts a current and fast-rising pedigree. She is a half-sister to this season’s G2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler), who also placed in both the G2 Todman Stakes and Listed Merson Cooper Stakes.

The family continues to gain momentum, with additional stakes performers including Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}), Pure Joy (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and Fravashi.

Commercially, the pedigree is also thriving. Sretan’s yearling colt by Harry Angel, a full-brother to Stretan Angel, sold for $540,000 from the Kirks Bridge Farm draft to Equine Growth Fund, Blueblood Thoroughbreds and SP Bloodstock at the 2026 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Arrowfield principal John Messara said the mare appealed on every level, from pedigree and physique through to racetrack performance.

“I liked everything about her. I liked the pedigree. I like the way she looked. I had a good look at her, and I liked her performance,” Messara said.

Messara highlighted her elite sprinting performances at the highest level and revealed she had been specifically targeted for The Autumn Sun.

“A three-times Group 1 placed mare in the best races - the Goodwood, the Newmarket, Lightning Stakes, those sort of races.

“She’ll suit our horse, The Autumn Sun, perfectly. We’re buying mares to suit the horses that we’ve got and that mare we bought for that purpose.

“She’s straight off to The Autumn Sun.”

Messara described the top end of the market as fiercely competitive but said Arrowfield remained fortunate to have strong partners and active stallions supporting the operation.

“It is a tough battle out there. The top end is very competitive. We’re lucky to have good partners and we’re lucky to have active stallions.

“We’re making the best of it.”

He also reaffirmed his confidence in The Autumn Sun, comparing his early results favourably to those of Snitzel at the same stage of their careers.

“I am a big believer in The Autumn Sun. You can see what he has done. He’s got a very good strike rate and he can throw a champion. I think he’s had five or six Group 1 winners already.

“I compared him with Snitzel at the same age and he’s ahead of Snitzel at the same age. Snitzel was always a slow starter but I think there is much to come from The Autumn Sun.”

Sretan has since produced a weanling foal by Harry Angel and was served by City Of Troy (USA) last spring.

Lot 411 - Lilac (Justify (USA) x Paulownia {Fastnet Rock}) - $1,500,000 to Katsumi Yoshida

Lilac (Justify {USA}) has been a terrific filly for Champion Thoroughbreds and partners, delivering victories in the G3 James HB Carr Stakes and Listed Jim Moloney Stakes while earning more than $385,000 in prizemoney.

She continued to reward connections in the sales ring, selling for $1,500,000 to Katsumi Yoshida from the Yarraman Park Stud draft.

The beautifully bred mare is out of the Group 2-placed Paulownia (Fastnet Rock), a full-sister to Group 1 winner and sire Foxwedge and Listed winner She’s A Fox (Fastnet Rock).

Lilac is also a half-sister to dual 2-year-old winner and Listed placegetter Agarwood (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

Yarraman Park Stud's Matt Scown was delighted with the result.

"She was popular all week, seven figures is always a dream result, and to go to Shingo (Hashimoto) on behalf of Northern farm's is just amazing."

Paulownia has further quality progeny still to come through, including the 2-year-old gelding Sprig Of Wattle (Home Affairs) and a weanling filly by Justify (USA) conceived in America. She was also served by Justify’s superstar son City Of Troy (USA) last spring, meaning a potential three-quarter sibling to Lilac is due this spring.

Lot 428 - O’ Ole (Ole Kirk x Vellor {Sepoy}) - $1,500,000 to Katsumi Yoshida

Early 2-year-old speed is always highly sought after in the Australian market and this is exactly what O'Ole (Ole Kirk) brought to the table.

The R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner sold for $1,500,000 to Katsumi Yoshida from the Attunga Stud draft. Her juvenile résumé also included victory in the R. Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic and a placing in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes on debut.

Beyond her racetrack ability, O’ Ole also carries a strong pedigree.

She is out of dual winner Vellor (Sepoy), a half-sister to G2 Magic Night Stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter Altar (Commands), while her granddam Hosannah (Octagonal) was a four-time Group winner and Group 1 placegetter.

Katsumi Yoshida's representative Shingo Hashimoto said the mare’s physical appeal was the first thing that captured their attention, before her juvenile racetrack performances further elevated her profile.

“We really liked how she looks, so that came first, and the way she performed at the Magic Millions 2YO race was fantastic, so we really liked her,” Hashimoto said.

Hashimoto revealed a decision was yet to be made on whether the filly would remain in Australia or eventually head to Japan, though retirement plans were already in place.

“We haven’t decided yet whether to take her back to Japan or possibly keep her in Australia, that’s yet to be decided.

“She could stay in Australia, we could take her back to Japan but, nevertheless, she’ll be retired.”

He also noted that Australia’s ability to consistently produce high-quality early-running juveniles remained one of the strongest attractions for Japanese buyers.

“That’s one of the strongest points that the Australian market has, which we also like in Japan as well. You can’t complain about it.”

Vellor still has a 2-year-old named Chanterelle (Ole Kirk) to hit the track, while she also has an Ole Kirk weanling colt on the ground and was most recently served by Extreme Choice.

Lot 503 - Captured By Love (Written Tycoon x Moldova {Snitzel}) - $1,500,000 to Sheng Geng

Moldova (Snitzel) the dam of Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) made headlines earlier this year when she sold in foal to Home Affairs for $1,000,000 to Yulong Investments at the 2026 Inglis Chairman's Sale.

On Tuesday morning it was Captured By Love’s turn in the spotlight, with the Group 1-winning mare selling for $1,500,000 to Yulong under the Sheng Geng banner from the Newgate Consignment draft, offered as agent for Te Akau Stud.

Captured By Love was a star juvenile, winning her first four starts, including two Group 2 victories and a Group 3 success, before concluding her 2-year-old season with two placings at Group 1 level.

At three, she captured the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas before adding the G3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes as a 4-year-old.

Few mares can claim Group wins at two, three and four from 1200 metres through to 1600 metres, and that versatility only strengthened her appeal alongside her Written Tycoon and Snitzel pedigree cross.

Te Akau principal David Ellis reflected on the full-circle nature of the result, having originally purchased the mare for $500,000 before returning to the same sale ring to sell her for three times that figure.

“Captured By Love has come the full circle. This is where I bought her for $500,000, and to win seven races and to come back and get $1.5 million, Australian dollars, is a big thrill for us,” Ellis said.

Ellis also praised the work done by both Newgate and Magic Millions in presenting and promoting the mare throughout the sale.

“She has been brilliantly promoted by Newgate and Magic Millions and we’re very happy.”

Lot 420 - Memo (Capitalist x Notation {Fastnet Rock}) - $1,100,000 to David Redvers Bloodstock and Widden Stud

The G2 Magic Night Stakes winner Memo (Capitalist) will head to a new home after David Redvers Bloodstock and Widden Stud combined to purchase the speedy filly for $1,100,000 from the Newgate Consignment draft, offered as agent for Snowden Racing.

It is a family stacked with commercial speed.

Memo won at Group 2 level and also placed in the G3 Scarborough Stakes, R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, R. Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic, G3 Gimcrack Stakes and Listed Gosford Guineas.

Her dam Notation (Fastnet Rock) was a five-time winner and G3 Tibbie Stakes placegetter, while Memo’s granddam Chocolicious (Saf) (Kahal {GB}) was a Group 1 winner in South Africa and also placed in the Listed UAE One Thousand Guineas in Dubai.

Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said the filly looked an ideal match for Zoustar, noting the Fastnet Rock influence in the pedigree as a major positive.

“She looks perfect for Zoustar. There is Fastnet Rock in the pedigree which works so well. Capitalist will suit and there are a few other parts of the pedigree that go well with Zoustar,” Thompson said.

While the final bid stretched beyond expectations, Thompson said the team remained determined to secure her.

“We paid a bit or two more than we were hoping but we wanted to buy her.”

Thompson added that Memo had already done enough on the racetrack to warrant retirement to stud.

“I think she’ll go to stud. She was that good, sharp 2-year-old and I don’t think she’s got a lot more to prove.

“We’ll get her home and get ready to be covered this season. We’re lucky that we’ve got some really good clients who back us with these types of mares.”

Notation has also produced the 2-year-old colt Tight Five (Stay Inside) and a weanling filly by Capitalist in recent years, before missing to Stay Inside last spring.