Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 607 – Miss Hellfire (Hellbent x Peace Time (USA) {War Front {USA}}) – $2,050,000 to Sheng Geng
Mares in foal to Extreme Choice always attract enormous interest, but when paired when the mare is by an exciting young sire in Hellbent, a pedigree already featuring an Extreme Choice 2-year-old stakes winner and a mare with black-type credentials of her own, demand naturally intensifies.
That proved the case for the Newgate-consigned Miss Hellfire (Hellbent), with Yulong, under the Sheng Geng banner, going to $2,050,000 to secure the exciting young mare in foal to Newgate Farm’s star stallion.
Miss Hellfire showed plenty of talent on the track, winning three races and placing in both the Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO and the G2 Sapphire Stakes. Her pedigree further added to her appeal, being a half-sister to Listed winner Xtremetime (Extreme Choice), Group 1-placed sire Caracaro (USA) and Group 3-placed August Bloom (More Than Ready {USA}).
Newgate Farm’s Jim Carey said the mare had always been highly regarded by the farm and while sad to see her go, they were delighted with the result.
“She’s a special mare for us. We bred her - she had the ‘N’ (Newgate) on her shoulder, and we bought her back last year.
“She’s a special mare for us. We bred her - she had the ‘N’ (Newgate) on her shoulder, and we bought her back last year.” - Jim Carey
“She was a hugely talented mare, she was a beautiful yearling, we know the family well and her sister’s in-foal to Extreme Choice.
“She hasn’t turned a hair, she’s very straight-forward. She was an elite offering. The sire’s a freak, so if she throws one that looks like herself, she’s a winner.”
Jim Carey | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Carey admitted the result represented a strong commercial outcome after Newgate purchased the mare for $640,000 only 12 months ago.
“We are a commercial farm, we have to pay the bills, so it was a great result for the lads on the farm.”
Lot 676 – Startantes (Star Turn x Funtantes {Easy Rocking}) – $1,400,000 to David Redvers Bloodstock and Widden Stud
Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara winner Startantes (Star Turn) will remain at Widden Stud after David Redvers Bloodstock and Widden Stud combined to purchase the mare for $1,400,000.
A high-class racemare, Startantes captured the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara and also placed at the elite level in both the G1 Flight Stakes and G1 Surround Stakes. She missed to Zoustar in 2024 but is now safely in foal to the Champion Anamoe.
The mare is out of the 10-time winner Funtantes (Easy Rocking), who herself won at both Group 2 and Listed level. Funtantes has proven an outstanding producer, with Startantes among her six winners, alongside the five-time winner and Group 3-placed Fabulantes (Easy Rocking).
Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said the operation was eager to retain the mare that they also offered.
“She’s a mare we know very well, obviously we’ve had her at the farm.
“She’s a mare we know very well, obviously we’ve had her at the farm.” - Antony Thompson
“We did own a little bit of her, but there’s a few of the clients that were looking to trade out, so we’re happy to increase our stake and take her home.
“Obviously it’s hard to buy Group 1 winners as a joint champion filly. They’re the type of mares you want to have in your paddock and in-foal to Anamoe, who we had a bit luck with this year – we sold an Anamoe here in January for $1.1 million and this is the sort of mare who will suit him down to the ground.”
Thompson also pointed to the mare’s long-term broodmare potential.
“She’s carrying just her first foal, I think she’s a perfect mare for Anamoe and she’ll suit Zoustar, so we’ve got lots of options for her.
Antony Thompson | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I’m sure you’ll see lots of lovely mares out of Startantes coming back through the sales up here in the near future.”
As for the final price, Thompson felt the market valued the mare as expected.
“We thought she’d make around that one-and-a-half (million dollars) to two, that’s what Group 1 winners make, so anytime you get a chance to buy a Group 1 winner you’re happy to take it.”
Lot 722 – Amen Corner (I Am Invincible x Augusta Proud {More Than Ready {USA}}) – $1,300,000 to Sheng Geng
Sheng Geng struck again later in the sale for Yulong, going to $1,300,000 to secure the well-related Amen Corner (I Am Invincible) from the Newgate consignment. The mare was offered in foal to the elite Extreme Choice.
Amen Corner was metropolitan placed in Sydney and is by Yarraman Park Stud’s Champion sire I Am Invincible. Her female family also carried significant appeal, being out of the Listed Magic Millions 2YO winner Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}), who was also successful in two Group 3 contests and a pair of Listed sprints.
Lot 722 - Amen Corner | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Augusta Proud has already produced Group 3 winner Thyme For Roses (Redoute’s Choice), who in turn left American Group 2 winner and four-time Listed winner Zeitlos (USA) (Curlin {USA}).
“She’s a good, strong mare and if she leaves one similar to herself it will be a very popular yearling.” Yulong Stud's Sam Fairgray commented about the style of mare Amen Corner is.
Lot 687 – Thalassophile (Not A Single Doubt x Spanish Lake {Encosta De Lago}) – $850,000 to Bangaloe Stud
Julia Ritchie of Bangaloe Stud took a liking to the classy Group 3 and Listed winner Thalassophile (Not A Single Doubt) paying $850,000 for the mare out of the Newgate Consignment, who had the added bonus of being in foal to Ole Kirk.
The 7-year-old mare has a strong pedigree being a half-sister to the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes placegetter Maracaibo (Redoute’s Choice) and out of the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Spanish Lake.
Spanish Lake is closely related to the Group 1 winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad) and the Group winners Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro), Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), Fireworks (Snitzel) and Okahu Bay (Flying Spur).
Speaking after the purchase, Ritchie said the mare’s racetrack performance and pedigree made her an appealing prospect.
“Her form is strong. You still like to see a mare that's got good black type somewhere in her form.
“I think, as a type, she'll (Thalassophile) let down into a nice mare, she's still in the early stages, but she has a lot of upside and the family was great as well.” - Julia Ritchie
“I think, as a type, she'll let down into a nice mare, she's still in the early stages, but she has a lot of upside and the family was great as well.”
The mare’s pregnancy to Ole Kirk also added further appeal.
Julia Ritchie | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I’m happy with that, because I'm also a shareholder in Ole Kirk as well, which is good.
“I think we’re looking for him to do more this season with some of his progeny, but he's throwing lovely stock.”
Lot 700 – Viviane (Written Tycoon x Curtana {Exceed And Excel}) – $825,000 to Newgate Bloodstock
The well-related Viviane (Written Tycoon) is set to join the Newgate Farm broodmare band after Henry Field, under his Newgate Bloodstock banner, secured the eight-time winning sprinter for $825,000.
Viviane was also placed in the Listed Alinghi Stakes and boasts a pedigree loaded with black type. She is out of the dual Listed winner and Group 1-placed Curtana (Exceed And Excel), while also being a half-sister to six-time winner and stakes performer Sword Of Mercy (Sebring).
Further depth within the family includes G1 Goodwood Handicap and G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Flamberge (Exceed And Excel), along with Group winners Durendal (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Sunburnt Land (Scenic {Ire}).
Newgate purchased the mare with a clear breeding plan in mind, intending to send her to Extreme Choice once she foals down to Anamoe.
Field said the mare had been identified as an ideal match for their sire.
“Beautiful mare. We work very closely with Daniel O’Sullivan and he had a massive speed rating on her. We think she is a mare that will really suit Extreme Choice.
“Beautiful mare (Viviane). We work very closely with Daniel O’Sullivan and he had a massive speed rating on her. We think she is a mare that will really suit Extreme Choice.” - Henry Field
“Adding those factors up, she was a pretty obvious choice for us. She is a great mating for Anamoe but I just love her for Extreme Choice. We bought her to go to him and I think she’s going be a belting mum.
“Physically, she is the perfect mate for him. She was bought for that job and hopefully she goes in foal and if she does I’m sure she’ll do really well.”
Henry Field | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 804 – Impendabelle (Impending x Applegate {Exceed And Excel}) – $800,000 to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Former high-quality New Zealand filly Impendabelle (Impending) attracted strong interest late on Wednesday, with Sheamus Mills Bloodstock paying $800,000 to secure the mare in foal to I Am Invincible from the Newgate consignment, offered as agent for Ridgmont.
Prepared by Tony Pike during her racing career, Impendabelle was a classy performer at both two and three, winning the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes and the G2 Soliloquy Stakes. She also performed strongly at elite level, placing in both the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas and the G1 Levin Classic.
The mare also boasts a strong pedigree. She is out of Listed 2-year-old winner Applegate (Exceed And Excel) and is a half-sister to Group 3 and Listed winner Cloudy (Frosted {USA}). Further depth is found deeper into the family, with her third dam Link River (USA) (Gone West {USA}) successful in the G1 John A. Morris Handicap.
Purchaser Sheamus Mills described the mare as an ideal commercial prospect.
“Fairly sexy sort of package. She had great 2-year-old form. She won the Soliloquy Stakes in New Zealand which has stood the test of time over there and then run second in the Guineas.
“The old trainer adage, race at two and train on at three. Obviously just a genuinely good racehorse when you can do that.
“The cover to ‘Vinnie’ I really like... I just thought she (Impendabelle) was a nice commercial package and she’s going to be off to a good start.” - Sheamus Mills
“The cover to ‘Vinnie’ I really like. I thought she’d suit him. Low slung, fast looking mare in foal to I Am Invincible. I just thought she was a nice commercial package and she’s going to be off to a good start.”
Sheamus Mills | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
