North Star Lass (Zoustar) today became the most expensive horse to sell online in Australia in 2023, realising $1,525,000 to the bid of Yulong in the Inglis Digital September (Early) sale.
As her price sailed toward the $1m mark, four industry heavyweights were vying for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained G2 winner.
But as has been the case so often this year especially, Yulong proved too strong, continuing their insatiable appetite for the highest-quality stock that hits the open market.
Offered by Waterhouse and Bott on behalf of the ownership group, North Star Lass also became the fourth seven-figure mare to sell through Inglis Digital this year, making it the most successful year for the online platform in terms of top-selling lots.
Bott described today’s outcome as “a very strong result, amazing really for all involved’’.
“You can still get that same buzz and excitement out of the result without being at a live auction and all the owners were absolutely delighted to achieve that price today,’’ Bott said.
“That’s the big benefit of Inglis Digital in that we had a filly who was ready to potentially retire and head straight to stud and the owners had this option to offer her to the market and give her a chance to realise her fair value in a timely manner.
“To have a strong market benchmark like Inglis Digital is a real asset for the industry and that was showcased again today.
“Gai and I are always trying to find these types of fillies, horses that will predominantly be forward and precocious types, she was purchased at reasonable value being by Zoustar, she got her black type and now sells for $1.525m. It’s fantastic for everyone.’’
North Star Lass was prepped for the September (Early) Sale at Ridgmont Farm in the Hunter Valley.
“Full credit to Mitch Cunningham, Chris Phillips and the team at Ridgmont, they were able to pull everything together at short notice, they’ve been very professional in their approach and helped us to achieve a great result for the owners.’’
Yulong’s Sam Fairgray confirmed North Star Lass would visit the farm’s leading stallion Written Tycoon this season.
“She’s a gorgeous mare, she was obviously a very good race mare, she raced against the best, coming up against the likes of In Secret, Zougotcha, She’s Extreme etc and was competitive against them,’’ Fairgray said.
“She’s a great physical and it’s just great to have her joining the broodmare band.
“She wasn’t easy to buy, there was proper competition there but the good ones are always very hard to get, especially if they’re attractive and tough race mares like her.
“Physically she’ll suit Written Tycoon really well and on paper it works well also. We also own the three-quarter sister, a 2YO by Zousain who is also with Gai and Adrian who are really happy with her.’’
Today’s second-top lot was the broodmare Tuscan Heat (Oasis Dream) – offered in foal to Wootton Bassett – which also sold to Yulong, for $190,000.
The mare was offered by Willow Park Stud on behalf of the owners.
“There were three clients who owned her and she was sold to dissolve the partnership and we’re all very satisfied with the result,’’ Willow Park’s Glenn Burrows said.
“We’re delighted Yulong liked her enough to buy her and if she has a nice foal they could easily recoup today’s price and more, given it’s a Wootton Bassett foal and given he’s booked out at a $93,500 service fee at Coolmore.’’
Fairgray added on Tuscan Heat: “She’ll come back to the farm and go to Lucky Vega once she’s foaled down the Wootton Bassett.
“We’ve got some Wootton Bassett weanlings and yearlings at the farm and they’re great, he’s a beautiful stallion and it’s great to have another one by him.’’
The third-top lot of the sale was Arcadia Grace (Hinchinbrook), which sold to Cathy Hains’ Burnewang North for $120,000.
Liam Peters – representing vendor Peters Investments - was delighted with the outcome.
“That was a bit surprising actually, we were really happy with the price,’’ Peters said.
“I was expecting around the $75,000 mark so to get more than 50% more than that, it’s a great result.’’
In total, the September (Early) Sale grossed $4,867,350.
Entries for the Inglis Digital September (Late) Sale are now open and will remain so until midnight next Wednesday, September 20.
The sale will run from September 22-27.
Already confirmed for the Late Sale is Expat (Makfi), winner of the G2 Millie Fox Stakes and G3 Belle of the Turf.
The Joe Pride-trainee, who is a granddaughter of tw of the greatest sires of all time in Dubawi and Galileo, is being offered as a racing and breeding prospect.
To enter CLICK HERE.
