Elite Hunter Valley nursery Cressfield were back in buying mode at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday seeking to restock their stellar broodmare band after losing three G1 winning broodmares last year.
It’s been 12 months of ups and downs at Cressfield with the farm basking in the success of producing another Group I winning superstar in Stefi Magnetica and selling a yearling filly by I Am Invincible for Pippie for $1.4million at Inglis Easter.
But at the same time, they have been dealing with the tragedy of losing dual Group I winner Pippie as well as Midsummer Music (dam of Stefi Magnetica) and a third Group I winner in Secret Agenda.
Cressfield owner Bruce Neill is at the Gold Coast and struck early with Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock to secure the Newgate Consignment offered Lilliesformillie (USA) for $1.3million.
“I came here to buy an in-foal mare. I wasn’t here to buy racefillies. I lost three Group One mares last year - two through colic and one through a bleeding attack which we couldn’t stop,” said Bruce Neill.
“I had to replace them and this is a step towards that.”
A lightly raced juvenile stakes-winner in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) in her first season at stud, Lilliesformillie is from a family that has had good success in Australia to produce Group I winner Wild Ruler and Group III winner Pavitra.
“She’s a gorgeous mare and she rated very highly. It is a good page and well known in Australia with the second dam is by Tale Of The Cat, a very good broodmare sire,” said Bruce Neill, but the covering sire was also a big attraction.
“There aren’t going to be too many Too Darn Hots available this year… There will be next season.”
Too Darn Hot will be back in Australia this spring for Darley at a fee of $275,000.
