Superstar New Zealand racemare Legarto, a brilliant winner of Saturday's Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes, will attract global bloodstock attention when she is offered at the 2026 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May.
Connections of the outstanding, four time Group One winner will offer her through the Attunga Stud draft following her current farewell campaign.
On Saturday the daughter of Proisir came from second last at the 800 metre mark to score a rousing win over last start Group One winner Kingswood in the Herbie Dyke Stakes, the 2000 metre feature at Te Rapa.
An 11 time winner from just 23 career starts, Legarto has blazed an incredible path on tracks in both New Zealand and Australia. She famously won the Australian Guineas at Flemington in 2023.
During the same season she also captured the Group One One Thousand Guineas, Group Two Eight Carat Classic and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes.
Her win in Saturday's Herbie Dyke Stakes made it two victories in the Group One following her success in the same race in 2024.
Legarto will have another run at the elite level in New Zealand before connections decide if a possible Australian target is added before she heads to auction.
"We put her out in the paddock after getting home from the races, but it took a while to catch her when I went out to put her cover on later on," co-trainer Ken Kelso reported this week.
"That tells me she's taken no harm from the race, so the Bonecrusher (Stakes) is the obvious next target for her."
"Beyond that we'll have to talk things through," Kelso added. "We've already decided this is her final preparation, but if she was to go well at Ellerslie we could perhaps look at a race like the Australian Cup."
Across her lightly raced career Legarto has defeated dozens of Group One winners on both sides of the Tasman - the likes of Amelia's Jewel, Prowess, Knight's Choice, Belclare, Jacquinot, Waitak and La Crique.
Ultimately the star mare will go under the hammer, like many superstars before her, at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She will be a standout offering on Day One of the auction on May 26.
"We've already arranged for her to go to Brian Nutt at Attunga Stud to be prepared for the sale," proud part owner Philip Brown said.
"Being a partnership, public auction is the proper way to realise her true worth. As a multiple Group One winner, including one in Australia, she's obviously a valuable mare, so it's going to be an interesting exercise."
"That was probably the most emotional win of all on Saturday – to see her bounce back after some had begun to doubt her, Opie getting his 100 (Group One wins) and another big win for Ken and Bev – it was special," Brown added.
The news of Legarto's National Sale confirmation has been welcomed by the Magic Millions team who are busily compiling what will be another industry leading catalogue of prospects for May.
"We are thrilled and extremely honoured to be entrusted to bring Legarto to market on behalf of her connections at the 2026 National Broodmare Sale," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.
"Legarto ranks as one of the finest racemares to have graced the turf in New Zealand in recent seasons, and to win the Group One Australian Guineas places her alongside superstar mares Miss Finland, Mosheen and Mystic Journey, as the only fillies to have beaten the males this century in the time honoured Group One. She's been a star each season and her win on Saturday was sensational."
"From being an unbeaten juvenile to a Champion of New Zealand at three and the Champion Middle Distance Performer the following season, Legarto has danced every dance and she's also a last start Group One winner," Bowditch added.
"We look forward to enjoying the final conclusion to her racing career before she heads to the Gold Coast where she will be a most sought after breeding prospect for any farm - no matter where they are located around the world."
