A homebred for Arcella Thoroughbreds, talented So You Think mare Banana Queen has been a favourite of the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable working through her grades over the past three seasons before winning the Group III Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle last year to cap her appeal as a broodmare prospect.

It’s rare enough for any filly to win more than one G1 Oaks event and rarer still for them to be offered at public auction, so the appearance of Satono Aladdin (Jpn) mare Pennyweka (NZ) at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale produced some fiscal fireworks before she was knocked down to Panthalassa Syndicate (Yulong) for $1.6million.