Kia Ora Stud manager Alex Kingston was present on the sales ground, striking on Lot 149, a Lonhro mare named War Heroine, and Lot 206, the mare Jennifer Lynette (Elusive Quality).
War Heroine (pictured), a winner of the G2 San Clemente S., went for US$450,000 (A$625,000).
“She was a typical Lonhro mare that had plenty of quality,” Kingston described. “Good size and strength. She had a very nice topline to her and an excellent action.”
“We thought she would probably be in the A$700-$800,000 bracket at Magic Millions as an Australian reference, so paying US$450,000 for her here was within our budget.”
Jennifer Lynette, a winner of the G2 Royal North S. in Canada, took Kingston’s eye. She was purchased for US$575,000 (A$800,000) and with an eye toward a mating with boom sire Zoustar.
“This mare was all quality.” Kingston said. “She is the perfect outcross mare for Australia. Given the cross of Elusive Quality over Northern Meteor, with Shooting to Win and Deep Field, it is more than likely this mare will go to Zoustar in 2019.”
Australian representative for Fasig Tipton, Andrew Williams, said the purchases destined for Australia were well bought and highly commercial.
“Kia Ora Stud and Newgate Farm are two of Australia’s leading commercial breeders. The four mares are valuable outcross mares and great additions to the broodmare population.”
“It’s fantastic to have plenty of Australian breeders up here this year,” Williams reported. “It’s developed into a phenomenal sale – seeing the likes of Lady Aurelia go through the ring is an incredible spectacle.”
