Kia Ora Stud was the winning bidder for the South African Grade 1 winner Queen Supreme (Ire) (Exceed And Excel), paying US$900,000 (AU$1.2 million) for the 5-year-old mare, who was offered by Bluewater Sales and is headed to Australia.
A half-sister to Australian stakes winner Call Me Handsome (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) as well as English Listed winner Be Ready(Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), Queen Supreme won seven races, including the G1 Cartier Paddock S. at Kenilworth both in 2020 and 2021 for Mike de Kock.
She had her final start for Andrew Balding in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, where she was down the track, well beaten by Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
“We are thrilled to have secured Queen Supreme. She was a standout for us in the catalogue and given current market values around the world we are very happy with how she was bought,” Shane Wright, Kia Ora’s Bloodstock and Breeding Manager said.
“She has the Exceed And Excel factor which is a huge tick for us along with a beautiful international pedigree and black type strength throughout every dam from all over the world not to mention that illustrious Group 1 beside her name.
“She was inspected by one of the best judges in the world and his first comment was, ‘her name suits’, Queen Supreme.”
From a pedigree perspective, not only is she a sister to two stakes winners, but her dam, Call Later (USA) (Gone West (USA) is a half-sister to the multiple Grade 1 winning Juddmonte mare Ventura(USA) (Chester House {USA}), who is the dam of French Group 3 winnerFount (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Wright said the American mares’ market was one which Kia Ora had had previous success with, notably with Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can}), who it purchased for $750,000 at Keeneland in 2013, the dam of G1 Moir S., winner Wild Ruler (Snitzel).
“We feel this mare (Queen Supreme) will fit right into our broodmare band and look forward to her visiting one of our stallions next season.”
Story from TDN Aus NZ
