Stallions

Melito tops National Broodmare Sale

Sale-ring highs for champion sire Redoute’s Choice are not limited to yearlings. His most desirable racing and broodmare daughters also attract competitive bidding and seven of them have sold for $1 million or more since 2008.

Pictured: Melito winning the 2010 AJC T.J. Smith S. G1. (PHOTO: Martin King)

The latest Redoute’s Choice mare to sell at that level is magnificent dual Group 1 winner Melito (ex Cloister by Marauding) who was sold in foal to Encosta de Lago at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Select Sale which concluded on the Gold Coast today.

In fact, she broke right through the million-dollar mark when Coolmore’s Tom Magnier paid $1,650,000 for her. Presented by her breeder and racing owner John Rippon’s Reavill Farm, Melito is the second highest-priced Redoute’s Choice mare, behind champion filly Samantha Miss, sold for $3.85 million in 2009.

Two well-performed daughters of Flying Spur also achieved top-ten prices at the Select Sale. Well-known agent James Bester purchased both of them, dual Group 3-winning filly Bliss Street for $450,000 and Group 2 winner Vintedge for $430,000.

Mares in foal to other members of the Arrowfield roster also sold well. Limerock Lass & Queen Hazel, both in foal to Manhattan Rain , made $210,000 and $160,000, and Bellerive Stud sold Bella Sunday in foal to All American for $75,000 to Strathallan Park Stud, Victoria.

Group-placed city winner Solchow, Augustagrand & Lady Mulan, all in foal to Not A Single Doubt made $180,000, $130,000 & $80,000 respectively.

Stakes-placed US-bred mare Banker’s Choice, carrying a positive test to Snitzel , was knocked down to James Bester for $200,000, and Garry Cuddy paid $72,500 for Aussie Crawl, in foal to Starcraft .