$900,000 for Not A Single Doubt filly

A new record top price for a Not A Single Doubt yearling filly was set at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Sale on Tuesday when the half-sister to Champion 2YO Melody Belle was knocked down for $NZ900,000.

It took only two bids, an opener of $800,000, then a wink at $900,000 for syndicator David Ellis of Te Akau Racing to secure the filly, who was offered by Haunui Farm on behalf of her breeder Marie Leicester. 

The third foal of minor winner Meleka Belle (by Iffraaj), the filly is an outstanding type with size, strength & quality and her extended female family is one of New Zealand’s best, descended from the Foxbridge mare Belle Fox.

David Ellis said, “I’ve been watching this filly’s family for the last 40 years. The moment I saw her at Haunui Farm I thought she was a stunning filly. She came up here to the sale and didn’t turn a hair as she took it all in her stride.”

Marie Leicester’s long experience as an owner and breeder ensured she was not carried away by other people’s pre-sale assessments of the filly’s value.

“After fifty years in this game the one thing I can say is that I’m a realist. I’ve learnt not to get my hopes up as the minute you do they come crashing down pretty quickly. I did have a figure in my mind that I would like to have achieved and this has well and truly exceeded that.

“The Belle family, which was established by my parents back in 1938, has produced so many quality gallopers so I’m keen to see this filly now carry on that tradition.”

The record of other high-priced Not A Single Doubt fillies that have raced is certainly encouraging. The $650,000 filly Pretty Fast and $450,000 filly Qafila are both Listed winners with upside in the Snowden and Hayes & Dabernig stables.

The Meleka Belle filly was the only Not A Single Doubt yearling at Karaka. Buyers can now look forward to his 16 lots at the Inglis Classic Sale (among them two Arrowfield fillies), eight at Inglis Melbourne Premier and 19 at Inglis Easter including two colts in Arrowfield’s consignment.

Not A Single Doubt is currently 6th on the Australian General Sires’ Premiership with $6.4 million prizemoney and seven stakeswinners, including Caulfield Guineas G1 winner Mighty Boss.