Valachi Downs General Manager, Gareth Downey, was delighted but emotional when Baggy green—Only four times won group 1 Tofane—Acquired for NZD 1.75 million (£900,000 / €1.05 million / US$1,097.432) when the Valachi Downs mare dispersed sale ended on Gavelhouse Plus.
The purchase of Baggy Green was completed on behalf of the Yulong Written Foundation, by a Bloodstock dealer in New Zealand.
The Victoria-based farm raked in AU$29,275 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last month, a spending spree that included Tofane herself at AU$3.1 million (US$2,203,771). ) as well as the seller Away match for A$4 million (US$2,843,576).
The distributed sale of the Valachi Downs estate is the latest step in the exit of the Matamata Stud company owned by Kevin and Jo Hickman.
While Baggy Green was a lone lot of 51 mares to break seven numbers, the winner of group 2 Bohemian Lily sold for NZ$680,000 (US$426,431), also to Yulong, while her daughter was placed a stake Lily’s Lady reached NZ $502,500 ($315,120).
Downey told ANZ Bloodstock News: “The sale went very well and Kevin’s broodmare band has been appreciated as much as it deserves. It’s great to see the fruit of all that passion and commitment. his and his input in the industry over the years a wonderfully dispersed outcome at the end of it.
“It was an emotional time for the whole team. We are very attached to Valachi and we are very attached to the mares. It has been an emotional process and there will be more when the time comes. Load them onto the truck.
“But there’s a sense of satisfaction and relief that things have gone so well after all the effort. The houses and we’ll be able to watch them continue their nurturing careers, although not right with Valachi.”
Baggy green (Galileo ), who was sold as a pony carrying a full sibling to Tofane, also made a group 3 winner in Sydney No compromise and Benaudwho on his last start finished second in the Australian Derby (G1) at Randwick to Hitotsu.
From the five ponies named, she has four winners, as well as a 2-year-old teenage sister to Tofane.
Get out Danehill mare Starspangled, Baggy Green is half-sister to group 1 winners Funstar and Youngstar.
Downey said: “I think the reality is that mares like that can’t be valued. They are truly a collector’s item, so rare that they hit the market and so rare that they are out of stock. .
“We all want to own her, it just decides who is the strongest at the end of the bid. At NZ$1.75 million, which may exceed our expectations, but we also expect to exceed expectations!”
Yulong is also the winning Urbis The Roses (G2) buyer Bohemian Lilywho is weaning by Savabeel topped Last Week at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale, while Lily’s Lady, runner-up in the Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (G2) at Ellerslie in January, was purchased by Ian Moses from the Laguna Partnership in Australia.
Honfleurhalf-sister to Bohemian Lily as well as group 1 double winner Shamrocker, Barfoot & Thompson Cup winner Auckland (G1) Rock Divaand Vernanme, group 3 winner, earned NZ$350,000 ($219,486) ponies for Savabeel.
Downey said: “I think there are a couple of lovely mares from that family. Honfleur was probably the one we thought could get more than that, but Bohemian Lily is definitely worth her price. , as well as Lily’s Lady, she’s a beautiful mare.
“Bohemian Lily was an adorable mare that won the group, left a staked mare. Her weaner was sold last week for NZ$360,000 (US$229,052). and she’s the mare to go to Savabeel. She’s a great mare and whoever managed to buy her and Baggy Green, they’ve got themselves some great investments.”
Kia Ora Stud added to their broodmare band with Hunter Valley Farm buying last season’s Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (G2) winner Needle and thread for NZ$410,000 ($257,113).
Valachi Downs’ liquidation of assets continued on Saturday, with the auction opening for the race and young stock going live on Gavelhouse Plus at 12pm (NZST), with bid closing on Friday evening.
Downey added: “It’s been fantastic to work with Gavelhouse. We benefit from the NZB network and the team at Gavelhouse, led by Haylie (Martin) and Patrick (Cunningham), have worked tirelessly and we I really appreciate that.”
