The Mitchell family run Yarraman Park Stud featured during the first session of the 2007 Inglis Australian Select Broodmare Sale at Newmarket on Monday when they presented dual Group One winning Anabaa (USA) mare Virage de Fortune, who was sold for an Australian record price of $3.4 million.
A grand-daughter of champion mare Emancipation, the dashing grey was the subject of an intense sale ring battle between Coolmore and Darley, the latter winning out with Inglis Director Jonathan D’Arcy placing the successful bid on Darley’s behalf, securing the prize mare for the highest price ever paid for a thoroughbred at public auction in Australia.
“Darley have bought an absolutely outstanding mare and we’re delighted that our clients have achieved such a great result with a mare they’ve now had so much success with in every way,” said Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park.
Yarraman Park now hold a unique piece of Australian thoroughbred sales history having sold the most expensive broodmare in Virage de Fortune, as well as the highest priced yearling colt and filly, a feat they achieved at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year.
At Easter in 2006, Yarraman sold a Redoute’s Choice colt from Deja Slew (USA) for $3million to South African trainer Charles Laird and the full sister to champion filly Alinghi for $2.6 million to Demi O’Byrne.
Neither record was broken at Easter this year, although the Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) colt from L’On Vite (USA) did equal the top price for a colt at $3million.
“It’s an amazing record to have for a smaller stud, certainly something that you would never expect or dream could happen,” said Mitchell, adding that the full sister to Snitzel offered by Yarraman at the Gold Coast earlier this year set a Magic Millions record price for a filly when she fetched $1.4 million to the bid of Darley’s bloodstock agent John Ferguson.
For further information contact Arthur Mitchell 0412 495 687 or Harry Mitchell 0412 280 576 or visit www.yarramanpark.com.au
