It was the second trip around the Inglis sale ring for quality Brave Smash (Jpn) filly Kimochi at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday evening and while she made just $21,000 at the weanling sale in 2021, she shot out the lights out this time when knocked down to Islay Vale (Yulong ) for $2.2million.
LOT 4 – Group 2 winner and triple Group 1 place getter KIMOCHI has sold to Ilsay Vale for $2.2 million from the draft of @TwinHillsStud 💚
The filly was sold as a racing and breeding prospect at tonight’s @inglis_sales Chairman’s Sale 👑@GaryPortelli @yarramanpark… pic.twitter.com/4UDpV2gT4U
— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) May 9, 2024
Kimochi has been trained with great success by Gary Portelli racking up multiple Group and Listed placings for her owner Mr Leo To before her career defining win in the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes at the start of the autumn beating Learning to Fly.
Kimochi has the overall record of two wins and nine placings from 13 starts with prizemoney in excess of $1million and she has the promise of more to come with lucrative target races at four that could include the $10million Golden Eagle.
“Realistically she could win the Golden Eagle,” said her trainer Gary Portelli.
“She stretched the best mares in the land in the Coolmore including Zougotcha and was beaten a neck. She had been in work all the time, with no spell… imagine how good she could come back fresh.
“My team have done an amazing job, she was a bit tricky early days, but they’ve done a great job and we’ll be sad to see her go, but Vin Cox (Yulong boss) has my number so let’s hope I get a call.”
Kimochi’s sire Brave Smash stands at Yarraman Park this spring at a fee of $33,000.
