When self-confessed “part-time breeder and small-time buyer’’ Gasper Stellato paid $18,000 for a filly at the 2018 Premier Yearling Sale, never did he dream she would turn into the horse of a lifetime.
But that all changed today when that filly – now known as Mariamia – topped the Inglis Digital March (Early) Online Auction, selling to Newhaven Park for $335,000.
In a fabulous result for Stellato, Mariamia – who finished a head by a head third to Probabeel and Flying Mascot at G3 level last month – became the 27th horse to sell for $300,000 or more on the Inglis Digital platform.
“This is the best result I’ve ever had, I’ll tell you that,’’ an emotional Stellato said.
“I love this mare, she’s very special to me, but I just wanted to give her every chance in the breeding barn and she’ll get that now with Newhaven, I just couldn’t pay for the good stallions she deserves for the rest of her life.
“This is by far and away the best sale that I’ve never been to! I’ve never sold anything for anywhere near this much, I was hoping for $225,000, maybe $250,000 because of that Probabeel and Flying Mascot recent form but to get this much, it’s just amazing.’’
Stellato sourced Mariamia (pictured) at Oaklands in 2018.
“I’m the little bloke buying them for $2000 or $3000 out the back at the weanling sales or P2 [Premier Showcase Session] so you never expect a result like this,’’ he said.
“I love Inglis Digital. I’ve sold some of my weanlings online and some broodmares, it’s just such a good platform, nice and easy and I can stay in my office and watch it all unfold.
“I’ll be back at Premier next year to reinvest now!’’
Newhaven Park’s John Kelly remained undecided on an immediate plan for Mariamia, who will likely remain racing, but was certain who her first date would be in the breeding barn.
“We think she’s a very nice mare and we bought her principally to go to Xtravagant, we think he’s doing a really good job and she’s a very nice mating for him,’’ Kelly said.
“Obviously she’s by Toronado who’s doing everything right as a stallion at the moment and his progeny keep stepping up to the next level all the time.
“Mariamia was a 2YO winner, she’s got great race form with the Probabeel and Flying Mascot form and we really like those fast mares like her.’’
Mariamia was one of two horses to realise six figures in the March (Early) Sale, with the Kacy Fogden-trained Winter Violet selling to Bell View Park Stud for $115,000.
It takes the total of horses to sell for $100,000 or more on the platform since 2018 to 187.
Bell View’s Adam Mackrell said: “She ticks all the boxes especially being by Not A Single Doubt, a great stallion who’s becoming a really good broodmare sire too.
“She’s a winner and city placed and is from a good family but most importantly for us she’s a really nice type, a well above average physical.
“She made plenty as a yearling and from all the feedback we got in videos and photos etc off the Inglis website, we were really happy with her.
“She’ll go to a nice high-profile stallion later this year, we’ll sit down and work out which one once we get her to the farm but she’ll hold good residual value too being a half to a 2YO Stakes winner (Khan).
“We’ve bought quite a few off Inglis Digital and sold some through the platform as well, it’s a good way of doing business, it’s straight forward and easy to deal with so we enjoy it.’’
Other sale highlights included the Tony Gollan-offered Brentwood selling to Zoe Daly for $90,000 while three lots realised $70,000.
The strong action led to the March (Early) Sale grossing $3,397,750 at an increasing 81% clearance rate.
Inglis Digital graduates continue to perform on the track for their new owners.
Just last weekend alone graduates off the platform won 52 races in Australia and Digital runners collectively earned $726,856 in prizemoney.
Highlights were the Anthony Cummings-trained 2YO She’s Extreme – a $32,500 online purchase – who won the G3 Magic Night Stakes and is now an $8 chance in Saturday’s $5m G1 Golden Slipper, Great Buy (a $25,000 Digital purchase) who won the Coonamble Country Championships Qualifier, Echuca Cup winner Not To Be Mist (a $50,000 buy), G3 Maurice McCarten second-place getter Rule Of Law and G1 Newmarket Handicap runner up The Astrologist, who has twice had shares sell on Inglis Digital.
Entries for the Inglis Digital March (Late) Sale are now open and will remain so until midnight on Wednesday March 23.
To submit an entry, CLICK HERE.
