The Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale produced an early highlight on Wednesday when Zenaida, the dam of yesterday’s $3.9million filly Sunshine in Paris, was offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and purchased by Yulong for $1.4million.
It was the second trip around the Gold Coast sale ring for Zenaida, who was purchased for $240,000 in 2021 at this sale by Paul Willetts Bloodstock for the Liston family of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.
Zenaida was already the dam of Group III winner Macroura with Sunshine in Paris an unnamed yearling by Invader, but what a difference she’s made to the pedigree!
Winner of the Group I ATC Surround Stakes at just her fifth start, the Annabel Neasham trained Sunshine in Paris was bought yesterday by James Harron Bloodstock and you can read about her here.
Toby Liston was thrilled with the sale of Zenaida, who was offered in foal to Maurice (Jpn).
“It’s amazing, she’s a lovely animal, obviously it’s unfortunate you have to sell these horses, but she’s gone to a wonderful home,” he said.
“They (Yulong) are the best supporters of Victoria, so it’s great for us and great she’s staying in Victoria. I can’t wait to see her foal.
“It’s very exciting and it’s a big deal for our family and our farm. We haven’t sold a horse for $1 million before, so it’s great.
“We have to trade, we have to sell these horses.
“We’ve done it before for other people, it’s easy to sell somebody else’s horse, but it’s hard to sell your own.
“You’re never as worried, but when it’s your own you’re never as confident. Coming into today, I was a bit nervous last night, but that’s a wonderful result.”
A rising 12 year old by champion sire Zabeel, Zenaida was the first big purchase on Wednesday for Yulong following on from yesterday when they spent over $19million on 35 mares.
“She’s a mare that, going forward, the pedigree is going to improve and improve,” said Sam Fairgray.
“She’s got the two stakes-winning daughters already and it’s likely we’ll keep the fillies out of her and keep building the family.”
Yulong already have a plan in place for a partner this season and look forward the arrival of her foal by Maurice (Jpn).
“She’ll go to Alabama Express, obviously with a similar sort of cross to Sunshine In Paris and Macroura,” Fairgray said.
“Mr Zhang has had a passion for Zabeel mares for a long time so to get one like her is fantastic.
“Maurice is a good stallion, he’s done well, he missed a year but he’s a very good stallion and we’re not really fussed whether we get a colt or a filly, because Maurice colts are very good and if we get a filly she’s staying at the farm.”
