James Bester Bloodstock secured the first mare offered in foal to Frankel on Thursday at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when paying $1million for the Blue Sky Premium consigned mare Kapralova (USA).
An unraced daughter of champion sire War Front, Kapralova is in foal first season to Frankel and is a sister to Group I winner Avenge, Group III winner Liguria and half-sister to stakes-winner Lira.
Bester did not reveal his client, but indicated Kapralova may head to Victoria.
“She was always, obviously being in-foal to Frankel and a full sister to a Group 1 winner and another Group 3 winner, going to be that kind of price I thought,” said Bester, who was prepared to pay more.
“Normally when one sees these full sisters to very good horses in-foal to Frankel or that quality of stallion, one is disappointed by the physique as often they are the weak sister or the ugly ducklings, but this was far from the case here.
“I found out that this filly herself had shown a lot of ability but cracked a knee early in training.
“She had the physique of one that should have run and of course her full sister won a Group I, her full brother won a Group III, so she wasn‘t just the poor relation.
“She had the physique and the action and she moved very well. I thought she was a very good play.
“Of all the Frankels, (mares in foal to him) she had the strongest first dam and I thought one of the best physiques.”
