Newgate Farm’s super sire Extreme Choice only had one yearling to go through the ring at Magic Millions on Friday, but she was from I Am Invincible’s Group I winner I Am A Star and she sold like a star fetching $900,000 to the bid of Kia Ora Stud/Shane Nichols Racing.
Consigned by Newgate Farm, the filly is the third foal of I Am a Star, who raced with great success for owner Matthew Sandblom and Newgate, winning the Group I VRC Myer Stakes with numerous Group wins and placings and earnings topping $1.5million.
Shane Nichols trained I Am a Star and will be preparing this filly as well.
“We always knew she was going to be popular. She’s by a stallion who is flying at the moment and there’s not that many to select from,” said Shane Nichols.
“This is probably one of the better mares that he has received. We were lucky to be able to partner with Kia Ora and secure her.
“She’s got a fairly significant value for the rest of her life and lets hope she makes it better on the racecourse.”
I Am a Star was a modest yearling purchase, snapped up by James Harron for just $40,000 at Inglis Classic back in 2015 for Matthew Sandblom, but Shane Nichols sees similarities between his former stable star and her $900,000 filly.
“She is a chestnut and I Am A Star was bay, but they have a similar physique and I think over the next three months she’ll improve significantly,” Nichols said.
“She is a little bigger than I Am A Star was at the same stage, but athletic and has a good action.
“More importantly she has a good attitude and handled the sales process really well.
“Well prepared by Newgate and we hope Matthew Sandblom will retain a small portion and race her in partnership with Kia Ora.”
Kia Ora have had a busy sale launching their exciting young stallions Farnan and Prague as well as purchasing some lovely fillies and colts at this sale.
“This is a horse that I loved at the farm inspections – I thought she was the best filly by the stallion – and she’s got an amazing pedigree,” said Kia Ora Stud’s Like Wilkinson.
“I remember I Am A Star when ‘Nicho’ trained her and it’s the perfect relationship.
“We’ve already got a couple of horses in the stable and we were happy to be involved.”
Tracing in tail female line back to international blue hen Franfreluche, I Am a Star produced another filly by Extreme Choice last spring and is back in foal to him again.
Extreme Choice has four more yearlings to sell in Book 1 on Saturday night.
