Superstar mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni), a G1 winner of over $4.1m in prizemoney, will join what is already a stellar cast for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale to be held at Riverside Stables in Sydney on May 8.
The brilliant mare, owned and bred by West Australian racing identity Peter Walsh, is one of the most extraordinarily talented horses in Australasian racing over the past number of seasons, with her performances attracting a seemingly endless range of superlatives.
An unbeaten, three-start 2YO season culminated with an effortless win in the prestigious G2 Karrakatta Plate, prompting then trainer Simon Miller to describe her as a “Ferrari”.
At just her seventh start, taking on older horses at weight for age in the early summer, Amelia's Jewel won the time honoured G1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m defeating 14 rivals including multiple G1 winner Cascadian.
Her incredible versatility was in evidence when, as an autumn 3YO, she was beaten less than 0.1 of a length in the $4m The Quokka by star sprinter Overpass, with champion Bella Nipotina in arrears, as well as the likes of Royal Ascot G1 winner Asfoora and Uncommon James.
Transferred to Melbourne for the spring of her 4YO season, she set a new course record for a mile at Moonee Valley when winning the G2 Stocks Stakes.
On that occasion, she beat both Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge amongst others, with the former winning 3 G1s and earning the title of the world’s highest-rated mare over the course of her next seven starts.
Further outstanding efforts followed, including a win in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes, as well as narrow defeats in both the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and again, the $4m The Quokka.
For Walsh, Amelia’s Jewel has been the horse of a lifetime.
“She means so much to us,'' Walsh said.
"It’s not an easy decision to sell her but I’ve got the mother at home so we’ll keep breeding the family and racing the family. I’m only selling her because of my age, I’m almost 70 so somebody a bit younger can enjoy her for the rest of her time.
“She’s perfectly sound and could easily race on if her buyer wants to do so, or she’s going to make one hell of a broodmare when that phase of her life comes too.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have had some great horses but she’s by far the best. She won so many good races, she raced basically in Group company her whole career, she did it against the best in the west and then over east and was unlucky not to have more big wins next to her name, that’s for sure.
“I think the best thing about her was her mental toughness and versatility. She could win from 1000m to 1800m, she could fly from the back or she could put herself in a race and be on speed and win. There was nothing she couldn’t do.''
Amelia’s Jewel will be consigned at the Chairman’s Sale by Segenhoe Stud, which is managed by Walsh’s long-time friend and confidant Peter O’Brien.
“Obviously her race record is there for all to see, but from the day that she was born here, Amelia’s Jewel was a standout as a type,” O’Brien said.
“As she has matured and developed, I think it is fair to say that she has blossomed into as good-looking a mare as you could ever wish to see.
“I have no doubt that people are going to be blown away when they see her in the flesh.
“Her dam, Bumbasina, lives with us and her early record as a producer is astounding, with her first foal being Amelia’s Jewel and her next runner being Bosustow, who is a Stakes winner and G1 placed as a 2YO and 3YO, so she is in ‘blue hen’ territory already.''
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch described it as an “honour” to be offering Amelia’s Jewel at the Chairman’s Sale.
“I was lucky enough to meet Peter Walsh early on in my time at Coolmore, so have enjoyed following the career of Amelia’s Jewel and know how much she means to both Peter and Annie,'' Hutch said.
“Clearly she was freakishly talented and while her accomplishments are incredible, I think it’s fair to say that her race record doesn’t quite do justice to her fantastic ability.
“Never did I imagine that we would get the chance to bring her to market, so it really is a truly special opportunity and I have no doubt that she will attract worldwide interest.''
Amelia’s Jewel will be joined in the supplementary catalogue by an ever-growing list of high-class fillies and mares which will include, amongst others, dual G1 placed Tulsi (The Autumn Sun), proven Stakes producer Mousai (Fastnet Rock) and promising 2YO filly Strada Varenna (Street Boss).
The supplementary catalogue for the Chairman’s Sale will remain open for entries until April 24.
To view the catalogue for the Chairman’s Sale - which includes the likes of Bella Nipotina, I Am Me, Too Darn Lizzie, Tiz Invincible, Coco Sun, Royal Merchant, Estriella, Grinzinger Belle, Semana, Eagle Nest and many others - CLICK HERE.
