Three-time G1 winner Provence (Savabeel) is the latest star attraction confirmed for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Bred and owned by Tony Rider, the Stephen Marsh-trained Provence has won seven times and placed on a further three occasions and earned NZ$1,168,240 to date.
Provence’s tally of three G1 wins is bettered only by the mighty Probabeel amongst daughters of champion sire Savabeel.
Her first G1 victory came in the Thorndon Mile last year, before backing that performance up with another G1 just eight weeks later in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Ellerslie.
She then added the G1 Captain Cook Stakes before running 3rd – beaten less than a length – in the G1 Otaki Maori Classic last month.
In a decorated career so far, Provence (pictured) has defeated some of New Zealand’s best horses including G1 winners Legarto, Orchestral, Sharp ‘n’ Smart, Campionessa, Pier, Aegon, Belclare, Waitak, La Crique, One Bold Cat, Ladies Man, Jaarffi, Puntura, El Vencedor etc.
Provence will have one more start prior to The Chairman’s Sale where she will attempt to defend her crown in the G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes in a fortnight.
Provence will be offered as a racing and breeding prospect at Chairman’s under her owner Tony Rider’s Milan Park banner.
Rider described Provence as “an absolute stunner’’.
“People will understand what I mean when they see her at Riverside in May, but she is the most magnificent looking mare, an unbelievable type, an absolute stunner,’’ Rider said.
“Each of her Group 1 wins have come over the mile and we tried her over 2000m last start at Group 1 level but she just wants it a bit shorter, her turn of foot over the 1400m-1600m is so explosive.
“Her temperament is fantastic, she’s such a calm and relaxed mare and Stephen Marsh talks very highly of her and says she’s one of the best mares he’s ever trained. She’s a great looker with a proper conformation, I have no doubt she will make the most beautiful broodmare but I also believe she has plenty more racing in her as well.’’
Rider has never attended an Inglis Chairman’s Sale but cannot wait to get to Riverside on Thursday May 7 to experience what is widely regarded as the most enjoyable sale on the global sales calendar.
“I’ve seen the videos and photos and spoken to people and everyone says it’s just the most fabulous event that the best mares need to go to so I was more than happy to come to Chairman’s with Provence,’’ Rider said.
“I rang Andrew Williams and he said to me that a mare like her needs to be going to The Chairman’s Sale and I also spoke to Bruce Perry and he said basically the exact same thing.’’
Inglis Bloodstock Sales Manager and New Zealand representative Brett Gilding was thrilled to have secured Provence for The Chairman’s Sale.
“You don’t see triple G1-winning mares being offered for public auction very often and Provence is a special offering,’’ Gilding said.
“She is a very accomplished race mare but beyond that, she’s particularly good looking and has a sexy pedigree, so she is going to appeal to a huge range of investors, both international and domestic.
“Tony Rider has established Milan Park as one of the best nurseries in New Zealand and it is an honour for Inglis to have the opportunity to showcase his star mare to the world and hopefully give him an incredible first experience of Riverside.’’
Provence joins the recently announced Generosity amongst the star lots for what is shaping to be another intriguing renewal of The Chairman’s Sale.
Other recent additions include last start G3 winner Ahha Ahha, G1 placed Stakes winner Snow In May, Group winners Coco Jamboo, Eternal Flame and Just Feelin’ Lucky, Stakes-winning 2YO Appin Girl as well as the dams of this season’s star 2YOs Fireball and Guest House amongst others.
In its short history, The Chairman’s Sale has become one of the most significant events on the global bloodstock calendar.
In 2025 fillies and mares off the track at The Chairman’s Sale averaged a staggering $879,222, while the top 50% of lots sold at the sale averaged in excess of $1.1m.
Highlight results at The Chairman’s Sale in recent years include the likes of Bella Nipotina ($4.2m) and Amelia’s Jewel ($3.8m) – both from last year’s auction – as well as Nimalee ($3.6m), Montefilia ($3.4m), She’s Extreme ($3.4m), Tutta La Vita ($3.2m), Estriella ($2.8m), Tiz Invincible ($2.8m), Shout The Bar ($2.7m), Celebrity Queen ($2.5m), Too Darn Lizzie ($2.4m), Icebath ($2.3m), Maastricht ($2.25m), Kimochi ($2.2m), In Her Time ($2.2m), I Am Me ($2m), Srikandi ($2m) etc.
This year’s format will mirror that of recent years – a late afternoon start at Riverside on Thursday May 7 with a ‘Where Elegance Meets Excellence’ theme.
Each of the past two G1 Golden Slipper-winning colts, Stay Inside and Shinzo, were sold in utero at the sale.
Other mares offered at Chairman’s include the dams of subsequent G1 winners Autumn Glow, Imperatriz, Home Affairs, Apocalyptic, She’s Extreme and international star In Italian amongst others.
Entries for The Chairman’s Sale must close this coming Friday, March 20.
To enter, contact a member of the Inglis bloodstock team or CLICK HERE.
