Top class Harry Angel (IRE) mare Stretan Angel has done everything bar win an actual Group I race, but with five top four finishes in elite races, she’s morally a G1 winner and Arrowfield Stud recognized her achievements when paying $1.6million for her at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday.
Consigned in the Yarraman Park draft for her big ownership group, Stretan Angel has been a star for the Phillip Stokes stable since winning the Listed SAJC Dequetteville Stakes at just her second start as a juvenile.
She has gone on to win over $1.3million with a highlight win in the Group I VRC Danehill Stakes.
Stretan Angel was a savvy $64,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase from Raheen Stud for Phillip Stokes/Rick Connolly Bloodstock and her pedigree has taken a big upswing this year.
Her two year-old half-brother is brilliant colt Stretan Ruler, who won the Group II ATC Silver Slipper and her yearling full brother was the second highest priced youngster at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this year when selling for $540,000.
There is more to come from Sretan as she had a colt by Harry Angel (IRE) last spring and is now in foal to City of Troy (USA).
A rare commodity being completely free of Danehill blood, Stretan Angel will have plenty of options at Arrowfield Stud with The Autumn Sun an obvious choice.
“I liked everything about her. I liked the pedigree. I like the way she looked. I had a good look at her, and I liked her performance,” said Arrowfield Stud boss, John Messara.
“A three-times Group 1 placed in best races - the Goodwood, the Newmarket, Lightning Stakes - those sort of races.
“She’ll suit our horse, The Autumn Sun, perfectly. We’re buying mares to suit the horses that we’ve got and that mare we bought for that purpose.
“I am a big believer in The Autumn Sun. You can see what he has done. He’s got a very good strike rate and he can throw a champion. I think he’s had five or six group one winners already.
“I compared him with Snitzel at the same age and he’s ahead of Snitzel at the same age. Snitzel was always a slow starter, but I think there is much to come from The Autumn Sun.”
