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| Staff Writer |
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Bella Nipotina smashed the Inglis Chairman's Sale record at Riverside Stables on Thursday night, fetching an eye-popping US$2.76 million as co-owner Michael Christian's Longwood Thoroughbreds secured the reigning The Everest champion.
The frantic bidding war saw Christian, who bred the 7YO daughter of Pride Of Dubai, essentially buying out remaining owners to ensure the exceptional mare remains within the Longwood family.
"It's great to be able to bring her home to where it all started," Christian told Inglis.
"We knew it was always going to be tough to secure her, there was some serious bidding going on, and I'm just proud that we were able to secure her and bring her home."
The US$2.76 million splashed on Bella Nipotina surpasses the previous US$2.36 million record paid for Nimalee at the 2023 Inglis Chairman's Sale.
Bella Nipotina retired following a glittering 57-start career winning 11 races, four at Group One level, with her crowning achievement coming when making history as the first filly or mare to win The Everest in 2024.
Her remarkable stake earnings of US$14.99 million sit only behind the great Winx (US$17.41m) in the all-time Australian record books.
While Bella Nipotina headlined Thursday's prestigious sale, several other mares commanded significant prices. Coolmore paid US$1.84 million for Tiz Invincible, while Ciaron Maher Bloodstock invested US$1.58 million in Too Darn Lizzie.
Arrowfield secured top-flight mare I Am Me for US$1.31 million, while the final lot of the night, Group One winning Amelia's Jewel, fetched US$2.5 million from Coolmore, who plans to send her to the US to be covered by Justify.
Overall, fourteen mares exceeded the US$657,000 mark across the star-studded catalogue, demonstrating the exceptional quality on offer at the prestigious bloodstock auction.