Skip to Content

SA sprint start fetches $1.9m at Broodmare Sale

South Australian Group 1-winning mare Bella Vella has fetched a whopping $1.9 million at today’s Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

The mare, winner of the 2020 Group 1 TAB Classic (Sangster Stakes) at Morphettville, was sold to Victorian-based Rosemont Stud earlier this afternoon.

Bella Vella was a recycled horse that famously gave Morphettville trainer Will Clarken his first Group 1 win, leading throughout to beat a star-studded field of fillies and mares in last year’s 1200m WFA classic, ridden by local hoop Todd Pannell.

Sold for $100,000 as a yearling by Willow Park Stud at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bella Vella passed through four different stables before landing with Clarken, who paid just $22,500 for her in April 2019, via the Inglis Digital Sale.

She became the first online sale graduate to win a Group 1 race, helping to accelerate rising star Clarken’s progression through the ranks.

By Commands out of Forget The Weather, Bella Vella was retired earlier this year, ending her career with 10 wins and over $900,000 in prizemoney.

When retiring Bella Vella after an unplaced run at Rosehill in March, Clarken reflected on what she meant to his career.

“Since arriving in my stable in May 2019, the good fortune and profile she has brought to Clarken Racing has been untold and far beyond our expectations…” he said.

“The overwhelming enthusiasm she put into her race-day performances and her unique character made her an exceptional horse. She was tough, genuine, professional and a pleasure to work with…”

After having several trainers, including Gai Waterhouse and Michael Moroney, Bella Vella became a sprint star under Clarken’s care.

Last September Bella Vella added the Group 2 McEwen Stakes over 1000m at Moonee Valley to her resume, when ridden by Jamie Kah.

Three weeks later she finished third in Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley behind Pippie.

Underlining her love affair with The Valley, Bella Vella was also the winner of the 55 Second Challenge (955m) last year.

Earlier this year she finished a brave third behind Eduardo and Nature Strip in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes over 1000m at Randwick.

“She has repaid this countless times over and will be held in high esteem as the first of what is hopefully many G1 winners on Clarken Racing’s honour roll,” Clarken said.

When the hammer went down on Bella Vella for $1.9 million it continued a booming 2021 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, which just hours earlier saw New Zealand 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle sold for $2.6 million.

Post categories

Racing SA - Racing Racing SA - Stories Racing SA - Latest News