Commanding a Fortune at Inglis

Commanding a Fortune at Inglis

After finishing a brave sixth behind Royal Ascot-bound Bentley Biscuit (Peintre

Celebre) in the All-Aged S. (Aus-G1) at Randwick just two days ago, the bonny

gray mare VIRAGE DE FORTUNE (Anabaa) sauntered around in the autumn sun and

lapped up the attention from her considerable throng of admirers.

If those bidding on the dual Group 1-winning daughter of Virage (Kenmare)

were in a sweat, Virage de Fortune was a picture of poise in the sales ring as a

duel between Coolmore and Darley culminated in triumph for the latter at a new

auction record price of A$3.4 million at Inglis' Australian Broodmare Sale in

Sydney Monday.

While Coolmore bid from under the fig tree, Darley opted to send Inglis

director Jonathan D'Arcy into the far corner of the sale pavilion to act on its

behalf. Consigned by Yarraman Park, Scone, agent, as Lot No. 366, the

immaculately presented Virage de Fortune retires with eight wins and three minor

placings from 21 starts and earnings of A$954,100.

The previous broodmare record was A$2.05 million in 2005 for the Danehill

mare Mannington (Aus), sold to Darley and sent to the stud's Jonabell farm near

Lexington, Kentucky.

"This is amazing," said Tim Hughes, managing part-owner of the gray. Hughes

was a fund manager of RG Capital for 20 years and is now executive chairman of

the impressive marketing company Photon, a group of specialist marketing service

companies that specialize in various disciplines. 

"(Agent) James (Bester) bought Virage de Fortune for A$70,000 as a yearling

at Magic Millions, and she went for sale unreserved. Before the yearling sale we

knew there was strong interest and we thought she might make maybe A$2 million

to A$2.5 million, but after the yearling sale, when prices were so strong," he

admitted.

"When she got here she was so calm, everyone was taken by her presence,"

Hughes added. "She has been fantastic. We put together a great group of blokes

to race and they reinvested in the yearling sales so it is a great result."