Galileo filly leads the way at Australia's Inglis Classic Sale

Galileo filly leads the way at Australia's Inglis Classic

Sale

A filly by Galileo (Ire) topped Sunday's strong opening session of the Inglis

Classic Yearling Sale with a final bid of A$200,000. The bay yearling, consigned

by Frank Peisah's Lomar Park Stud, is out of Queen's Suite (Marauding), a half

sister to Australian Group 2 winner Regal Chamber (Archregent). She was

purchased by Edmund Bateman and will be trained with Clarry Connors at Warwick

Farm.

"We thought she was a very good sort to race, with potential to breed from

her afterwards," successful bidder Bateman said.

"She was outstanding and created a lot of interest," consigner Peisah said,

"which I guess is vindication of all the work you put in, but I don't

necessarily think it's a measure -- it's nice for them to go on and win a race."

Lee Freedman purchased the second-highest lot of the day from the consignment

of Broadwater Farm. Freedman paid A$170,000 for a son of Danehill Dancer out of

the unraced mare Portrait (Octagonal). The yearling is a three-quarter brother

in blood to Australian Group 2-winning sprinter Jet Spur (Flying Spur).

"I've been trying to buy a couple of the nicer colts today and have missed

out, so I'm really pleased to get him," Freedman said. "He's a perfect specimen,

just like Choisir, by the same sire and being from a very fast family, he's a

good buy."

Gai Waterhouse was underbidder on the international phenom Choisir at the

2001 Classic Sale, but the trainer didn't miss out on a son of the champion

yesterday, going to A$135,000 to secure a colt from Choisir's first crop.

"I think Choisir was the best sprinter Australia has seen for quite some

time," Waterhouse said. "He was a champion two-year-old and three-year-old, then

went to Europe and won there, too. I think he is perhaps the most attractive

first-season sire standing in Australia."

Waterhouse purchased Lot No. 34, out of the Woodman mare La Minita, for the

Star Thoroughbreds syndication. The yearling was consigned by Philippa Duncan

Bloodstock.

For the session, Inglis sold 186 horses for an aggregate of A$7,302,500. The

average, A$39,261, rose 10 percent from the 2005 opening session.

The Classic Sale continues on Monday.