Immortal Verse sells for 4.7 million guineas

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

DECEMBER 4, 2013

Immortal Verse sells for 4.7 million guineas

by Emma Berry and Kelsey Riley

With the scene set once again for a truly memorable moment in the Tattersalls

sales ring, Merriebelle Stable's Immortal Verse (Pivotal) did not disappoint the

assembled crowd as she set a new European record for a broodmare sold at auction

when knocked down for 4.7 million guineas to Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland.

The second-highest grossing day in European auction history saw dramatic

rises across the board, with the turnover of 34,478,500 guineas up by 45 percent

and the average by 40 percent at 181,466 guineas. The median recorded a gain of

16 percent at 76,500 guineas, with the clearance rate remaining static at 81

percent (190 sold).

Just as 24 hours earlier when Dancing Rain (Danehill Dancer) went under the

hammer, the bidding for Lot 1830 was opened at 2 million guineas, this time by

James Wigan, the man responsible for buying the previous record-holder Magical

Romance (Barathea), who was sold in foal to Pivotal for 4.6 million guineas in

2006. Wigan had to play second fiddle this time around, however, with Michael

Goodbody also making an attempt to secure the granddaughter of Kilfrush Stud's

Mill Princess.

While Nicoll was not prepared to disclose the identity of his client,

consignor Luke Lillingston of Mount Coote Stud confirmed the dual Group

1-winning miler has been bought for a new partnership with Coolmore.

"I just said to MV (Magnier) that given ordinary luck, in 50 years' time

they'll still be enjoying success with her family. Going to Coolmore gives her

every chance," said Lillingston, who went on to pay a tearful tribute to his

father, Alan. "From our point of view at Mount Coote, it was great to have the

chance to sell her and to create a new European record. We couldn't have done

this without the work put in by my parents. My father hasn't been well lately

and he wasn't able to be here, but he will be so proud. We have a wonderful team

at the stud and they've done a fantastic job."

Immortal Verse, winner of the Coronation S. (Eng-G1) and Prix Jacques le

Marois (Fr-G1) for trainer Robert Collet, was sold in foal to Dansili. She had

been bought earlier this year by Texans Charles Noell and John Moores, who

operate as Merriebelle Stable and purchased all the bloodstock owned by Kilfrush

Stud in Ireland.

Peter Bance of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, advisor to his old high

school friend Noell, said: "She's a once-in-a-lifetime horse and it's great to

be able to come here to do this. If you want to get to the top of the racing

world, she's the type of mare to get you there, so I wish her new owners the

very best of luck. Brendan Hayes (former Kilfrush manager) deserves all the

credit for her -- he planned the mating and has developed the family, and Luke's

done a great job preparing her for the sale."