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Gelding by Zoustar purchased by ML Stables for $300,000
Belieber (Zoustar) was the headline act in the Inglis Digital December Sale after he was purchased by Tory Lavalle of ML Stables for a sale-topping price of $300,000 on Wednesday.
Lavalle and his family are chasing a Group 1 to honour the memory of Mick Lavalle – Tory’s brother – who died suddenly in 2014 aged 50.
“My brother raced horses for more than 30 years, many with Kembla Grange trainers, and the family want to continue his legacy,” Lavalle said.
“Our aim is to win a Group 1 in his honour, so we are in the process of building up ML Stables at Kembla Grange with trainer Anthony Mountney.
“We’d like to have 16 in work at all times but with a few babies still to come through, it’s exciting to be starting the new year with a horse like Belieber who is already racing and looks very progressive.”
The gelding was offered by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing and raced in the famous Tait family colours of red with a white cap.
“It’s great to see Belieber top the Inglis Digital December Sale and I think he will provide plenty of enjoyment and a lot of success for his owners,” Waterhouse said.
Olly Tait – who described Belieber as a lovely horse – was full of praise for the Inglis Digital platform, which he has used several times in the past.
“Extremely happy with the result, I certainly thought the horse had every opportunity in that he was exposed to buyers the world over.
“Inglis’ promotion was excellent, the promotional video was fabulous and the work the Inglis team did is very much appreciated,” Tait said.
The son of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) finished fourth on debut in the Breeders' Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) and broke his maiden at Wyong on November 18, while he was last seen running second Taylor Construction Handicap (1100m) on December 4.
Catalogued as Lot 1, the gelding is out of five time-winning Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Sense And Reason and she is herself a daughter of three-time winner Donna Intelligente (Dehere).
Donna Intelligente herself is a half-sister to Group 3 scorer Burning Sands (Marju) as well as Listed winner Jeram New Village (Faltaat).
Further back this is the same family as dual Group 2 scorer Skoozi (Prince Of Praise) and Listed winner Kiri (Prized) - the dam of fellow stakes winner Main Stage (Reliable Man).
During the sale, three other lots broke the six figure mark, with Telemon Thoroughbreds paying $185,000 for winning multiple stakes-placed mare Niccovi (Nicconi).
Catalogued as Lot 242, the mare is out of unraced Charge Forward (Red Ransom) mare Fully Chargeable, who is herself a half-sister to Group 3 scorer Ability (Reward For Effort).
Further afield this is the same family as Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Well Rounded (Reset).
Meanwhile, Cerebellum (Fastnet Rock) - who was offered in foal to Arrowfield Stud-based Dundeel (High Chaparral) - was purchased by Bob McKay for $150,000.
Catalogued as Lot 231, the winning daughter of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) produced a filly by Pierro (Lonhro) in 2019 and she is out of Listed winner Dizlago (Encosta De Lago).
Dizlago herself is out of 2004 Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Dizelle (Zabeel) - the dam of 2017 VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Pinot (Pierro), while the mare also hails from the same family as 1998 Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) Danelagh (Danehill).
Ferguson Bloodstock secured Listed winner Star Encounter (Jeune), the dam of three stakes winners, for $105,000 via the Digital Sale on Wednesday.
Catalogued as Lot 250, the mare is the dam of three-time Group 2 winner Star Exhibit (Statue Of Liberty), Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice), who won the Western Australian Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) in 2017 as well as Listed winner Royal Star (Redoute’s Choice).
At the end of the sale, the December Online Auction grossed $2.64 million, while the clearance rate was 81 per cent.
Inglis Digital has concluded for the year with the December Online Auction smashing the $50 million barrier for overall turnover in 2020 and recording the sixth consecutive top lot to make $200,000 or more.
At the close of trade, Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth reflected on the standout 2020 moments for the platform.
“It’s been immensely satisfying to see the growth of Inglis Digital from a fledgling monthly online sale, to become a trusted and popular avenue for people to trade stock – and the quality of horses continues to raise the bar,” Melmeth said.
“Since it launched in May 2017, Digital has recorded $90.5 million in turnover.
“Obviously 2020 has been a boom year, 43 lots sold for $100,000 or more (82 since 2018), Digital had its first Group 1 winning graduate in Bella Vella ($22,500 2019 April), a new record top lot last sale – when Sneaky Five’s dam Small Minds sold for $410,000 – and the platform was utilised for the Great Southern Sale and Melbourne Gold Sale due to the Victorian lockdown.
“But even more rewarding, is seeing the new owners enjoy success on the racetrack. When Digital graduates win four of seven races at Orange on Monday, we as a team will celebrate it as much as reading about a winner in Macau or a $135,000 graduate like Dance winning in town.”
“We’ve forged relationships with new clients and now have a database of more than 7800 registered bidders.
“We’re excited by the prospect of the platform improving even further in 2021 and look forward to working with buyers and sellers to achieve further outstanding results.”
