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Champion and 14-time Group 1 winner to sell on the Gold Coast in May
Multiple Group 1-winning mare Melody Belle (Commands) will be offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale in May.
The daughter of Commands (Danehill) broke Sunline's (Desert Sun) record for the most Group 1 wins in New Zealand racing history when she landed her 14th victory at that level in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) on March 13.
Melody Belle kicked off her stakes-winning haul with a victory in the 2017 Karaka Million (RL, 1200m), while the first of her 14 wins at the top-level came when she landed the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) three months later and she has so far won 19 of 38 career starts, which has seen her accumulate $4,004,057 in career prize-money.
The six-year-old mare will likely get a few more chances to add her to her Group 1 collection, with her next target the HE Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) at Rosehill on April 3, while she also holds entries for both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and Coolmore Legacy Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on April 17.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch told Racing & Sports Bloodstock on Thursday that it was an honour to be entrusted to sell such a rare commodity.
"It's an absolute coup for Magic Millions," Bowditch said. "It's a mare that Clint Donovan has worked extremely hard to get, he's worked closely with the ownership group to get to this point and it's fantastic.
"She's very rare. It's never been done before - a mare who has won 14 Group 1 races, going through an auction ring. She'll be there for everyone to bid on, worldwide.
"She's the complete package. She was bought as a yearling by one of the world's best judges in David Ellis, she's an outstanding physical, her race record speaks for itself and she's got a very appealing pedigree to go with it. It's a cliche but she does tick a lot of boxes.
"What a fantastic way for her career to end. Culminating with her racing through the winter carnival right up to the sale. We'll be very excited to follow her progress."
Melody Belle was bought for NZ$57,500 by David Ellis at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Haunui Farm. She is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate and managing owner John Galvin said there would be mixed emotions when the mare is offered on May 25 at the National Sale.
"The decision was made some time ago that 2021 would be her last racing season and our immediate focus has been on her racing campaign," Galvin said. "Recently the decision had to be made how and where we would sell her and we have decided the Gold Coast was the best option.
"Melody Belle has been an absolute life changer for her connections. My wife Jessica has a share and is one of 34 individual owners who are spread right across New Zealand as well as one in Melbourne.
"One of the real keys to her success is her soundness," Galvin noted. "She's never had an issue physically and that has seen her continue racing at the highest level as a two, three, four, five and now six-year-old.
"She has won from 1100 metres to 2000 metres and on Saturday week she will get a chance to add 2400 metres as well. She's won over every trip and on every type of track."
The final two runs for Melody Belle before the National Sale could be the A D Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) which would act as a good lead-up for the Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) on May 22.
Galvin was quick to heap praise on trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team, headed by her buyer David Ellis, for their incredible efforts in turning Melody Belle into a multiple Group 1-winning champion.
"Melody Belle's first season in training came just as Jamie had been appointed co-trainer at Te Akau and he's been there the whole way through. While there's been many more since, I know she holds a special place with Jamie as she was his first top line horse.
"For her ownership group and for Fortuna it's been an incredible ride. We have just syndicated our 111th yearling and she was number 62.
"Many of Melody Belle's New Zealand owners are based in smaller towns and hamlets and all of the owners have become well known in the community and she has really become the people's horse. She has such a huge following with so many people knowing and supporting those who have a share in New Zealand's champion."
Bred by Marie Leicester, Melody Belle is out of winning Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare Meleka Belle, making her a half-sister to three-time winner Exaltation (Not A Single Doubt).
Bowditch said the auction house was in the process of finalising the catalogue, but was excited about the lots they have already secured, which includes 38 broodmares and race fillies, as well as 21 weanlings from the Shadwell dispersal.
"We are still well over a fortnight, probably three to four weeks off finalising the catalogue but we're excited already," he said.
"There is a lot of depth to it. There's great quality all the way through on top of the Shadwell dispersal and many quality mares outside of Melody Belle. It's going to be a fantastic three day sale."
The sale will run from May 25 - 28.
