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Daughter of I Am Invincible sells to Hermitage and Coolmore.

Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson’s faith in Listed-winning mare Vezelay (Shamardal) came to the fore at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Tuesday as a filly out the mare by Yarraman Park-based sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) was purchased by Hermitage and Coolmore for $1,250,000.

Catalogued as Lot 149, the filly is the second foal out of the Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) mare, who was purchased by Widden Stud and David Redvers for $1 million at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale when carrying the filly in utero. 

Thompson said there is always a risk paying that much for a mare at the breeding stock sale and said he felt vindicated by the decision after Tuesday's result. 

"We had to hold our breath for a while, but we can breathe now," said Thompson. "She was a gorgeous mare and we were thrilled when we were able to buy her and when she had that filly it was a huge relief because she was such a lovely foal. All the way through she has been a star.

"It is a great relief for Qatar and all the other partners that came on board. It is a big decision when you push the boat out that far and pay $1 million for a mare but we feel vindicated today when you see her filly sell so well."

Thompson said the filly deserved to break the seven-figure barrier and was delighted to his confidence repaid on Tuesday. 

"I was saying all week that she was a $1 million filly, but what that means you just don't know, because sometimes the market can think differently to me," he said. 

"It was a really good battle and there was a lot of competition for her, with trainers, owners and syndicators that got together and tried to get that filly. 

"There would have been plenty disappointed but the honours go to Guy Mulcaster and obviously he is a very, very good judge there is no one better."

Vezalay herself is herself out of Group 3-placed Tactfully (Flying Spur), making her a half-sister to the dam of Listed winner Sir Frenchie (Choisir). 

The filly's stakes-placed third dam is Discretion (Canny Lad) - the dam of Group 3 winner Royal Discretion (Royal Academy) and Listed scorer Roulettes (Flying Spur), who in turn produced Group 3 winner and now Telemon Thoroughbreds-based stallion Sun City (Zoustar) and Listed scorer Parlophone (I Am Invincible). 

Guy Mulcaster, who was signing the docket on behalf of Hermitage and Coolmore, said the filly had improved since he saw her at Widden a few weeks ago. 

"We saw her on the farm about three weeks ago and we really liked her, but she has just improved in the prep," said Mulcaster. "I took Chris [Waller] to see her on Friday and he really liked her and we are very happy to have got her and we have put a nice group together, with Coolmore and Hermitage. 

"That price was at the top end of our budget, but we are really happy to secure her. The sales have been really strong this year, but the prize-money is so good here in Australia you have got to pay for these really quality fillies. 

"Fillies like that with good pedigrees cost that sort of money and we knew that coming into the sale. She was one of our target horses. Her athleticism is amazing and she took everything in her stride here at the sale and we really loved the way she moved."

I Am Invincible finished the day as the leading stallion by aggregate having 23 sell for $12,145,000 at an average of $528,043.