Former AFL great and Bella Nipotina’s breeder Michael Christian nets monster Magic Millions result
AFL great and breeder Michael Christian has sold the full sister to In Secret for a monster result at the Magic Millions Sales on Wednesday.
The man behind super mares Bella Nipotina and In Secret has struck another blow at the Magic Millions on Wednesday, selling the new top lot for an eye watering $2.3m.
Michael Christian successfully sold the full sister to In Secret to former Byron Bay businessman Ian Moses, in what was another knockout result for the former AFL superstar.
A part-owner in broodmare Eloping, Christian has enjoyed a golden run with her progeny and said Wednesday’s huge return was a result of a strong market at the top end of town.
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“She’s a beautiful filly. When you’re selling – and full credit to Segenhoe – and once you get around that million mark you’ve got to get lucky because there’s only one player,” Christian said.
“When you get to that ($2m) stratosphere and you’ve got two players, then you can get that sort of money.
“The two-year-old we sold here last year, she trialled up sensational recently behind the boom Coolmore Wootten Bassett colt at Warwick Farm during the week. Ciaron has a very high opinion of her and this filly was outstanding.
“The mare has done an incredible job. In Secret was a superstar and without sounding too greedy it was unfortunate for Godolphin that she didn’t train on and run in The Everest.
“She would have been a formidable opponent.”
The filly will head to Sydney trainer John Sargent, who said she was the standout item in the sale.
“I’ve been training for Ian — a fellow Kiwi for a long time and he’s now building a broodmare band,” Sargent said.
“You’ve got to buy the best and I think this was the best filly in the sale today.”
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Moses and Sargent defeated Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster in the bidding war to secure her, with the filly set to play a part in a valuable broodmare band.
“I realised that if you want to be in this business at the top end, you’ve got to put in the investment,” Moses said.
“The long-term strategy is to have at least 10 high-quality broodmares stationed at Coolmore and I’m almost up to ten now on the track and at the stud farm.”
Originally published as Former AFL great and Bella Nipotina’s breeder Michael Christian nets monster Magic Millions result