Oaks Day Sale Mail – Montefilia Half-Sister Adds Interest

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday November 4

Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday features four stakes races and while the Group I VRC Oaks holds centre stage, the Group III VRC Ottawa Stakes for 2YO’s is a must watch as it features the half-sister to Oaks favourite Montefilia.

Making her debut for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Shalaa (IRE) filly Nice for What has drawn the outside, but has the services of champion jockey Hugh Bowman.

Nice for What made $160,000 as a yearling.

She was a $160,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Ciaron Maher Racing from the Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds draft and is the fifth foal from stakes-placed Shirocco mare Bana Wu (GB), who has had four foals to race for three winners with dual Group I winner Montefilia the star performer.

Montefilia was bred and sold by Tyreel Stud, who sold her dam Bana Wu in 2018 at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale to Victorian breeder Sean Duke for $92,500.

Mr Duke has a yearling colt from Bana Wu by Ribchester (IRE), but no foal this year after she missed to the same sire last spring.

Her new owner will be cheering Nice for What on as Bana Wu was covered again by her sire Shalaa in early September.

Click to see all the Oaks Day Sale Mail at Breednet.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.