The Yulong buying spree continued at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on Tuesday when Yulong secured dual Group I winning Choisir mare Snapdancer for $3.2million from the draft of Sullivan Bloodstock.
A $180,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase for Spicer Thoroughbreds, Snapdancer was trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and was a slow burn success story.
She improved with every preparation winning the Group I SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) last year and then the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes (1400m) at her final start before injury curtailed her career.
Retired with earnings of $2million, Snapdancer has delivered yet another big pay day for her owners with today’s sale.
“We knew that the bigger players were going to be on the horse at that level. We were hoping Yulong, Coolmore and Mr Yoshida were all there and they were,” said Brad Spicer.
“Sherah (Sullivan), a lot of credit has got to do to her as well. Just a great journey. I think everyone would be relieved that it has put a full stop on her career.
“Bit sad as well but excited because we’re going to see he progeny go through the run year after year.
“She showed form early on and she kept improving and the excitement (of the owners) kept growing.
“She’s a dream horse for what we go and source at yearling sales. To see her on a racetrack and to see her here today, she’s ticked every box along the way.
“We’re grateful to be involved in a horse like her.”
Sherah Sullivan was relieved and excited to see the star mare sell to Yulong for the second highest price of today’s session..
“Unbelievable to see. I’ve only just gone out on my own and to have the honour of a mare like that has been magnificent,” Sherah Sullivan said.
“Really emotional. A lot of pressure to match it with the best and to get the result with these guys is well deserved as well. It has been massive today.
“She’s a champ. She’s a bit like Zabeel and those good horses - they stand and prick their ears at the right time and she’s paraded like a champion all week. She’s never turned an ear. She’s been so good.”
Snapdancer has an international Black Type pedigree from imported Galileo mare Snapdragon (IRE).
“Mr Zhang loves Galileo, she’s out of a Galileo mare, and Choisir is going to be a good broodmare sire,” said Sam Fairgray.
“She’s a big, strong multiple Group I winner, so she ticked all the boxes as they say.
“Everybody wants to try and take home these good-quality mares and we’re just fortunate enough that Mr Zhang wants them the most.”
