$1million for So You Think Mare Banana Queen

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 9

A homebred for Arcella Thoroughbreds, talented So You Think mare Banana Queen has been a favourite of the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable working through her grades over the past three seasons before winning the Group III Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle last year to cap her appeal as a broodmare prospect.

Banana Queen sold for $1million - image Steve Hart

She attracted keen competition at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale before being secured by Nick Wakim’s Hilldene Farm for $1million and is set to race on in the short term at least following her good first up fifth in the Group III Hawkesbury Crown last Saturday.

Banana Queen has the overall record of five wins and four placings from 19 starts with prizemoney just shy of $400,000.

Advertisement

She is a  three-quarter sister to Group III placed Vanuatu and is the best of six winners from six foals to race from unraced Fastnet Rock mare Tropicana Lady, a full sister to Group I winner Irish Lights, the dam of Group II winner Omei Sword, stakes-winners Lipizzaner and Just steel, who ran in last week’s Kentucky Derby.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tajana Makes Brilliant Return in Breeders’ Stakes
The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 16
Here is the full list of 118 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Consecutive Wins for Farnan's Ninja
Highlighted as a Breednet One To Watch off the back of his impressive debut win, the Michael Freedman trained 3yo Farnan gelding Ninja continued his winning form, heading to the city on Saturday to record consecutive race victories.
Another Promising Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) will be parading at Coolmore next Sunday and the champion son of Siyouni is warming to the task of siring winners with Venetian Prince opening his account at Newbury in the UK overnight.
Five Straight and a Stakes Victory for Pop Award
There is a myriad of Snitzel sons at stud this spring, but for value and proven credentials it’s impossible to go past Rosemont Stud’s Cox Plate hero Shamus Award, who posted his first stakes-winner of the new season when exciting mare Pop Award landed the Listed MRC Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
$1.2million for Mare in Foal to Frankel
There are four mares to be offered at Magic Millions National in foal to Juddmonte Farm’s champion sire Frankel and the first of them Grande Dame (GB) sold for $1.2million to James Bester Bloodstock/Morning Rise Stud.
Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory
Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
More Success for Pierro's War Eternal
Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past A$750,000 with a determined victory in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Vain Stakes Success For I Am Invincible Colt Jimmy Recard
Bennett Racing appear to have another potential topline colt in their ownership as I Am Invincible colt Jimmy Recard records his third consecutive win, taking out the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Pride And Proven - Private Eye Wins The G2 PB Lawrence Stakes
Taking his earnings past $12.3m for connections with his thirteenth career win, and seventh at black type level, Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride’s gallant war-horse Private Eye (Al Maher) recorded and easy watch victory in the Gr2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.