Brilliant Return for Sister to $1.65million Colt

Tara Madgwick - Monday December 9

A full sister to the I Am Invincible two year-old colt that topped the NZB Ready to Run Sale for a record breaking $1.65million, talented mare Irish Legacy delivered an impressive fresh-up victory in New Zealand on Saturday for Roger James and Robert Wellwood.

Irish Legacy and Ryan Elliot powered away with Saturday's TAB 1200 at Ellerslie.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Irish Legacy, a daughter of multiple Australian Group I winning mare Shillelagh, made her four-year-old debut at Ellerslie on Saturday, after four appearances last term included a third placing in the Group III Mufhasa Stakes (1200m).

Backed into odds-on favouritism in the TAB 1200, Irish Legacy was patiently handled by Ryan Elliot early, easing into a midfield position on the back of her younger stablemate Osteria. A wall of horses were in front of the mare nearing the 250m, but Elliot quickly reverted to the inside and once she found clear air, Irish Legacy put the field away comfortably.

Wellwood was rapt with the performance, with the ultimate goal to boost her black-type record for Christopher Grace, who bred and co-owns the blue-blooded mare that has two wins from five starts.

“She was very impressive, maturity has been a big thing for her both physically and mentally,” he said. “She’s not the easiest filly, but she’s certainly grown up a lot.

Advertisement

“She got a bit of black-type at three so clearly the ability was there, but to see her sprint and put them away as easily as she did yesterday, it was a nice statement.

“I think we’ll work through the grades, but she’s by I Am Invincible out of a Group One winner, so the more black-type we can get, the better. She has been retained by her breeder, so we want to find some black-type at some point.”

$1.65million I Am Invincible colt from Shillelagh

Irish Legacy is the first foal of Shillelagh, whose two year-old colt produced the fastest breeze up at the NZB Ready to Run and was subsequently bought by David Ellis.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.
Highview Stud Announce 2025 Fees
With a host of quality performers from its proven lineup – Divine Prophet, Santos and Wrote – over the past 12 months, along with plenty of excitement about the pending arrival of Mr Mozart’s first foals, New Zealand’s Highview Stud has announced stallion fees for 2025.
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
$2.1million Frankel Mare - Samantha Miss Legacy Ignites MM National
Back in 2009, the most expensive mare sold in Australia was Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who was bought by John Singleton for $3.85million and today at the Magic Millions National Sale two of her daughters sold for $2.1million and $1.25million, both going to Yulong.
Newhaven Park Confirm 2025 Fees
One week after Newhaven Park bred, raised and sold Cool Archie recorded his second successive juvenile stakes race victory in the Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic at Doomben, Newhaven Park stud principal John Kelly has confirmed the 2025 service fees for the first-crop 2-year-old’s sire Cool Aza Beel (NZ), as well as the farm’s two associate stallions Xtravagant (NZ) and Mo’Unga&nb
Waikato Stud to Cheer Derby Runners
Waikato Stud will have strength in numbers to add to its success rate in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and boost its seasonal tally at the top level.
The Boss Lady Bounces Back in G3 Belmont Sprint
Tough Street Boss (USA) mare The Boss Lady lived up to her name with a hard fought win in the G3 Belmont Sprint yesterday.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
Trials this morning at Rosehill were run on a heavy 9 so horses were well held together and not asked for too much, but there were still a couple of intriguing unraced heat winners by Extreme Choice and Justify (USA), plus we got another look at the $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Sunlight.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 28
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Odinson tops May (Late) Sale at $160,000
The Listed Inglis Nursery winner Odinson topped today’s May (Late) Online Sale, selling to Pure Bloodstock for $160,000.