Bella Nipotina Sells for $4.2million

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 8

The highest stake earning mare ever in Australia with the exception of Winx, Everest queen Bella Nipotina was always expected to set the sale ring alight at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday night.

Advertisement

Offered in the star studded draft of her trainer Ciaron Maher, the seven year-old daughter of Pride of Dubai sparked plenty of interests but at the end of the day her breeder and co-owner Michael Christian could not part with the earner of $22million.

Thanks for the memories Bella was a superstar - image Grant Courtney

He bought out the other owners under his Longwood Thoroughbreds banner and Bella Nipotina will be heading back to embark on a stud career at the farm where she was born.

Christian lost her mother Bella Orfana earlier this adding further impetus to the decision to bring Bella home to where she belongs.

“It's been an incredible journey that she's led us on and it's a great thrill to be able to bring her home where it all started. She was bred on the farm and to achieve what she achieved… so to be able to bring her back it's just fantastic,” said Michael Christian.

“I hope she produces a nice foal. I'm sure she will.

“It was always going to be tough to secure her. There were some serious people involved, and I just feel very proud that we've been able to get her and it will be very exciting to get her home.”

“It feels like a bit of a full stop in a way because her racing is finished, but it's a whole new chapter now. So we're looking forward to the next 10 years, 12 years, maybe, who knows and hopefully in that time we can produce some beautiful horses and have a lot more fun.”

No decision has been made as to which stallion will cover the four time Group I winner.

Bella Nipotina has not always been the superstar she is today having made her first trip to the sale ring back in 2019 at Inglis Premier where she made $80,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yarraman Sell $1.2million Mare in Foal to I Am Invincible
Elite South African race mares have made quite an impact in Australia, notably for producing current superstar 3YO filly Autumn Glow and a mare with the right profile in Under Your Spell (SAfr) hit the target at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for Yarraman Park when selling for $1.2million.
Ciaron Maher a $2million Buyer and $2million Seller
In quick succession at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, champion trainer Ciaron Maher was in the limelight as a buyer and seller with I Am Invincible mare Tiz Invincible departing his stable to the tune of $2.8million, while a few lots later he was a purchaser signing for Too Darn Lizzie at $2.4million.
Widden Sell Million Dollar Pair of Mares
In a market dominated by off the track fillies and race mares at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, proven producer Enbihaar proved a hot and timely item and was duly snapped up for $1.6 million in foal to champion sire Zoustar.
One to Watch – Wyong
Corumbene Stud have bred a lot of good horses including a couple of Golden Slipper winners in Sebring and Overreach, who is the dam of an eye-catching maiden winner at Wyong on Thursday.
$2.8million for Estriella
Tom Magnier loves his I Am Invincible mares and having earlier tonight secured Tiz Invincible for $2.8million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, he paid the same amount for her Group II winning stablemate Estriella, who is by the same sire.
Yulong Pay $1.55 million for Semana
The first million dollar mare at Inglis Chairman’s came as somewhat of a surprise given Semana has never won a Group I and has not won any race since February 2024, but the good looking daughter of Winning Rupert sold for $1.55million to Walnut Farm aka Yulong.
Newgate Turn a Quick Profit with $1million for Eagle Nest
Newgate Bloodstock made a savvy investment at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last year paying $300,000 for stakes-placed Shalaa (IRE) mare Eagle Nest and 12 months on they were rewarded when selling her for $1million.
Arrowfield Pay $2million for I Am Me
Dynamic Syndications have enjoyed the ride of a lifetime with I Am Invincible mare I Am Me and it ended with fireworks at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale when the $4.7million earning sprinter was sold to Arrowfield Stud for $2million.
Rich Hill Stud Find Early Value at Inglis Chairman’s
With keen competition expected on the big lots later tonight at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, New Zealand based Rich Hill Stud struck early in the evening and found some serious value purchasing Pierro stakes-winner Poifect for just $250,000.
$1.2 Million for SA Derby Winner Coco Sun
Yulong have an insatiable appetite for classic winning fillies and they snapped up Group I SAJC South Australian Derby winner Coco Sun at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for $1.2million.