James Harron Buys Lady Laguna for $2.5million

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday May 27

Astute bloodstock agent James Harron is no stranger to success at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale having purchased elite $6million earning Group I sprinter Sunshine in Paris at the Gold Coast for $3.9million in 2023.

He was active on Tuesday signing for Group I winning mare Lady Laguna, who was offered in the Newgate Consignment for her OTI  Racing group of owners.

Lady Laguna won the G1 Canterbury Stakes and sold for $2.5million - image Steve Hart

Lady Laguna was bought cheaply out of the paddock from Spendthrift Farm by OTI Racing and given to Annabel Neasham to train and was one of the first horses to put her on the map.

From the first crop of unheralded I Am Invincible stallion Overshare, she won her first two starts as a two year-old in November 2021 at Eagle Farm and Rosehill and never looked back.

Lady Laguna improved with every preparation and has the imposing record of seven wins and 15 placings from 35 starts with prizemoney of $2.6million.

“She’s an outstanding mare. Really tough, durable, resilient, across all age groups,” said Harron.

Advertisement

“Just a stunning individual who presented in incredible health. Very excited to get her. I think that is what we’ve come to learn that these mares are worth. Very hard to match a group one like that.

“Delighted to get her. We’ll get her back home and work out a mating and go from there. The plan was to see how it went this evening. You never quite know what but it is great to get her.”

Lady Laguna is the lone winner to date for her dam Catalina de Lago, who is now with Kingstar Farm after they purchased her at this sale in 2022 for $180,000.

Catalina de Lago has been a tricky breeder of late, but did produce a colt by State of Rest (IRE) last spring and was then covered by I Am Invincible son King’s Gambit, so the resulting foal will be a three-quarter sibling to Lady Laguna.

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Promising Winner for Yes Yes Yes
Relocated to Gooree Stud this spring, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes has kept doing what he does best in racking up winners with the Ciaron Maher trained four year-old Flamboyant Lad opening his account at Geelong on Friday.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Exclusive opportunity to purchase nomination in Too Darn Hot
Exciting racing and breeding prospects – plus a nomination in Champion First and Second Season Sire Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) – headline a diverse catalogue of 302 lots for the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale.
One to Watch – Geelong
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic had a promising debut winner at Sandown on Wednesday in Humble Trader and he kept up the good work at Geelong on Friday when his stakes-placed filly Rohesia cast off maiden status in style.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.