INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
DECEMBER 4, 2013
Immortal Verse sells for 4.7 million guineas
by Emma Berry and Kelsey Riley
With the scene set once again for a truly memorable moment in the Tattersalls
sales ring, Merriebelle Stable’s Immortal Verse (Pivotal) did not disappoint the
assembled crowd as she set a new European record for a broodmare sold at auction
when knocked down for 4.7 million guineas to Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland.
The second-highest grossing day in European auction history saw dramatic
rises across the board, with the turnover of 34,478,500 guineas up by 45 percent
and the average by 40 percent at 181,466 guineas. The median recorded a gain of
16 percent at 76,500 guineas, with the clearance rate remaining static at 81
percent (190 sold).
Just as 24 hours earlier when Dancing Rain (Danehill Dancer) went under the
hammer, the bidding for Lot 1830 was opened at 2 million guineas, this time by
James Wigan, the man responsible for buying the previous record-holder Magical
Romance (Barathea), who was sold in foal to Pivotal for 4.6 million guineas in
2006. Wigan had to play second fiddle this time around, however, with Michael
Goodbody also making an attempt to secure the granddaughter of Kilfrush Stud’s
Mill Princess.
While Nicoll was not prepared to disclose the identity of his client,
consignor Luke Lillingston of Mount Coote Stud confirmed the dual Group
1-winning miler has been bought for a new partnership with Coolmore.
“I just said to MV (Magnier) that given ordinary luck, in 50 years’ time
they’ll still be enjoying success with her family. Going to Coolmore gives her
every chance,” said Lillingston, who went on to pay a tearful tribute to his
father, Alan. “From our point of view at Mount Coote, it was great to have the
chance to sell her and to create a new European record. We couldn’t have done
this without the work put in by my parents. My father hasn’t been well lately
and he wasn’t able to be here, but he will be so proud. We have a wonderful team
at the stud and they’ve done a fantastic job.”
Immortal Verse, winner of the Coronation S. (Eng-G1) and Prix Jacques le
Marois (Fr-G1) for trainer Robert Collet, was sold in foal to Dansili. She had
been bought earlier this year by Texans Charles Noell and John Moores, who
operate as Merriebelle Stable and purchased all the bloodstock owned by Kilfrush
Stud in Ireland.
Peter Bance of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, advisor to his old high
school friend Noell, said: “She’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse and it’s great to
be able to come here to do this. If you want to get to the top of the racing
world, she’s the type of mare to get you there, so I wish her new owners the
very best of luck. Brendan Hayes (former Kilfrush manager) deserves all the
credit for her — he planned the mating and has developed the family, and Luke’s
done a great job preparing her for the sale.”