The rarefied air of royalty brought a hush to Australia’s biggest breeding stock sale. The world had come to see Listen Here and this was her moment. They watched on from the sales ring and from around the world via the Magic Millions’ livestreaming feed. They watched on to see a queen make a fleeting public appearance.
Listen Here
But how do you value the equine equivalent of a Faberge Egg? Listen Here has only had two progeny to race. Shooting To Win and Deep Field were stars on the track. Collectively these two colts were sold as stallions for between AUD25 million – 30 million once their racing careers were over. Now Listen Here laps the ring heavily pregnant to champion stallion Medaglia D’Oro.
At the fall of the hammer it was the China Horse Club’s Michael Wallace in partnership with bloodstock agent Bruce Perry who remained. The duo had sat patiently as the bidding opened at AUD2 million and ticked along in one hundred thousand dollar increments. Wallace, managing the interests of the China Horse Club, was on the phone to the club’s chairman, Teo Ah Khing. Perry was looking after the interests of Bruce Neill’s Cressfield Stud. They entered the fray to escalate bidding to AUD3.1 million and knocked out a series of major players. As Listen Here continued to circle the ring bidding ticked to AUD3.2 million and AUD3.3 million before a nerveless Wallace struck an incisive blow at AUD3.4 million. It was enough.
“A comment was made to me immediate after the sale by a leading industry player. He said ‘We have never seen a mare like her in our lifetime’ and he may be right,” Wallace said.
“There were eight bidders still involved as bidding topped AUD2.2 million and that shows just how special Listen Here is. She is a priceless asset and will play an integral role in the club’s breeding program in Australia for many years. Her sons and daughters will hopefully continue her legacy in time to come.”
Chairman Teo was delighted and placed the occasion in an international context.
“Our members have a growing understanding of the business of the thoroughbred industry and Listen Here is a stallion maker. There are not many mares in the world who deserve such a title,” he said.
“This is a family we know very well. We have an interest in Deep Field, who stands at Newgate Farm, and who has been so encouragingly received at stud. It was only logical to seriously consider expanding our involvement in such a family.
“Listen Here will be sent to Bruce Neill’s Cressfield Stud which is a showpiece property and has a wonderful record for growing quality stock. It is an exciting new chapter for the China Horse Club in Australia and reinforces the club’s role as a link between the industry in China and international industries around the world.”
In all the CHC closed the Magic Millions National Bloodstock Sale having secured an interest in fourteen exceptional mares:
- Listen Here Dam of two champions and in foal to a champion sire
- Precious Gem: last start winner of G1 Robert Sangster Classic
- Pasadena Girl: G1 winning mare
- Atlantis Dream: G2 winning mare
- Estonian Princess: G3 winning mare
- Kisses: G3 winning mare
- Radiant: half-sister to a champion filly and daughter of a G1 winner
- Strykum: Stakes winning juvenile
- Crystal Flute: from one of the world’s great families
- Spellbinder: A stakes winning mare in foal to first season sire Shooting To Win
- Total Response: A stakes placed mare in foal to first season sire Wandjina
- Why Be Discrete: A blue-blood mare in foal to champion sire Snitzel
- Honey Flower: Stakes placed mare
- Bless This Child well bred filly in foal to I Am Invincible
If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please email your inquiry to horses@chinahorseclub.com