The 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale delivered a night to remember at Riverside Stables as Group 1 Everest-winning mare Bella Nipotina fetched an astonishing $4.2 million, making her the equal third-highest priced mare ever sold in the Southern Hemisphere.
Offered by Ciaron Maher Racing and purchased by her breeder and part-owner Michael Christian of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Bella Nipotina topped a star-studded catalogue of elite fillies and mares. Christian, who already held 50% ownership alongside his family, bought out fellow partners to secure full ownership as the mare transitions to her broodmare career.
“It’s a big commitment but worth every cent to bring her home,” said an emotional Christian. “The joy we’ll get watching her progeny is something money can’t buy.”
The evening shattered multiple records. The average price reached $706,883, marking an 18% increase from the 2024 sale. The total gross hit $54.43 million, surpassing the previous Chairman’s Sale record by over $9.5 million. A total of 14 mares sold for seven figures, the most ever recorded at a Chairman’s Sale. Coolmore emerged as the leading buyer of the night, purchasing Amelia’s Jewel for $3.8 million, Tiz Invincible and Estriella for $2.8 million each, spending a total of $9.4 million. Meanwhile, Ciaron Maher Racing topped the vendor list by selling all eight mares offered for a combined $12.77 million.
Among the highlights was Amelia’s Jewel, the final lot of the night, who was sold for $3.8 million to Coolmore. She will now travel to the U.S. to be covered by Justify on Southern Hemisphere time.
“This is the premier sale for elite mares,” said Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “It’s beautifully run by Inglis, the energy is infectious, and the atmosphere makes it an unmissable event.”
The sale also featured prominent international participation, with buyers from China, Japan, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, and across Australia bidding on the high-quality offerings.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch described the night as “overwhelmingly positive,” noting the sale’s success in celebrating elite racing mares and transitioning them into valuable broodmares.
With the Australian Broodmare Sale following immediately, Hutch and his team are optimistic about the week’s conclusion, with 105 mares catalogued including those in foal to major sires like Maurice, Home Affairs, So You Think, and Shinzo.
For breeders, owners, and buyers, the Chairman’s Sale reaffirmed its place as the Southern Hemisphere’s most prestigious platform for elite female bloodstock.
