There was a buzz of excitement around the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale as a Too Darn Hot nomination soared to an impressive $255,000, capturing the spotlight in a day defined by spirited bidding and heartfelt generosity.
The nomination was offered in a collaboration between Godolphin, Watership Down Stud, and CatWalk, with all proceeds directed towards critical spinal cord injury research. The winning bidder was passionate breeder Taisen Maddern, who described the purchase as “a dream opportunity” and earmarked his Street Boss mare Sliders to benefit from the booking.
A Winning Moment for Charity and Breeding
There was a sense of pride and purpose behind the hammer fall, as the equine community rallied behind a noble cause. Godolphin CEO Andy Makiv expressed his delight at the result, praising the industry’s generosity:
“It’s a wonderful result for CatWalk. The thoroughbred industry gets behind good causes, and this is an extremely important one. Too Darn Hot has quickly stamped himself as an elite young sire, and the support for this nomination shows the confidence breeders have in him and in the initiative.”
Makiv also commended Maddern’s ongoing support, saying, “He has been a great friend of Darley for many years, so it was no surprise he stepped up when it mattered most.”
CatWalk Executive Director Meg Speirs was equally moved by the response:
“The funds raised will go directly towards world-class research into curing spinal cord injuries, offering hope to those living with paralysis. Support like this drives real scientific progress and reminds us that together, we can turn the vision of a cure into reality.”
Maddern’s Dream with Too Darn Hot Nomination
For Maddern, securing a place in Too Darn Hot’s exclusive book was the culmination of persistence and passion.
“I actually had Sliders booked into Too Darn Hot last year, but when he didn’t come out, we missed out,” Maddern revealed. “It’s been hard to get into him, so when I saw the nomination online with Inglis Digital, I thought I’d just buy it.”
With a grin, he added:
“Hopefully, this foal can be the next Broadsiding. That’s the plan — or at least the dream.”
Cold Brew Shines as Second-Top Lot in Inglis Digital Sale
The sale had more highlights, with the in-form four-year-old Cold Brew fetching $180,000. Purchased by Mustr Racing, a new micro-share syndication company, the gelding has been on fire, winning his last three starts across a variety of surfaces.
Trainers Richard and Will Freedman will continue preparing Cold Brew, while Mustr Racing’s Cameron Hay called the acquisition “the perfect first purchase” for the syndication group.
“He’s only been out of the quinella once in eight starts and he’s been winning on heavy, soft, and good going — a perfect fit for us,” Hay said. “We’ll be opening shares for the Alpha Blokes Podcast community in mid-to-late September, so stay tuned.”
Six-Figure Lots and Record-Breaking Results
Alongside Too Darn Hot’s nomination and Cold Brew, Good Sort also crossed the six-figure mark, selling for $130,000.
The August (Late) Sale recorded an impressive gross of $2,822,450, bringing the number of $100,000+ lots sold on Inglis Digital in 2025 to 92 — a milestone that underscores the platform’s growing dominance.
With entries now open for the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale — scheduled from September 5 to 10 — all eyes turn to what promises to be another blockbuster auction. Last year, September’s sales alone turned over $7 million, headlined by standout results like Cinderella Days ($675,000) and Williamsburg ($455,000).
For more exclusive racing stories and updates, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.
For upcoming sales, entries, and full auction details, visit the official Inglis Digital Sale website.
