Manolo Bling topped the Inglis Digital February (Late) Online Sale, which closed Feb. 24, when selling to Highgrove Stud's Ron Gilbert for AU$275,000 (US$195,873, AU$1=US$0.71).
The 5-year-old Grunt mare was offered by Anthony Freedman Racing on behalf of Rob Cummings and the mare's ownership group.
Gilbert confirmed Manolo Bling would be transferred to Kelly Schweida's Queensland stable and continue racing until the end of the season before joining the farm's broodmare band.
"We'll mix things up with her, new trainer, new surroundings, sometimes that helps these mares switch on a bit more again, so we'll try that, but either way, she will go to stud later this year,'' Gilbert said.
"I don't normally buy race mares like her to breed with, I normally buy mares in foal because it's closer to a result but I just really liked the look of this mare, I liked the family, I liked her pedigree, she's won over AU$400,000 and she's already stakes-placed and just really fitted the mold so I'm really happy to have her."
The second-top lot in the sale was the Newgate Farm-offered 3-year-old colt North England, who sold to Lofty Thoroughbreds for AU$200,000.
A further three lots realized six figures in the sale—Absolute Flirt, with an Anamoe filly at foot, made AU$160,000 to Jorshan Investments; Sense Of Honour in foal to Home Affairs sold for AU$150,000 to Ivan Danzo; and Reeh, in foal to Switzerland and with a Unite And Conquer filly at foot, realized AU$120,000 to Blue Oak Equine.
In total, the sale grossed AU$4,783,100 (US$3,406,839). Entries are now open for the March (Early) Sale, and will remain so until midnight March 4. The sale will run from March 6-11. To enter, click here.
