Tofane the star attraction at Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
Star mare Tofane (Ocean Park) looks set to light up the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale after it was confirmed that the four-time Group 1 winner will go under the hammer at the Gold Coast in May.
The Michael Moroney-trained six-year-old had been set to be offered as part of the Newgate Consignment at last year’s National Broodmare Sale before a last minute change of heart by connections saw her withdrawn to continue her racing career, a decision which subsequently proved to be a fruitful one as she added more big-race glory to her already glittering record.
Now a $3.4 million earner and one of the country’s most talented sprinters, the electrifying daughter of Ocean Park (Thorn Park), who is scheduled to run in next week’s $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m), will be a star attraction when offered as one of the elite mares through the Newgate Consignment.
An eight-time winner and eight-time placegetter from just 28 starts, Tofane shot to prominence in 2019 with back-to-back Group race wins before flying home to beat Pierata (Pierro) in a memorable running of the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).
Last June she added another pair of Group 1 victories – the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) and the Tattersall’s Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) during a highly successful Winter Carnival.
Tofane kicked off her current racing campaign with a brilliant win in the CF Orr Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield before a close up third in the Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).
“There’s not much she hasn’t done,” Tofane’s part owner Rupert Legh said. “When you compare her to other mares – she’s done it all. She’s not only beaten her own sex, she’s won at weight for age, a handicap – she’s ticking every box.
“The other good thing is, she has done it in three states – Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. What makes her special is she can run on any leg and on any type of ground. She’s a purchaser’s dream.”
Legh said there would be mixed emotions when she is finally sold in late May.
“She’s such a valuable mare that she’s out of my league to breed with. She deserves the very best and for all buyers, wherever they are in the world, to have that opportunity.
“Tofane will race next in the All-Star Mile and then head to Sydney – there’s a few good Group 1 options and what races she could run in will be worked out. It’s a good problem to have – an owner’s dream to have that problem.”
As well as being an outstanding racemare, Tofane comes with a first-class pedigree. She is one of three stakes performers produced by the Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Baggy Green – a three-quarter sister to Funstar (Adelaide) and half-sister to Youngstar (High Chaparral).
Tofane will be one of a number of outstanding race fillies to go under the hammer on the opening day of the National Broodmare Sale, May 24.
“We are truly honoured to be offering a mare the calibre of Tofane,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said. “We thank connections for entrusting us to market their incredible performer to a worldwide audience.”
“Over the past couple of seasons Tofane has proven herself as one of the country’s best sprinters and she would be a standout broodmare prospect on any farm around the world.”
The 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale will be held from May 24 to 26. Entries close on March 18 – for more details click here.