Tragedy turns to joy for newlyweds at Easter sale
As seven-figure lot after seven-figure lot marched through the ring on the opening day of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, a couple of vendors at the smaller end of the scale enjoyed a big win after what had been a tough week in the paddocks back at home.
Southern Highlands breeder Richard Lavender and his wife, former Channel Seven Sunrise presenter Sam Armytage, sold their first ever Easter yearling, a Lonhro (Octagonal) colt for $260,000.
But, the milestone result was tainted with a little sadness as it came just days after they lost the young horse’s dam, Sea The Sparkle (Sea The Stars), to a rare illness.
The mare, that was only eight years old and in foal to leading first season sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon), passed away after developing an abscess on her spleen.
“It is very rare. They (Lime Country Thoroughbreds) rang all over the world on how to get advice on how to handle it but there was very little info,” said Lavender after his Lonhro colt, lot 68, sold in the ring.
Lavender, who has spent a lifetime in large scale cattle breeding and cropping on the Liverpool Plains in NSW, was philosophical about the loss.
“Sometimes when things like this happen, good things can then happen and go in a new, upward direction.”
An accomplished horseman and keen polo player, Lavender is new to the thoroughbred breeding business, and has made an encouraging start to his foray.
Sea the Sparkle’s first foal was sold through the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft yesterday to astute judge John Foote who purchased him specifically for the Hong Kong market.
“I don’t know much about racing there but I suspect he has the right temperament for up there. We saw that right from the start with him.”
Lavender owns a property nearby to Lime Country Thoroughbreds at Burradoo and in recent years he’s forged a close friendship with its proprietors, Greg and Jo Griffin, and together they have teamed up for success in the sales ring.
At last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Lavender sold a colt by Starspangledbanner (Choisir) under the Lime Country banner for $90,000.
“I love it, I have enjoyed breeding stock all my life,” he said.
Lavender, 60, wed high-profile TV presenter Sam Armytage in a ceremony on New Year’s Eve and the smitten pair are thoroughly enjoying their new life together in the country surrounded by thoroughbreds.
“It’s something we do together and we love it. I’m more a passenger in this journey but a very contented one. I’m very proud of Richard with this sales result,” said Armytage.
In recent months, Armytage has stepped away from the limelight of commercial television and is now enjoying her new, slower life in the Southern Highlands..
“It’s a good time to step out for some slow living, it’s good for the soul.”
A country girl at heart, the 43-year-old was a 2020 Everest Carnival ambassador and, alongside her husband, has been regularly attending the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, which is in full swing.
Together they have shares in two racehorses including a Pierro (Lonhro) colt that is currently in training with recent Golden Slipper Stakes- (Gr 1, 1200m) winning brothers Michael and Richard Freedman.
“I’ve always loved and enjoyed racing. I love being an ambassador and I like spruiking racing. I think it’s a great sport.”
The pair are now looking forward to the journey that lies ahead with the last foal left by Sea the Sparkle before her passing this week, which is a filly by The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice).
“I’m really excited about it,” said Lavender.