Photo: Trish Dunell
Proisir already held a very special place in Philip Brown’s heart, and results in the Karaka sale ring on Monday have only added to his affection for the exceptional Rich Hill Stud stallion.
Brown has seen his colours carried to a total of six Group One victories by Proisir’s daughters Levante and Legarto, who between them have earned more than $2.5 million in stakes.
On Monday, three Proisir yearlings bred by the Ancroft Stud owner were offered at Karaka by Kilgravin Lodge. They sold for a total of $1.22 million, culminating in a $600,000 price tag for the final lot of the day.
“Proisir is the gift that never stops giving, as far as I’m concerned,” Brown said. “There’s the racehorses, and then today we’ve got $260,000 for a colt, $360,000 for another one and our $600,000 filly, so thank you, Proisir.”
Catalogued as Lot 480, the $600,000 filly is out of the Group Three-placed mare The Fairy’s Kiss, whose six foals to race are all winners and are headed by Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Ulanova, Listed winner Steal My Kisses and the stakes-placed Butter Blonde and Butch Cassidy.
The Fairy’s Kiss is also a half-sister to Dame Giselle, whose five wins include the Gr.2 Reisling Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Furious Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
Lot 480 was bought by Michael Wallace, who also purchased Ulanova for $150,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022.
“As you can see in the catalogue, this is a very well-related filly, full of black type,” Brown said. “The mare’s a half-sister to Dame Giselle, who was a great performer in Australia.
“So it was one of those things. I was reluctant to sell this horse, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to keep the cashflow going in this business.
“Michael Wallace bought Ulanova with Gandharvi, and I was thrilled that he bought this filly for the same connections. He’s got great faith in this family. It’s an old Wallace family, from Cent Home et cetera. So she’s gone to a good home and I’ve got a good price. I’m very pleased.”
Brown said he was far from disappointed in Legarto’s second placing as a red-hot favourite in Saturday’s inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie, and he revealed he has some other progeny of Proisir coming through.
“Legarto was gallant in defeat,” he said. “All credit to the winner. He kicked on the turn and is a class horse. They ran a very fast time, so they skipped along and on a track that wasn’t exactly perfect, but I’m sure it will bed down and become a great surface for us in the future.
“She goes to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) next start, and we just can’t wait to get her over 2000m, where she can sit back and relax a bit more and then come home.
“We’ve got a Proisir two-year-old that the Legarto team are in – with Ken Kelso, naturally. Ken’s got 10 percent as well, and I hear she’s a lovely mover. But I just don’t think lightning can strike three times in the one place!
“I’ve got another three filly foals by him in the paddock, and they look lovely. I’m just a huge fan of the horse, and I’ll just keep breeding to him. If we keep having this sort of luck, why wouldn’t you?
“Levante is at Arrowfield and had a positive test to Snitzel in September. Everything she does, she does well. I’m looking forward to seeing her with a foal at foot when I get over there.”
