TE Akau Racing’s star mare Avantage set an online world record when selling for NZ$4.1 million to Tom Magnier through New Zealand Bloodstock’s Gavelhouse.com on Wednesday night.

Retired following a tending injury leading into Saturday’s Group 1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings, the nine-time Group 1 winner by Fastnet Rock was a big loss for trainer Jamie Richards and his team. “We’re all absolutely gutted about Avantage but unfortunately this can happen in racing,” said Richards.

Te Akau’s loss was Coolmore’s gain as bidding spiralled upwards as the deadline loomed as Magnier bid under the moniker of ‘Danehill1986’. “We love Fastnet Rock mares, and she has won more Group 1 races than any of them,” said Magnier. “He is making his presence felt as a broodmare sire throughout the world, and she is one of his best daughters. A mare like her needs to go to an elite stallion and thankfully there are a plethora of options for her here at Coolmore.”

The Australian-bred six-year-old out of the Zabeel mare Asavant won 16 races and was placed eight times in 28 starts. She won the 2YO Karaka Million having been sold for $210,000 in 2017 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

Avantage becomes the third highest priced mare sold in the southern hemisphere with only Milanova at Aus$5 million in 2008 and Sunlight at Aus$4.2 million in 2020 ahead of her. All three mares were bought by Coolmore.

Repeat success

With Avantage scratched from the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings the door opened for Callsign Mav to repeat last year’s winning effort. The John Bary-trained son of Atlante was positive from the gates, eventually finding the lead and controlling affairs.

Slipped some rein on the bend he extended away as only Spring Tide could muster a challenge. Strong to the line, Callsign Mav held on by a head from the Darci Brahma gelding Spring Tide with the Cape Blanco gelding Masetto five lengths away in third.

“He’s a different horse now though, bigger and stronger and we got it done today. This is my 11th Group 1, but first in the yellow colours, so that makes it pretty special,” said Bary.

“We will be here in two more weeks (Windsor Park Stud Stakes), for another Group 1. Hopefully he can keep moving forward and it will be off to the Cox Plate after that.”