With the intent to add diversity to the Sheralee Estate breeding program, Michael and Terry-Ann Sherrin joined Jim on a tour of the Northern Hemisphere broodmare sales in November, taking in a trip to the Breeders’ Cup as well as a visit to see some of the best stallions in the world.
There was exceptional depth to the quality of mares on offer at both the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November Breeding Stock sales in Kentucky and we were very fortunate to purchase the Grade 3 winning three-year-old Chardy Party for USD$325,000 (A$500,000) from Day 1 of the Keeneland sale. After breaking her maiden on the turf in Kentucky the unbeaten daughter of Dark Angel dug deep to win the G3 Softly Soaring Stakes at Belmont Park, New York earlier this year. Chardy Party is from the 2yo Listed winning Pastoral Pursuits mare Spiritual Lady and is a complete outcross to Danehill. She will have unlimited options for stallions in Australia but she will visit Frankel on Southern Hemisphere time in her maiden season next year.
The next stop to Newmarket, United Kingdom proved very productive at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale purchasing two high-quality mares each with unique plans for the future.
Romantic Rival, a four-year-old daughter of leading sire and broodmare sire Shamardal was purchased for 300,000gns (A$575,000). A relatively lightly raced mare, Romantic Rival had a very lucrative season on the track and picked up placings in the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster and Listed October Stakes at Ascot. Her stakes winning dam, Sense of Fun (Distorted Humor) is a full sister to Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Aesop’s Fable. Romantic Rival’s pedigree directly traces back to Epsom Oaks winner Snow Bride who produced Champion three-year-old and Epsom Derby winner Lammtarra. Shamardal is widely regarded as one of the best broodmare sires in the world which is backed up by his 10 individual Group 1 winners across both hemispheres and a tally of 83 stakes winners from his daughters.
“Mares by Shamardal are pretty hard to come by, he’s an outstanding broodmare sire and Romantic Rival goes back to one of Sheikh Mohammed’s best families.”
Romantic Rival is also destined for a date with Frankel next year on Southern Hemisphere time. The Frankel / Shamardal cross has produced Australian Group 1 success with standout performer Converge winning the JJ Atkins as a two-year-old and the Randwick Guineas in the following season.
The second lot acquired in Newmarket is talented race filly Show of Stars, also for 300,000gns. The filly by Showcasing placed in the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes following a fifth placing in a strong edition of the Irish Oaks. The quality continues into her pedigree with the dam Gloryette by Raven’s Pass being a half to Group 3 winning sires Elusive Pimpernel (Elusive Quality) and Palavicini (Giant’s Causeway). She impressed with her physique and athleticism and will return to Australia in January to race on and target the feature races for mares in the Spring next year.
“There are so many races in Australia that are right up her alley from a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter… There’s The Five Diamonds in the Spring in Sydney next year which is a two-million-dollar race over 1800m restricted to five-year-olds - so that’ll be her ultimate goal.”
The three mares were made with Queensland based owner/breeders Michael and Terry-Ann Sherrin of Sheralee Estate. Current runners under their banner include Group 1 winner and 2022 Queensland Horse of the Year, Apache Chase who was purchased by Michael at the Magic Millions March sale in 2019.
