Australia’s most valuable race filly, Chayan, is set to target Sydney’s prestigious Princess Series after returning to work ahead of the spring carnival.
Trainer Annabel Archibald revealed the $5.6 million daughter of I Am Invincible has settled back in well at the stable’s Warwick Farm base and is being prepared for the feature races for three-year-old fillies.
Chayan stamped herself as one of the country’s best juveniles last season when she won the Group 2 Reisling Stakes before starting a $5.50 favourite with leading betting apps Australia in the Golden Slipper, where she finished eighth behind Guest House.
Following her juvenile campaign, Chayan became the most expensive race filly ever sold in Australia when she realised $5.6 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Global breeding giants Coolmore and Yulong engaged in a bidding duel lasting more than 10 minutes before Coolmore secured the prized filly.
Archibald, who trains in partnership with her husband Rob, was delighted when Coolmore confirmed Chayan would remain in their care.
“We are just relieved to have Chayan back in the stable for the spring,” Archibald told Racing And Sports.
“She has had a good spell and has come in really well, but she is still a few weeks off a barrier trial.
“I think she will be on time for the second leg [of the Princess Series], the Furious Stakes.”
The Princess Series begins with the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes before continuing through the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and culminating in the Flight Stakes.
Archibald expects Chayan to resume in the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Royal Randwick on September 5 before progressing to the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and ultimately the Group 1 Flight Stakes over 1600 metres.
The trainer believes the filly is capable of improving significantly on what she showed during her four-start juvenile season.
“When we knew she was going through the ring, Rob rang Tom [Magnier] to say we would love to keep training the filly,” Archibald said.
“We have had a bit of luck with Coolmore over the years with the likes of Learning To Fly, so we were very grateful when Coolmore won the battle for Chayan and said the filly will stay with us for next season.”
After purchasing Chayan, Coolmore principal Tom Magnier confirmed the filly would remain with the Archibald stable.
“I think she’d suit a stallion like Super Seth but there’s a lot of racing there yet. It’s over to Rob and Annabel now,” Magnier said.
