This years Golden Slipper favourite Chayan has delivered one of the most extraordinary sale results in Australian racing history, fetching a staggering $5.6 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale sale.
Prepared by Annabel and Ron Archibald, the talented filly had gone to the Golden Slipper as favourite after a dazzling win in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes, marking her as a filly of immense promise. However, few could have predicted the scale of what unfolded in the sale ring.
Offered by Newgate on behalf of owner Eric Koh, Chayan handled the parade at Riverside Stable with professionalism, drawing a large crowd as heavyweight operations Coolmore and Yulong went head-to-head in a fierce bidding battle.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier stood ringside with his team, while Yulong bid remotely via the ‘green screen’, with the price quickly soaring past $2 million, then $3 million and $4 million before Magnier secured the filly with a final bid of $5.6 million.
The figure makes Chayan the most expensive horse in training ever sold by Inglis, representing a phenomenal return on investment after Koh purchased her for $250,000 as a yearling from Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the Magic Millions sale.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable… I came here thinking maybe 3.6m, but to go beyond 4million and then 5 million is just unbelievable,” said an elated Eric Koh.
“I have a heavy heart now to lose her and obviously she’s special. From day one I inspected her three times, and then to see her here today, solid, nice, not 100% in front, but that is why she was cheap back then and I was able to afford to buy her.”
Koh explained the decision to offer Chayan at the sale was made after discussions with Inglis, Newgate and a trusted confidant.
“Having bought horses and attended sales, this is the biggest result and achievement for myself, so I am very happy and very satisfied,” he said.
“Like I said, I have a heavy heart and am sad to lose her, but happy for Tom and Coolmore and I think she has huge potential ahead.”
Chayan is out of Group-winning Snitzel mare Lubiton, who was later sold by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm for $400,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Ridgeport Holdings.
Lubiton now resides at Yarraman Park and is currently in foal to Chayan’s sire I Am Invincible.