Champion racehorse Melody Belle will become the most decorated racemare to be offered at public auction when the 14 time Group One winner goes under the hammer at May’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The Gold Coast based auction has today been announced as the selling venue for the superstar New Zealand galloper.
Fortuna Director John Galvin said he would have mixed emotions when she is offered at auction on Day One of the National Broodmare Sale, May 25.
“The decision was made some time ago that 2021 would be her last racing season and our immediate focus has been on her racing campaign,” Galvin noted. “Recently the decision had to be made how and where we would sell her and we have decided the Gold Coast was the best option.”
“Melody Belle has been an absolute life changer for her connections. My wife Jessica has a share and is one of 34 individual owners who are spread right across New Zealand as well as one in Melbourne.”
Right from the start of her career Melody Belle showed she was a star. She won the Karaka Million at her fourth start and then captured the first of her 14 Group Ones in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.
“One of the real keys to her success is her soundness,” Galvin noted. “She’s never had an issue physically and that has seen her continue racing at the highest level as a two, three, four, five and now six-year-old.”
“She has won from 1100 metres to 2000 metres and on Saturday week she will get a chance to add 2400 metres as well. She’s won over every trip and on every type of track.”
Last Saturday week Melody Belle became the most successful Group One racehorse in New Zealand racing history when she won the Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.
“We are so proud of this achievement and it’s been rightly acknowledged.”
Melody Belle is due to race next in the Group One Tancred Stakes at Randwick on April 3 while she holds entries in both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Coolmore Legacy Stakes.
The final two runs for Melody Belle before the National Sale could be the Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast over 1800 metres which Galvin points out is the perfect lead in for the Group One Doomben Cup on May 22.
Galvin praised trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team, headed by her buyer David Ellis, for their incredible efforts in turning their star galloper into the champion she has become.
“Melody Belle’s first season in training came just as Jamie had been appointed co-trainer at Te Akau and he’s been there the whole way through. While there’s been many more since, I know she holds a special place with Jamie as she was his first top line horse.”
“For her ownership group and for Fortuna it’s been an incredible ride. We have just syndicated our 111th yearling and she was number 62.”
“Many of Melody Belle’s New Zealand owners are based in smaller towns and hamlets and all of the owners have become well known in the community and she has really become the people’s horse. She has such a huge following with so many people knowing and supporting those who have a share in New Zealand’s champion.”
The confirmation of Melody Belle’s presence in the catalogue adds a further highlight to what is shaping to be a spectacular catalogue for the 2021 Gold Coast National Sale.
“We are incredibly humbled to be entrusted with the sale of Melody Belle on behalf of Fortuna, Te Akau and her ownership group,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “She’s the horse of a lifetime.”
“There’s never been a horse to have won so many Group One races go to public auction – she presents a very rare opportunity for buyers around the world. She has an incredible physique which goes without saying as she was purchased by one of the great judges in David Ellis as a yearling.”
“The National Sale will present buyers across the whole sale with a truly world class line up of stock – from weanlings and yearlings to racefillies and broodmares. We can’t wait to unveil the catalogues in the coming weeks.”
