Group One winner Funstar has set a world record price for a horse bought through a digital sale.
Prominent Japanese racing identity Katsumi Yoshida has paid $2.7 million for top mare Funstar – a record price for a horse bought through an online auction.
The former Chris Waller-trained galloper sold overnight on Wednesday and was knocked down to Yoshida after he beat off seven other bidders prepared to go over the $1 million mark for the Group One performer.
Funstar’s price tag was also the biggest for a mare sold through any public auction this year.
Managing owner Olly Koolman, who paid $80,000 for Funstar as a yearling, was shocked by the result.
“I’m absolutely stunned. It’s hard to fathom just how much of an amazing result this is,” Koolman said.
“She was a fabulous race filly and mare and we had a lot of fun with her but never in our wildest dreams did we expect she would sell for $2.7 million in any sale, let alone a digital sale.”
Yoshida confirmed Funstar would join her half-sister Youngstar at his Northern Farm in Japan.
He went to $1.4 million to secure Youngstar at last year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
“I am so thrilled that we were able to purchase a beautiful mare,” Yoshida said.
“We have her (half) sister Youngstar and also have mares related to the granddam User Friendly.
“We are looking forward to seeing their progenies winning in Japan.”
A daughter of Cox Plate winner Adelaide, Funstar raced 18 times for five wins and five placings, highlighted by her 2019 Flight Stakes victory.
