Col McKenna has paid $2.6 million for his favourite horse, buying his partners out of Jameka at the National Broodmare Sale so he can retain the triple Group One winner for breeding.
McKenna raced Jameka with a syndicate but on Tuesday his Halo Racing Services paid what is the top price so far at the annual sale conducted by Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
Trained by Ciaron Maher to win the 2015 VRC Oaks, 2016 Caulfield Cup and the 2017 BMW, Jameka’s racing career was cut short by travel sickness.
“She’s been very good to us. She’s won nearly $5 million so I don’t think it’s a big outlay,” McKenna told broadcaster racing.com.
“My wife wanted her back and she’s got her back so she’s happy.
“We love these horses and they’re our lives.”
McKenna said he thought Jameka’s best win was her last in the BMW.
Other mares to realise more than $1 million on the opening day of the sale are Omei Sword ($1.7 million), Silent Sedition ($1.5 million) and Abbey Marie ($1.4 million).
Prominent Japanese owner Katsumi Yoshida bought 2017 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition while bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne snared 2015 Schweppes Oaks winner Abbey Marie and Group One-placed Omei Sword.
Hawthorne told Sky Racing, Omei Sword would head overseas to be mated with a leading northern hemisphere stallion.
Silent Sedition’s trainer Andrew Noblet praised the mare who gave him his first Group One win.
“Sad to see Silent Sedition leave my stable but she will be given every opportunity now as she commences her breeding life,” he said on Twitter.
“She gave the stable our first Group One win, what a tough mare she was on the racetrack.
“Thanks to her connections for their support!”
The sale continues until Thursday.
