A one per cent share in The Everest-bound sprinter Ninja has changed hands for $55,000, placing an implied valuation of $5.5 million on the Michael Freedman-trained four-year-old.
The small ownership interest was offered as Lot 153 in the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale and was purchased by Glenugie-based owner David Blumberg just 10 days before Ninja contests the $20 million feature at Randwick.
By Farnan, Ninja has established himself among Australia’s leading young sprinters with five victories from 10 starts, headed by wins in the Group 2 Missile Stakes, Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.
Ninja will represent John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds slot in The Everest, with MyRacehorse also involved in the arrangement. Camilleri bred the gelding and retained an ownership interest.
Blumberg, who has been involved in racehorse ownership for around 15 years, said his interest in Ninja predated the sprinter’s eye-catching barrier trial performance against reigning Everest champion Ka Ying Rising.
“I’ve been following Ninja for a while and was interested in this share before the barrier trial win, I’d actually bid before the trial and then when he came out and beat Ka Ying Rising hard held, I knew I was going to have to increase my budget because I really wanted him.”
Blumberg also indicated Ninja could be aimed at the Golden Eagle following his Everest assignment.
Vendor Gary Diamond acknowledged $55,000 represented a significant price for a one per cent interest in a gelding but said the opportunity to buy into an Everest contender had considerable appeal.
“Even though it’s a lot of money for a 1% share in a gelding, in a way the final price doesn’t surprise me at the same time because a lot of people want a share in a G1 horse, the Everest is becoming the most popular race in Australia and it’s a small percentage so it’s more affordable.”
While Ninja generated plenty of attention, he was not the highest-priced offering of the Inglis Digital sale.
That honour went to Chris Waller-trained Defensemen, who was offered by Coolmore and purchased by We Bloodstock for $200,000.
