This month’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast received an incredible update when rising staying star Femminile won the Group One SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville yesterday.
Already a stakes winner as a two-year-old, the daughter of Dundeel beat the boys, sweeping the South Australian blue riband courtesy of a powerful home straight charge.
One of two fillies contesting the Derby, the Phillip Stokes-trained star shot to the front over the concluding stages under local rider Lachlan Neindorf and then comfortably held out the late charge from race favourite Statuario.
It was a timely elite level win for Femminile who has joined the supplementary catalogue for the National Broodmare Sale alongside fellow OTI Racing Group One winner Lady Laguna.
Femminile has been catalogued as Lot 561 and she will be presented at the Gold Coast as part of the Newgate Consignment.
Tommy Stokes, deputising for his father, was naturally beaming from the winner’s stall in the moments after the race.
“We’re just so proud,” Stokes said. “This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat leading into today.”
“Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville, it’s a big operation now. The team puts in a lot of work, mum and dad, she spends a lot of time on the farm there.”
“She’s just been prepped up to a tee, and the back up really suited, stepping up in trip. We were doing a bit of a rain dance before today, but she didn’t need it.”
“Lachie gave her an absolute peach. It was quite an effortless watch in the end. I’m just very proud, especially another winner for OTI being a Group One, it’s really special.”
Stokes said the stable was proud to be able to deliver for the filly and her connections at a time when she is preparing for the National Broodmare Sale.
“So it just adds so much value to her. She’s actually due to be sold after this prep. So it’s massive, she’s super valuable now.”
It was the second Group One win for Neindorf, who ironically won his first in last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes aboard another Stokes-trained National Sale bound runner in Climbing Star (Zoustar).
“She really respected me today, relaxed beautifully, especially when that tempo slackened up a bit. It was a bit messy and a few horses got pulling, but she just copped it all,” Neindorf said.
With Femminile’s Derby win, the National Broodmare Sale now has 12 Group One winners catalogued including nine straight off the track.
“The catalogue just keeps getting better and better,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “Femminile was sensational yesterday and she has got a bright future ahead as an elite racing and breeding prospect.”
Femminile will go under the hammer on Day One of the National Broodmare Sale on May 27. Supplementary entries for the sale close on May 12.
