Bel Esprit-Fleetness filly 30/7/2008

Stallion in dash to stud
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But auctioneers often struggled to tempt reasonable bids when broodmares were sold on Sunday. The five-year-old Grand Lodge mare Fleetness, in foal to Bel Esprit, topped prices when purchased by local buyer Elizabeth Kirwan for $29,000. Top trainer Fred Kersley was the underbidder on Fleetness. “I’m looking for mares to send to Cape North,” Kersley said. “He was a good WA Guineas winner for me and we never saw the best of him. I’ve sent four mares to Cape North. He was mated to 60 mares in his first stud season, last spring.” Magic Millions managing-director David Chester, of Queensland, who shared auctioneering at the Perth sale, was philosophical about a string of low prices. “The top and middle sections of the market remained strong,” Chester said. “But it was a battle to sell horses from the lower scale. A lot of buyers got bargains. But I’m sure prices will be up again at next year’s WA yearling sale. Perth racing’s prizemoney is very good.”