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Tasmanian $13,000 buy realises $700,000 at National Broodmare Sale
Still A Star provided Bill Ryan with enough thrills during her racing career to leave the veteran Tasmanian trainer satisfied for life, but she saved one more for the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The daughter of Toronado gave Ryan and connections a dream parting gift when she sold for $700,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
That came after earning $873,190 in a 10-win, 19-start racing career that was highlighted by victory in last year's Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
All that after being bought for just $13,000 at the 2018 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
"It's amazing this horse racing business, I've been in it all my life and just been one of the many battling horse trainers out there and then I get my best horse when I'm about to retire," Ryan, who now trains with daughter Monica, said.
"I always wanted a horse I could take to Melbourne and race in the spring and never got it, we went close a few times but they just weren't quite there, but she did that for me.
"We're really happy with the result and she'll go to a good home, which is what we wanted."
That new home is Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley and Antony Thompson said it was great to see Ryan rewarded for his fantastic work with Still A Star, who is from the Casino Prince mare Lita.
"She's a mare that's taken them from Tasmania to the All-Star Mile and the heights of Flemington and that's what racing is all about," the Widden owner said.
"That's why people buy horses and it's lovely to see them have such a great thrill and a great ride.
"You can tell how much they loved her and loved the journey."
Thompson said a meeting with Widden's highest-profile resident Zoustar awaits Still A Star this spring.
"She's a very attractive mare and she's a really nice outcross, so she'd be a lovely mare for Zoustar," Thompson said.
"She'd be a mare you can breed really nice, attractive commercial yearlings from."