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Successful owner/breeder pays $1.1m for former Kiwi mare in-foal to champion stallion

John Singleton has been one of Frankel's staunchest supporters in Australia and on Thursday he added another mare in-foal to the superstar English stallion to his collection.

The Strawberry Hill owner's bloodstock manager Duncan Grimley, in partnership with Bevan Smith, paid $1.1 million for Exceed And Excel four-year-old Key at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

It was the fourth mare in-foal to the Juddmonte stallion to sell for seven figures, but the only one from this part of the world, which Grimley said that was a major part of the appeal.

"I thought she was the best mare in-foal to Frankel in the sale," he said.

"I'm keener to have Frankels out of Southern Hemisphere racemares than Northern Hemisphere racemares and she fit the bill."

Singleton has been sending mares to Frankel ever since he retired to stud, with star performers such as More Joyous and Samantha Miss having visited him.

"We've been keen on Frankel since he first started, we sent his first mare from the Southern Hemisphere to him and we've sent mares to him most years. I just think he's a superstar," Grimley said.

"We've had great results with Frankel, both in the sales ring and racing them. Miss Fabulass was a great mare for us."

Key was sent to Frankel after a career that failed to yield a win, but she did finish second at Group 3 level in New Zealand.

Out of the Lonhro mare Vanilla Princess, who is a daughter of former star racemare Princess Coup, Key is a half-sister to classy Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly Argentia, who is a daughter of Frankel.

Grimley said the sex of Key's first foal, who was produced for sale by Willow Park Stud, would determine whose colours she races in.

"If she has a filly we'll be racing it and if she has a colt we'll be selling it, that's the way we operate," he said.