Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith spent large overnight at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale, paying 2.4 million gns for Sumora, the dam of this year’s leading juvenile filly, Maybe.¬†Sumora, a winner of two races including the Listed St Hughes Stakes, also had the added bonus of being a half-sister to the Epsom Oaks heroine Dancing Rain.
Hong Kong based Australian breeder Paul Makin pushing him all the way, but Coolmore’s MV Magnier made the final bid at 2.4 million.
“These sort of mares are very rare, you’ve got Maybe and the Oaks winner there on the page.” Magnier said.”She has been bought for Michael (Tabor) and Derrick (Smith) and we were hoping not to have to pay that much. She’ll be going to Galileo.”
Four lots earlier Magnier had signed for another of the day’s blockbuster lots in Ventura, on behalf of the same owners.
Ventura is the dam of Group 1-winning filly Moonlight Cloud and Cedar Mountain a Listed winner in the States. Magnier had to pay 900,000gns to see off Liam Norris for the daughter of Spectrum. The mare has now passed through the sales ring at Tattersalls four times totalling 1.7 million gns.
“She’s a very nice mare and Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith asked me to get her to send to Pour Moi.” ¬†Magnier explained.