More Than Looks Mating for $355k Cleo Cat

Cleo Cat emerged as the headline act in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Sale, with Yulong securing the recently retired mare for $355,000. Offered by trainer Tom Dabernig on behalf of her owners, she drew strong interest in a sale that generated $3,207,600 in total turnover. Only three lots broke the $200,000 mark, with Lindsey Smith's Yellow Sam bringing $305,000 and Caste fetching $255,000, while Gambler also cracked six figures at $115,000. Yulong's Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray described Cleo Cat as "a good, fast mare from a nice family, a really good looking mare" and said she would head straight to their new stallion More Than Looks, noting she was a strong match "on pedigree and as a physical with him." The result aligned with their valuation range of $300,000 - $350,000, and Fairgray added, "More Than Looks is getting his share of mares now and we can't wait to show him to the public at our stallion parade from tomorrow." Dabernig praised the ease of the sales process, crediting Inglis staff for a hitch-free experience. "I'm happy with the price, she deserved to make good money and she's worth every penny. She's a well performed mare and a good physical with a good page," he said, adding that while injury curtailed her career, she still showed enough talent to have been a strong racing proposition at her best. "We wish Yulong all the best with her as a broodmare, I'm sure they'll look back and think she was a great addition to their broodmare band." The day's second-highest price was Yellow Sam, knocked down to Peter Dunn of Dodmark Thoroughbreds for $305,000. The 6YO mare will remain in training with Smith for now, beginning with Saturday's Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, where she is rated a $19 chance with Ladbrokes. "I'll give Lindsey a call and introduce myself and tell him everything is as per usual, just keep doing what you're doing," Dunn said, noting she is still being aimed at a Group 1 race in the coming weeks. Dunn, who was drawn to her breeding and relatively light race record, intends to race Yellow Sam for the next month or so before a likely transition to stud—though continued success could extend her campaign. He also praised the Inglis Digital platform, citing past positive selling experiences and a long relationship with Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch.

Yulong is planning a More Than Looks mating with Cleo Cat (pic: Yulong)