Filly of the Year to be auctioned on Gavelhouse Plus

[Wandering Eyes]

Last season’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles is set to be auctioned via online platform Gavelhouse Plus next month.

The winner of four of her 14 starts and placed on a further six occasions, Jennifer Eccles was a dominant winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), having previously triumphed in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m), Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m).

Jennifer Eccles was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and was a close-up fourth in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) when resuming as a four-year-old.

Cambridge-based bloodstock consultant Adrian Clark, who selected the daughter of Rip Van Winkle as a weanling at Karaka and has managed her racetrack career to date for the Challenge TEN Syndicate, announced the decision to offer the star mare for sale on Monday.

“Jennifer has had some niggly issues as a four-year-old and I’ve decided it’s in the best interests of the horse and the big syndicate who own her, that she be offered to the marketplace via Gavelhouse Plus at this time,” Clark said.

“Jennifer Eccles is something of a rare commodity.

“With so many mares of her ilk having been sold at both the Gold Coast and Sydney recently, a Group One winner who is still only four is extremely hard to buy right now.

“She is a delightful mare, beautiful temperament, well made and it should be noted that she was the Leading NZ 3YO Filly on the 2019/2020 International Ratings.”

Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray pictured with Jennifer Eccles after her win in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Photo: Trish Dunell

Trained throughout her career by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray from their Cambridge base, Jennifer Eccles is being prepared for international buyer scrutiny by Adrian Stanley and Hannah Kettlety of Woburn Farm, near Cambridge. She comes with a breeding certificate and height certificate.

By outstanding miler Rip Van Winkle, a son of Galileo and sire of top gallopers Te Akau Shark and Subpoenaed, Jennifer Eccles is out of the stakes-placed Elnadim mare Platinum Elle, who is in turn out of Group Three performer Zabeel mare Lady Tee.

The athletic mare would be easily mated with a host leading stallions throughout Australasia.

A snapshot of Jennifer Eccles’ electrifying wins as a three-year-old can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/8Y8RAliZIhc

Key dates:

28 June: Mare available for inspection by appointment with Woburn Farm

15 July: Bidding commences

23 July: Final day for bidding

Contacts:

Adrian Clark (Syndicate Manager): +64 (0) 274 954 264

Adrian Stanley/Hannah Kettlety (Woburn Farm): +64 (0) 274 187 304

Shaune Ritchie (Co-trainer): +64 (0) 21 404 133

Haylie Martin (Gavelhouse General Manager): +64 (0) 226 378 127

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