Chaplin took a liking to a winning Is It True mare who was in foal to little known sire Vain Rancher as a broodmare prospect.
Things didn’t start the way Chaplin planned when he lost the first foal of the mare just a few weeks after being foaled.
A couple of year’s later things were taking shape when he sold the first live foal of the mare – a colt by Encosta de Lago for a cool $80,000.
In between time a rising talent on the Perth racing scene Old Comrade raced to national glory when the gelding raced through his classes to graduate to be a multiple Group One winner.
Old Comrade – who’s best wins include an Australian Cup, a Railway Stakes and two victories in the Fruit ‘n’ Veg Stakes – is a half brother to True Believe – the mare Chaplin bought for just $8,000 in Perth.
“At the time I bought her (True Believer), she was a half sister to All the Aces and Old Comrade had not yet raced. I knew All the Aces had a lot of ability and overall she had a top family,” Chaplin recalled.
Chaplin said he felt the colt would sell for a good price at the Melbourne Sale – when offered by Blue Gum Farm – the nursery where Chaplin’s mare is now based full time.
“He’s a lovely colt and I knew he’d sell well, but I really didn’t expect him to sell for that much,” Chaplin added referring to the $320,000 sale price.
The colt, the result of a $9,000 service fee to Encosta de Lago, was purchased by the Cups king Bart Cummings.
“A cracking colt – the best horse on the complex,” Cummings said.
Interestingly, True Believer wasn’t the only top broodmare prospect to be offered at the same sale by similar interests and could have been yours for a real “steal”. The same vendor also offered Marrich Bay – a mare in foal to Marooned – the resultant foal none other than recent Group One winner Hardrada.
by Greg Irvine.
The leading Lots at the Melbourne Premier Yearling sale were:
83 Ch C Encosta de Lago – True Believer (by Is It True (USA)) JB Cummings (NSW) $320,000
305 B C Encosta de Lago – Goldberg (by Geiger Counter (USA)) JB Cummings (NSW) $200,000
350 B C Danehill (USA) – Jullene (NZ) (by Sir Tristram (IRE)) J Blackledge (VIC) $200,000
267 B C Encosta de Lago – Factor (NZ) (by Centaine) R & C McDonald (VIC) $180,000
217 B C Redoute’s Choice – Courtroom Sweetie (by Zeditave) P Perry (NSW) $160,000
184 Ch C King’s Best (USA) – Catnipped (by Rory’s Jester) M Pilkington (VIC) $155,000
72 Br C Danzero – The Roscoe Rose (USA) (by Thorn Dance (USA)) R Croghan (NSW) $150,000
97 Ch C Rory’s Jester – Volkster (NZ) (by Volksraad (GB)) Belhus Racing (WA) $150,000
239 Br F Belong To Me (USA) – Dolcetto (by Canny Lad) Slade B’stk (VIC) $150,000
337 Br F Lion Cavern (USA) – Infinite Charm (by Tristino (NZ)) J Symons (VIC) $150,000
433 Br C Rubiton – My Muse (by Sovereign Red (NZ)) Lauriston T’breds (VIC) $150,000
384 Ch F Grand Lodge (USA) – Like Madonna (by Rory’s Jester) Lakeview Resources $140,000
445 B C Danzero – Northeast Sheila (by Keltrice) R Griffiths (VIC) $140,000
95 B F Encosta de Lago – Versailles Pike (by Palace Music (GB)) Lauriston T’breds (VIC) $135,000
252 Br F Redoute’s Choice – Elfenjer (by Last Tycoon (IRE)) G Rogerson B’stk (NSW) $130,000
290 B/Br C Encosta de Lago – Fun In The Chateau (by Northern Chateau (USA)) J Foote B’stk (QLD) $130,000
329 Br/Blk F Commands – Hula Guest (by Prego (IRE)) J Shannon (VIC) $130,000
171 Ch C Grand Lodge (USA) – Brass (by Prince True (USA)) G Rogerson B’stk (NSW) $120,000
234 Ch F Encosta de Lago – Depredation (by El Qahira (NZ)) G Rogerson B’stk (NSW) $120,000
192 Ch F Grand Lodge (USA) – Chador (by Marscay) Pendant Realty PL (VIC) $115,000
476 B F Encosta de Lago – Pleasure Island (by Century) RG Hore-Lacy (VIC) $115,000
116 B C Rory’s Jester – Zuwanda (by Sir Dapper) N Whitta (NSW) $110,000
389 Ch F Encosta de Lago – Loud and Clear (by Twig Moss (FR) DL Freedman (VIC) $110,000
455 B F Flying Spur – Our Sousy (USA) (by Silver Hawk (USA)) G Rogerson B’stk (NSW) $110,000
479 B F King’s Best (USA) – Political Asylum (by Plush (NZ)) C Little (VIC) $110,000
180 B C Encosta de Lago – Cantinela (by Zoffany (USA)) G Rogerson B’stk (NSW) $105,000
188 Br C Dangerous – Centrullah (by Century) Chefs on the Run (VIC) $105,000
448 Gr F Testa Rossa – Novella (by Kaaptive Edition (NZ)) R & C McDonald (VIC) $105,000
127 Ch C Encosta de Lago – Aerate (by Loosen Up (USA)) G Waterhouse (NSW) $100,000
133 B C Octagonal (NZ) – Alstomeria (GB) (by Petoski (GB)) Newmarc T’breds (VIC) $100,000
179 B F Commands – Call To Duty (by Dehere (USA)) P Perry (NSW) $100,000
298 B/Br C Testa Rossa – Ginette (by Rory’s Jester) Murray L’stk (NSW) $100,000
411 Br C Grand Lodge (USA) – Midnight Mist (by Rubiton) B Mayfield-Smith (VIC) $100,000