Kepitis keeps ‘collector’s item’ Winx filly in the family for $10 million

The auction of the first foal out of champion racemare Winx has matched the hype with the filly stunning the global thoroughbred industry in fetching a record-breaking $10 million.

In a historic two minutes and six seconds of selling in front of a packed auditorium at Inglis’ Riverside Stables complex on Monday, the Pierro filly, Lot 391, lived up to her star billing at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

And in a bid that smashes the record for a thoroughbred yearling sold at public auction in Australia and a thoroughbred yearling filly worldwide, Debbie Kepitis had the last say.

Kepitis, who shared ownership of Winx with Peter Tighe and the late Richard Treweeke, said her deep connection to one of Australian racing’s greatest racehorses, ensured the filly would not fall into offshore hands.

“I didn’t come here to buy this horse, originally,” Kepitis revealed.

“But in the last few weeks we decided if we could buy her we would.

“I am privileged to secure this filly on behalf of my family to hopefully see if she can get to the racetrack.

“If she can’t get to the racetrack she’ll be a fabulous mum.

“She’s Australian-bred and it’s great to have her a part of the family.

“Hopefully she’ll do a Winx but it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t.”

There has never been a yearling sold in Australia – and perhaps the world – with as much anticipation as Lot 391 on Monday.

“I am privileged to secure this filly on behalf of my family to hopefully see if she can get to the racetrack.”

And when auctioneer Jonathan D’Arcy’s gavel fell after the ninth bid, Kepitis, bidding under her Woppitt Bloodstock banner fended off determined American investor John Stewart.

Bidding on the filly opened at $2 million and increased in two $500,000 increments to $3 million before it started to get into rare air.

Stewart made the fourth bid that matched an Australian yearling sale record at $5 million only for Kepitis to respond at $6 million.

With Inglis managing director Mark Webster taking directions from the US-based Stewart via telephone, the American upped the ante to $7.5 million.

Kepitis kept her nerve, offering an $8 million bid before Stewart, who vowed before the sale he “doesn’t get outbid”, fired his last shot at $9 million. Stewart hung up when Kepitis went to eight figures.

She has already given the filly a stable name and until a racing moniker is registered, she will be known as “Winnie”.

Chris Waller will continue his association with the Winx story as the trainer who will guide the racing journey of her daughter.

Black Caviar’s half-brother, by Redoute’s Choice, was previously Australia’s most expensive yearling sold at auction.

He was knocked down to the bid of subsequent disgraced Melbourne racing identity Bill Vlahos, signing for $5 million under the BC3 Thoroughbreds syndication during the 2013 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

BC3 was also behind the record-breaking purchase of Belle Couture, also a half-sister to Black Caviar by Redoute’s Choice, in 2012.

She fetched $2.6 million at Easter, a figure matched by multiple Group 1 winner Sunlight’s sister at last year’s Magic Millions sale.

That figure stood as an Australian sales record for a filly until about 2.35pm (AEST) on Monday.

The most expensive yearling filly this year is the daughter of Zoustar and Prompt Response, sold for $2.2 million to James Harron Bloodstock on the first day of the Easter sale on Monday.

Stewart has announced himself as an emerging player on the global bloodstock stage, arriving with a huge splash on the American scene, spending more than $US25 million in 10 weeks during 2023.

Mission accomplished. I said before that my goal was for the filly to stay in Australia. Congratulations to @DKepitis and everyone in Australia!

The winx filly is right where she belongs. ❤️❤️

I hope I played a small part in discouraging some of the international players out… https://t.co/kbGOHn86cK

— Jstewartrr (@jstewartrr) April 8, 2024

“How can anyone think this was a bad outcome? I am so happy for Debbie. Well played. Lots of respect,” Stewart posted on social media.

A founding and managing partner of private equity firm MiddleGround and buying as Resolute Racing, Stewart had already been active at Easter, securing five Lots before Winx’s daughter came into the sale ring.

With cash to spare after losing out on a piece of Australian racing history, Stewart paid $3 million for a filly by I Am Invincible out of the Group 1-winning mare Booker.

The Winx filly was sold as part of Coolmore’s Easter draft and the breeding giant’s Tom Magnier said much had unfolded behind the scenes to achieve Monday’s result.

“It’s really fitting this filly is going to the Kepitis family. It’s just the perfect story,” Magnier said.

“John Stewart was very confident of getting the filly.

“But when you come up against Debbie and her will and her determination, I knew she was going to bring a very high figure because someone is buying history.

“They are buying a classic and a collector’s item and there’s only one person who deserved that today and that was Debbie and the whole family.”