New Zealand Group 1 winner Provence entered for Chairman’s

Three-time Group 1 winner Provence will be a headline attraction as a racing and breeding proposition at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Bred and owned by Milan Park’s Tony Rider and trained by Stephen Marsh, the Savabeel mare Provence has seven wins and three placings, earning NZ$1,168,240, with her three elite level wins coming in the Thorndon Mile, NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes and Captain Cook Stakes. She also recently ran third in the Group 1 Otaki Maori Classic, beaten less than a length.

Rider said: “People will understand what I mean when they see her at Riverside in May, but she is the most magnificent looking mare, an unbelievable type, an absolute stunner.

“Each of her Group 1 wins have come over the mile and we tried her over 2000m last start at Group 1 level but she just wants it a bit shorter, her turn of foot over the 1400m-1600m is so explosive.

“Her temperament is fantastic, she’s such a calm and relaxed mare and Stephen Marsh talks very highly of her and says she’s one of the best mares he’s ever trained. She’s a great looker with a proper conformation, I have no doubt she will make the most beautiful broodmare but I also believe she has plenty more racing in her as well.”

Inglis Bloodstock sales manager and New Zealand representative Brett Gilding added: “You don’t see triple Group 1-winning mares being offered for public auction very often and Provence is a special offering.”

Provence joins recent entries including Generosity, last-start Group 3 winner Ahha Ahha, Group 1-placed Snow In May, and Group winners Coco Jamboo, Eternal Flame, and Just Feelin’ Lucky, among others.

This year’s sale will start late on Thursday, May 7, at Riverside Stables. Entries close on Friday.