Breeding and Bloodstock

Paddy Sheehan was there when Winx was born and was by her side as she fought for her life. On Monday, he led her first filly through the Inglis Easter Sale ring where she fetched $10 million.

Widden Stud’s Zoustar enjoyed a marquee first day at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, with four of the top six lots, including a filly and a colt which sold for $2.2 million and $1.9 million respectively.

John Singleton may have sold off his Strawberry Hill operation last year, but his love of the track saw him make his first Easter Yearling Sale purchase in seven years.

On one of the biggest days on the Australian racing calendar, the progeny of lower-profile sires came to the fore.

First-season sire Tassort earned his first Group 1 as a stallion, off the back of a scintillating finish by Manaal, while Riff Rocket joined an illustrious club by winning the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby

For this year at least, some of the best-bred colts Inglis will offer at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale will be relegated to a supporting role at Riverside Stables.

Records are tipped to fall but putting a ballpark figure on the first foal from the legendary Winx remains an exercise in supposition.