Autumn Angel Sells for AU$1.225 Million in Inglis Digital Auction

Just one week after retiring due to a tendon injury, Australian Oaks (G1) winner Autumn Angel was sold for AU$1.225 million (approximately US$846,493) in an Inglis Digital sale on October 1. Syndicator Wylie Dalziel, who had managed Autumn Angel’s racing career, expressed relief at the "silver lining" following the mare’s forced retirement.

Purchased by Walnut Farm, a Yulong associate, the mare attracted competitive bidding, with two other parties vying for her once bids hit the seven-figure mark. Vin Cox, representing Walnut Farm, confirmed that Autumn Angel would be bred to a Yulong stallion this spring, though the specific stallion has yet to be decided. "She’s a particularly nice mare and will fit in well with our broodmare band," Cox stated. "She's a Group 1 winner and by The Autumn Sun, a stallion on track to become one of the most prominent in the country."

Autumn Angel, a daughter of four-time stakes winner Angel of Mercy, was originally purchased for $230,000 by Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She retires with three stakes wins to her name and career earnings of nearly AU$1.89 million.

Dalziel expressed mixed emotions about the sale, noting the disappointment of the injury but recognising the success of the auction. "It’s been a whirlwind week," he said. "We’re realistic about the situation, and the AU$1.225 million sale has returned smiles to faces."

Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch praised Dalziel’s success, highlighting his ability to turn investments into significant returns. "It’s great to see people like Wylie achieve such success with horses they’ve bought at our sales," Hutch remarked. "He’s made $1.785 million from two yearlings bought for a combined $280,000—a truly excellent result."