Stakes-placed filly Bellavinino (Get Stormy), who recently finished second in the $1-million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes, topped the Inglis Digital USA September Sale with a winning bid of $170,000 from renowned owner/breeder Bill Heiligbrodt.
Bred by Brian Burns’s Mt. Joy Stables Inc., Bellavinino debuted with an impressive victory in a $35,000 maiden claiming race at Gulfstream Park on July 28. She followed up with a fourth-place finish in a $250,000 restricted allowance at Kentucky Downs on August 29. Just 10 days later, she returned to the track for the Juvenile Fillies Stakes, staying close to the pace throughout and overcoming traffic to finish a game second.
Bellavinino was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of her previous owner, C2 Racing Stable, and was made available for inspection at trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.'s barn.
Heiligbrodt, excited by the acquisition, remarked, "This filly is a win-win for me. She’s a stakes-quality racehorse, and I look forward to running her. Ultimately, she’ll be a perfect match for my new stallion, Cogburn (Not This Time)." Cogburn, a top contender for this year’s GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, set a record in the 5 1/2-furlong GI Jaipur Stakes at the Belmont Racing Festival.
Liza Hendriks, CEO of Inglis Digital USA, expressed her satisfaction with the sale's success, stating, "We maintained strong numbers in line with our first sale, supported by an expanded catalogue, and were thrilled with Bellavinino's sale for $170,000."
Entries for the Inglis Digital USA October Sale are now open through Monday, October 21. The catalogue will be released on Friday, October 25, with the sale concluding on October 29.