#horseracing Saying Goodbye to the Million Dollar ‘babygirl’

Allez Wonder ’10 at Lelani Lodge

Every time an emotional cord is struck in this sport we all feel much passion for, people say “that’s racing.” It is constantly uttered when emotions arise and I’ll be the first to admit it was very difficult to say good-bye to Allez Wonder at the fall of the hammer, I knew the mare I had affectionately called ‘babygirl’ would no longer be mine to call.

When Allez Wonder arrived at the sale complex I waited eagerly to see her and my heart fell when I could see she didn’t know why she was at a sale complex and clearly wasn’t happy about being away from ‘home.’ She looked beautiful and her coat glistened in the sunlight but I looked into her eyes and I felt a pang of guilt.

Arrived at the sales complex 

I knew she ‘had’ to be there because a partnership is a partnership, every owner has the right to manage how they see fit. I couldn’t buy her outright on my own and all I could really do is stand outside her box and keep her company. It is a business and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made and will be made, but at the same time it is very hard to watch a horse that has already done so much for me be unhappy or uncomfortable.

Posing for the cameras (aka equine paparazzi)

People may tell me that I’ve got to ‘toughen up’ and ‘that’s racing.’ Indeed it is and the tough decisions were made but I think the day I put a horse I love dearly through sale/auction and not feel anything, is the day I know my passion for horse racing is over. Because when I think of how hard she tried in her G1 Toorak win in 09 and the journey she took me on as my first Melbourne Cup runner, how could I possibly not feel anything? I have always been a firm believer that animals are full of sincerity and she had always been honest about hating wet tracks! Also as honest as they come when she took all the right gaps in the Toorak, beating the boys and winning an Open Hcp G1.

Keeping Allez Wonder company outside her box

As a valuable maiden mare, potential buyers were requesting a breeding certificate. As she returned, doped up from sedatives with her tail lifted in a rather limp state, I felt gutted. I peered into her box and kept saying ‘babygirl, I’m so sorry..’ knowing the next day would be her day to go through the ring.

Arriving at the sale complex with my reserve in mind, I knew I had to say good-bye. She paraded beautifully and all credit to Selena Phillis and her team at Princes Farm for preparing her through their draft. Her coat glowed and she had let down nicely, the 6 months off did her the world of good.

Allez Wonder glowing in the parade ring

As the bidding loomed around $950,000 to $975,000, I felt nervous and took a deep breath as the hammer fell at $1 million. It was the strongest bittersweet taste I had harbouring in my mouth for a good minute as I got up to rush back to her box to say one last good-bye (actually, before I left the Inglis sale complex at 6pm I snuck around the say good-bye again).

I write with much respect and appreciation, having Inglis sell Allez Wonder as the 2011 sale topper of $1 million is an experience (both bittersweet and overwhelming with gratitude) I’ll always remember and be thankful for in many ways. It was very difficult to watch the mare I called ‘babygirl’ since she was a filly uncomfortable in new surroundings, especially since she had already done so much for me.

Allez Wonder is the first sale topper I’ve put through an auction and in all honesty, I felt a bit SLAD (Sad and gLad). However, I know she is going to good home with Patinack Farm and she will be well taken care of. I wish her new connections best of luck and may she bring them as much joy as she has given me over the years.

Visiting Allez Wonder at Princes Farm March 2011