Tap the Champagne Tops Inglis Digital USA Sale at $350K

The Inglis Digital USA June Sale closed June 25, led by the the well-bred filly Tap the Champagne, who sold to Tropical Racing for $350,000. The June sale closed with 21 horses sold from 29 offered, with revenues of $560,000, an average sale price of $26,666, and median of $3,250. The RNA rate was 27.6%, representing the eight horses who failed to meet their reserve. Sale topper Tap the Champagne is a 4-year-old filly by the dominant commercial sire Tapit, out of the blue-hen mare Champagne Royale, making her a half sister to grade 1 winners and sires Majestic Harbor and Danza, along with stakes-placed Tickled Pink and multiple group stakes producer Totally Tucker. Tap the Champagne was owned, trained, and offered by Pavel Matejka, who most recently saddled her to a second-place finish in a $120,805 Churchill Downs maiden special weight, her first start on turf. She was made available for inspection out of Matejka's barn at The Thoroughbred Center near Lexington. "We were very happy with the process that was provided by Inglis Digital USA," said Stuart Morris, director of bloodstock for Tropical Racing. "Pavel Matejka was a delight to buy off of, and Inglis provided all the information and customer service you like to see as a buyer, very professional and a pleasure to work with." "I was very happy to advise on the purchase of this lovely filly for Troy Levy of Tropical Racing and Circle 8 Ranch, and this marks another significant purchase in building a super exciting list of horses for Troy and trainer Michelle Nihei," he continued. Wednesday's top horse was one of two offerings to hammer for six figures during the June sale, with Tap the Champagne being joined by Tralee Girl, who sold to James Ensom for $110,000. Tralee Girl, a 3-year-old Mendelssohn filly, entered the sale off a maiden special weight victory during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course June 5, where she won by a neck against New York-bred competition going 1 1/16 miles over the turf. "I'm thrilled to get this filly," Ensom said. "She'll head to Woodbine and be trained by Martin Drexler." Tralee Girl was consigned by trainer Miguel Clement on behalf of owners New Phoenix Stable, Kenneth and Gail Beitz, and Steven Bouchey. She was offered out of Clement's Saratoga Springs, N.Y., barn. The filly is out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Kerry Girl, and her page features grade 2-winning second dam Caroline Thomas and grade 1-winning third dam Bit of Whimsy. "We've had a good run the last two months, but it all comes down to offering the right types at the right time," said Kyle Wilson, senior director of sales and recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. "There was a feeling this morning that we were going to have some fun, but you never really know until the sale starts to close. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the sale. On to July now." Offerings that finished under their reserves Wednesday are still available to purchase on the Inglis Digital USA website. Entries are now open for the Inglis Digital USA July Sale, and they will be taken through July 21.