Recent Prix de l'Opera (G1) winner Barnavara is a major new addition to the Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The ownership syndicate, Alpha Racing, must always sell the horses at the end of their 3-year-old careers, and will offer her through Baroda Stud.
The Jessica Harrington-trained filly has progressed throughout the year, winning the Kooyonga Stakes in June and the Jannah Rose Stakes (G3) at Naas on her next start. She then finished third in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (G3) at the Curragh after a two-month break.
Returning to the Curragh about two weeks later, the daughter of Calyx took the Blandford Stakes (G2) before her gallant effort at Longchamp.
BBA Ireland's Patrick Cooper, who bought Barnavara for $74,151 at the 2023 Goffs Orby Sale, explained the reasoning.
"The rules of the syndicate are that the horses are sold no later than the end of their 3-year-old careers," he said. "She is a big filly standing a good 16.2 hands, so what she has achieved this early in her career is remarkable. She won her maiden in May of her 2-year-old year and has run another dozen times since. She has a great constitution and an attitude to die for. She just doesn't lie down.
"Alpha Racing has been going for eight years now, and we have pretty much given everyone back the share price every year. Hopefully, this year's group might do a little better than that. We have a core that has been in since the beginning and others come and go depending on circumstances. We will be sorry to see her go, but we are stocking up for next year, and the bills need paying. The sale will be her last race for us and we are expecting a large turnout."
Barnavara is from the stellar family of dual classic winner and leading stallion Lope De Vega .
Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony added: "Barnavara is a filly of exceptional talent and looks to be a filly who is only going to get better and she will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the Sceptre Sessions at this year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
"She joins a growing list of stellar fillies that will be offered at Europe's leading breeding stock sale and it is a privilege to be asked to offer her at one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the global bloodstock sales calendar this year."
