Top-Level Mare Levante Joins Magic Millions Lineup

Buyers on the Gold Coast will be afforded a unique opportunity when New Zealand's multiple group 1-winning sprinter-miler Levante goes under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale next month.

The daughter of New Zealand's champion Sire-elect Proisir has won 12 of her 22 starts, including four triumphs at group 1 level, and has accrued AU$1,144,511 (US$801,560) in prize money. Levante will be given the chance to enhance that record even further when she lines up in the April 8 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1) at Randwick, in what is believed to be her swansong.

When the mare goes through the ring as part of Julian Blaxland's Blue Sky Premium Consignment draft as an elite racing and breeding proposition on the opening day of the Queensland sale, her part-owner Philip Brown said it will be a moment of sadness coupled with joy.

"It's been an amazing journey," Brown said. "We could never have dreamed that she would develop into a multiple group 1 winner.

"I will be there for sure. It will be an emotional day—it will be one of those happy and sad moments. She was purchased by a group of mates, she's given us the most amazing thrills, and we just felt it was the right time for her to take the next step."

Trained throughout her career by Ken and Bev Kelso, Levante kicked off as a 3-year-old, breaking her maiden on debut before winning her next three starts.

She broke through for her first stakes success when running out an impressive winner of the Counties Bowl on her first start as a 4-year-old, following up that victory with a third-place finish in the Railway Stakes (G1). She landed her first group race on her next start when defeating a high-class field in the 2021 Westbury Classic (G2).

However, she would not have to wait long for her own group 1 glory, coming in her next appearance when she defeated subsequent dual group 1 winner Roch 'N' Horse in the Telegraph Stakes (G1). She quickly doubled her elite tally when taking the Waikato Sprint (G1).

After two fourth-place finishes in Australia, she returned to New Zealand and finished a game third behind fellow New Zealand superstar Imperatriz in the Railway Stakes (G1) before retaining her crown in the Telegraph Stakes.

This preparation brought another milestone for the mare, when she showed her diversity and talent with a victory over 1,600 meters in the Maori RC WFA Stakes (G1).

Barry Bowditch, managing director of Magic Millions, told ANZ Bloodstock News that her pedigree coupled with her race record made the mare a very valuable and desired prospect not only for breeders in Australasia but anywhere in the world.

"She is an outstanding prospect. She is by Proisir, who is going from strength to strength and is putting himself up there with those elite sires," said Bowditch. "She has got a very strong, deep pedigree and her race record speaks for itself. She is a fast mare who has run constantly well at the elite level, both in Australia and in New Zealand."

Levante is out of dual-winning Doyoun mare Island Doy, making her a half sister to stakes-placed mare Doyenne, the dam of last season's Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (G1) winner Maven Belle.

Levante joins fellow multiple group 1-winning New Zealand mare Coventina Bay and the elite level-winning duo Forbidden Love and Snapdancer at the Magic Millions sale, which is due to get underway on June 23.