Mount Bona Tops Inglis Digital February Sale Purchased by Beaufort for AU$240,000

Mount Bona, a four-year-old mare by Night of Thunder on a three-win streak for trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, topped the Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale when Beaufort Bloodstock paid AU$240,000. The early online auction on Feb. 4 grossed AU$2,706,550, a result organisers and vendors framed as evidence of continued momentum for the platform into 2026.

Messara, who split training duties with Gavranich and was reported to be at Riverside managing Classic Yearling Sale inspections for Arrowfield, called the result pleasing. “It’s a really nice result,’’ Messara said. “She’s a lovely mare with a lot of upside, she’s still got a lot of racing to come and she’s got a beautiful pedigree. [...] “I thought there was really good, strong spirited bidding on her, it was nice to see a large group of people obviously interested in her and I wish the purchaser all the very best.’’ BloodHorse reported a US dollar conversion using AU$1 = US$0.70, placing the top price at US$167,956.

Beyond the headline lot, the sale produced tangible commercial depth. Stakes-performed Chergui, a gelded son of Frosted, sold to the Jolly Time Syndicate for AU$95,000, and a seven-horse Godolphin draft realised AU$256,750 in total with each of those offerings sold to different individual buyers. Inglis Digital and other outlets highlighted the platform’s track record of turning online graduates into on-track winners, naming past Inglis Digital-sourced performers such as Barber, Alegron and Listed Carrington Stakes winner Sandpaper as context for that demand.

Inglis Digital’s Business Manager Nick Melmeth framed the sale as an extension of last year’s run of form. “The momentum of last year has continued into 2026 and is something we’re excited to build on heading into the February (Late) Sale and beyond,’’ Melmeth said. He added the platform’s buyer depth is a competitive advantage: “As is displayed each and every sale, the broad buying bench on the Inglis Digital platform is without peer anywhere in the world in terms of online sales platforms and we continue to add to that each month.”

The commercial significance is twofold: buyers are willing to pay for proven recent performance and pedigrees, and major vendors such as Godolphin continue to use Inglis Digital to clear multiple lots to a diverse pool of purchasers. That mix supports a business model where racing value converts into breeding potential and resale upside for consignors and owners.

Market eyes now turn to the February (Late) Sale, which features confirmed entries such as Manolo Bling, a 4YO mare by Grunt with four wins from 15 starts and almost AU$450,000 in prizemoney who is scheduled to race at Eagle Farm on Feb. 14 before being offered. Media reports list entries remaining open until Feb. 18, though there are conflicting published calendars for the Late sale dates; organisers’ official schedule will settle the timing. For owners, breeders and punters, Mount Bona’s price and the AU$2.7 million gross underline that Inglis Digital remains a powerful discovery and trading venue as the southern hemisphere spring season builds.