Despite the clear skies, there was a lone corner of Tattersalls' Somerville Stables that provided some semblance of warmth from the cold winds that made the day's temperatures feel as if they were in the mid-30s. In that corner where the sun shone down, was Porta Fortuna, who was deciding on her priorities. She had a pile of hay in front of her, but she also had frequent visitors.
As one of the main attractions of Day 2 of Tattersalls' December Mares Sale, a few visitors are expected. The multiple group 1 winner who had been co-owned by Taylor Made's Medallion Racing happily posed with her fans before resuming her meal.
The 4-year-old daughter of Caravaggio had been so popular in the days leading up to her entry into the sales ring, consignor Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales marveled at the volume of people who wanted to catch a glimpse of the bay or brown filly (Lot 1734).
After fervent bidding ended Dec. 2 at 4.5 million guineas ($6.3 million; 1 guinea = $1.39), which is due to be paid by Coolmore, it's no wonder she drew a crowd. That price also briefly made her the most expensive filly in training sold this year until she was passed 19 lots later by Banavara, who sold for 4.8 million guineas ($6.672 million)
"If you look at this story of Porta Fortuna, it's about the Medallion (Racing) customers who all put faith in us," said Taylor, the consignor's president and CEO. "A lot of them are new people in the business, and they put up their money, they take a risk, and they dreamed of getting a result like this. So we're very grateful to them. This is a high-risk business."
Her sale price is the second-highest sale price through the first two days of the auction, which concludes Dec. 3. Porta Fortuna was included in the second of two "Sceptre Sessions," which highlight the top mares for sale at the Newmarket, England, auction house.
"(Trainier Donnacha O'Brien) has done an incredible job with her; she is a very good filly, she is very talented," said Coolmore's M.V. Magnier. "She is a lovely filly, a lot of quality and talented, and hopefully she can breed one as good as her. Coming here, we put a good bit of thought to it, and there is a good chance she could go to Starspangledbanner."
The 19-year-old Australian-bred stallion stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland and was a champion sprinter in both Australia and Europe.
Taylor Made, of course, has consigned more than its fair share of high-quality bloodstock. But according to Mark Taylor, Porta Fortuna, might be near the top if not at the top.
It's not hard to see why.
The daughter of Caravaggio, for her career, has a mark of 8-3-1 from 13 starts and more than $1.7 million in earnings racing for Taylor Made's Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Reeves Thoroughbred, and Barry Fowler. She won grade 1 races at 2 and 3 and a grade 2 in her 4-year-old season of 2025. She posted grade 1 scores in Ireland and England and in the U.S. placed second in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.
"This is why everyone tries to be in the game to have horses like this," said Medallion racing manager Philip Shelton. "For our partnership and for me personally, she has taken us to a stratosphere we could never have dreamed about. It is a huge honor and privilege to be a part of the journey."
Taylor Made had two other lots on offer Tuesday and they entered the ring in succession.
Lot 1658, Unexpected Issues, sold for 240,000 guineas ($333,341) to BBA Ireland. Usdi Atohi, consigned as Lot 1659, netted 210,000 guineas ($291,673) from Tally-Ho Stud.
SHOPPING IN NEWMARKET
John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock opened the vault to land Pintara, a chestnut filly consigned by Imperium Sales as Lot 1760A. The ticket, signed by David Redvers, agent, had a 1,800,000 guineas price tag ($2,502,000). Stewart's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) runner Goliath is out of the Sharmadal mare Gouache. Pintara's sire Pinatubo is by Sharmadal. Stewart said Pintara was purchased as a racing prospect.
"We have had a lot of luck with bringing these fillies over to race them," Stewart said via text. "We have not decided where she will go yet."
Stewart said Resolute is "trying to cut a couple more deals on some others" and finished as underbidders on "too many."
Matt Dorman's Determined Stud continues to collect top European turf bloodlines, paying 435,000 guineas ($604,180) for Lot 1654 Sinology, consigned by Barton Sales.
The Study of Man mare is in foal to Too Darn Hot. The 4-year-old won once at 3 and finished fourth in a group 3 race. Her dam, Madame Chiang, is a group 1 winner.
There is also an affinity for Too Darn Hot. A day earlier, Determined Stud went to 350,000 guineas ($486,056) for White Caviar, who is in foal to Too Darn Hot. David Ingordo, who signed the sales tickets on behalf of Determined, said their other purchase Monday (Warren Hill), who is currently in foal to Charyn, could "visit" Too Darn Hot in the future.
Repole Stable made its second purchase through the first two days, securing Ronni Scott, consigned as Lot 1611 by Meon Valley Stud. The daughter of Frankel is believed to be in foal to Kingman . She sold for 220,000 guineas ($305,800). Her second dam, Zee Zee Top, is a group 1 winner and the dam of six winners from seven runners among 12 of racing age. These runners include group 1 winner Izzi Top.
Toward the end of the day's action, Repole also bought Risk Threshold, consigned as Lot 1770 for 190,000 guineas ($264,100).
