Leading NZ filly Banchee has been purchased by Peter and Philip Vela of Pencarrow Stud.  The John Sargent trained filly is by Coolmore sire Oratorio (Ire) and changed hands after victories in the G1 Diamond Stakes and G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.

Owner Sam Kelt said the filly couldn’t be going to a better home.  “Peter Vela told me that if I ever wanted to sell the filly, could I give him the opportunity to buy her,” Kelt revealed.  “We’ve had a fantastic time racing the filly and John has done a superb job with her.”

Banchee (2f Oratorio – Miss Jessie Jay by Spectacularphantom) was the most expensive Oratorio yearling at the 2009 majors when selling for $375,000 at the Karaka Premier.  She is a half-sister to NZ 1000 and 2000 Guineas winner Katie Lee.

“She’s a filly I’ve liked ever since I saw her as a yearling when sold by Hallmark Stud through our Karaka Premier Sale,” Peter Vela told NZTM.  “It’s now a fantastically-commercial family, so she’s going to make a wonderful addition to our broodmare band at Pencarrow Stud at the end of her racing career.”

Banchee is from the first southern hemisphere crop of Oratorio (Ire).  He is a G1 winning son of Danehill and sired 16 first-crop winners in Europe last year led by G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Beethoven.  

Oratorio has been in demand at Coolmore Australia covering 580 mares in four seasons and he’s been just as popular in the sale ring.  His second southern crop averaged $87,500 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions and NZ$108,125 at the Karaka Premier.