Raheen Stud bought a bargain at the 2009 Magic Millions National Sale when Exquisite Art entered the ring as a repossessed lot.

Exquisite Art (4m Redoute’s Choice – Victory Vein by Mr. Henrysee) is bred in the purple and had been originally sold for $625,000 as a yearling.  When that deal soured, the filly was left in limbo and didn’t return to the ring until she was rising three.

Raheen Stud owners Basil and Di Nolan, along with their son Basil jnr and daughter-in-law Natalie, were on the spot to claim the filly with a final bid of just $125,000.  She is by Australia’s champion sire from a Group 1 winning filly and, on pedigree alone, was a giveaway at that price.

Fast forward to November 2010 and Exquisite Art increased her asking price when a debut winner of the Tom Waterhouse Maiden Plate (1000m) at Moonee Valley.  She tracked front-runner Devilenko (Street Cry) and then cruised home to win in a quick 58.28s.

Exquisite Art is prepared by Caulfield trainer Peter Moody and was ridden to victory by stable jockey Luke Nolen.  “She’s very well bred and definitely has ability,” Nolan said.  “Now we’ve just got to find her a nice little stakes race.”

Exquisite Art’s value will sky-rocket if she can add more black-type to complement Victory Vein’s Group 1 roll-call.  And although the Nolans are staunch Queenslanders, they will have no alternative but to book her into a Hunter Valley stallion when she eventually retires to stud.