London’s Image will always hold a special place in Ryan Hill’s heart, but the time has come for the trainer to part ways with the filly who helped define his early career. She will go under the hammer tonight at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in Sydney.
“It’s definitely a business decision, my heart tells me to keep her, she’s given us great thrills, no doubt about that,” Hill said on Tabradio.
The daughter of Headwater amassed five wins and nearly $500,000 in earnings across 17 starts. Her fighting front-running win in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at $41 remains a highlight of her career.
She added another feature victory in the Breeders’ Classic and was competitive in top company, placing in the Placid Ark, Lee Steere, and Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy.
Hill stepped her up to Melbourne, where she ran a brave third in the Abell Stakes before a tough finish in the Kewney Stakes saw her campaign conclude.
“The Burgess Queen will never be topped for me. First up at 1400m, I had a decent bet on her at a good price. Yeah, unbelievable,” Hill recalled.
Joining her at the sale is superstar mare Amelia’s Jewel, whose resume includes the Group 1 Northerly Stakes and ten total stakes wins, with $4 million in prizemoney.
“There’s been a lot of interest in her and she looks like a queen,” said Peter Walsh, who campaigns the mare under Amelia Park. “It’s the right time for her to go to a stallion.”
Buyers and fans tracking their future paths — whether in the breeding barn or back to the races — can find early betting odds and updates on our recommended betting sites.
