Gavelhouse Plus to Auction Jennifer Eccles

Last season’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles (Rip Van Winkle-Platinum Elle, by Elnadim) is set to be auctioned via online platform Gavelhouse Plus next month, reports NZ Racing Desk. The winner of four of her 14 starts and placed on a further six occasions, Jennifer Eccles was a dominant winner of the Gr1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), having previously triumphed in the Gr2 Lowland Stakes (2100m), Gr2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies' Classic (2000m) and Gr2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). She was also runner-up in the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and was a close-up fourth in the Gr1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) when resuming as a 4YO. Cambridge-based bloodstock consultant Adrian Clark, who selected the daughter of Rip Van Winkle as a weanling at Karaka and has managed her racetrack career to date for the Challenge TEN Syndicate, announced the decision to offer the star mare for sale on Monday. Clark pointed out, “Jennifer Eccles is something of a rare commodity. With so many mares of her ilk having been sold at both the Gold Coast and Sydney recently, a Group 1 winner who is still only four is extremely hard to buy right now.” He added, “She is a delightful mare, beautiful temperament, well made and it should be noted that she was the Leading NZ 3YO Filly on the 2019/2020 International Ratings.” Final bidding will be on 23 July.