Bella Vella was a life changing horse for connections and Adelaide trainer Will Clarken.
Sold for $100,000 by Willow Park Stud at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bella Vella passed through four different stables before landing in SA with Clarken, who paid just $22,500 for her in April 2019 via the Inglis Digital Sale.
Bella Vella shot to fame when she led throughout to win the 2020 Sangster Stakes at Morphettville over 1200m as the first online sale graduate to win a Group 1 feature.
She was first retired in 2021 and sold through the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast when purchased for $1.9m by Victoria’s Rosemont Stud.
She made a successful return to the racetrack winning the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville before her final start came in the 2022 Sangster Stakes when she finished down the track behind Snapdancer and was again retired with 11 wins and almost $1m in prizemoney.
“Since arriving in my stable in May 2019, the good fortune and profile she has brought to Clarken Racing has been far beyond our expectations,’’ Clarken said reflected on the mare’s stunning SA career.
“The overwhelming enthusiasm she put into her race-day performances and her unique character made her an exceptional horse.