Isla Bijou sold to Auckland interests

Press, 24 July 1986, Page 36

Isla Bijou sold to Auckland interests

By

J. J. BOYLE

Isla Bijou, winner of eight races and $37,260, from the Riverton stable of her part-owner, Bill Hillis, has been sold to Lexington Bloodstock, of Auckland. The sale was completed yesterday afternoon as Isla Bijou was being brought north to run in the Christchurch Hunt’s Ashley Meats Brabazon Handicap on Saturday. Mr Des Branks, who has raced the mare in

partnership with Hillis

and the estate of the late

Bill Hewltson, of Morton Mains, said yesterday that the sale price was a substantial six-figure sum. The Southland partners will quit the Noble Bijou mare the day after she runs in the AIC Winter Cup at Riccarton on August 9. Isla Bijou will then be sent north to join the Matamata stable of Dave and Paul O’Sullivan. The purchasers had

shown interest in leaving

Isla Bijou in the Bill Hillis

stable, but the move north was thought advisable because of the lack of valuable spring races in the south. Isla Bijou won four races from 14 starts as a three-year-old. She had a wind operation after her three-year-old racing, and came back well this season to win four races and $25,350. Her major success was in the Lion Brown Stakes at Riccarton at Easter.