Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Irish Cherry Tops Keeneland Session at $2.7M
Posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008
Irish Cherry, dam of graded stakes winners Spun Sugar and Daaher, brought a final bid of $2.7 million from Eric Guillot, representing Southern Equine Stables, to top Monday’s opening session of the Keeneland January 2008 Horses of All Ages Sale.
A 14-year-old stakes-winning mare by Irish Open out of Eston, by Ancestral (Ire), Irish Cherry was sold in foal to Horse of the Year Ghostzapper. She was consigned by John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.
“She’s in foal to Ghostzapper and he’s worth a mint. He’s an awesome individual,” said Guillot, who acts as trainer and bloodstock advisor for Michael Moreno’s Southern Equine Stables. “She’s the type of mare that Southern Equine has been buying. She’s a producer and the nicest mare in the sale. I was happy to get her.”
On Monday, Keeneland sold 195 horses for $21,325,900, an increase of 12.4 percent from 2007 when 211 horses brought $18,970,000. The average of $109,364 rose 21.6 percent from last year’s figure of $89,905, while the median price of $55,000 remained unchanged from 2007.
“The market was very discerning,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. “Perceived quality sold very well. But there was a polarization; the top end was strong, but the weakness in other parts of the market is a real concern. It goes back to our comments from last fall; there is a serious oversupply of horses that needs to be reviewed.”
Frank McGovern, on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, paid the day’s second-highest price of $700,000 for Premium Red, dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Premium Tap. King Abdullah and his sons purchased Premium Tap, who now races in Saudi Arabia, following his win in the 2006 Clark Handicap (G1). McGovern reported that Premium Red, a 14-year-old mare by Thirty Six Red sold in foal to First Samurai, will be sent to Saudi Arabia. She was consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent.
A filly from the first crop of Saint Liam brought the day’s top price for a yearling, going to Tom Van Meter for $475,000. Consigned by Robert E. Courtney/Crestfield Farm LLC, agent, the filly is out of the unraced Deputy Minister mare Ministrada, and is a half-sister to Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) winner Lone Star Sky.
The 7-day 2008 Horses of All Ages Sale at Keeneland continues through Sunday, January 13. Sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. daily. It has cataloged 2,547 horses, comprising of 1,201 broodmares, 862 yearlings, 482 horses of racing age, and two stallions.
Keeneland will offer broodmares in-foal to such leading stallions as A.P Indy, Afleet Alex, Distorted Humor, Elusive Quality, Empire Maker, Forestry, Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant’s Causeway, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, Mr. Greeley, Posse, Smart Strike Speightstown, Storm Cat, Street Cry (Ire), Successful Appeal, Tale of the Cat, Unbridled’s Song and Vindication, among others.
Stakes-winning alumni of the January Sale include 2007 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Dominican; 2007 Super Derby (G2) winner Going Ballistic; 2007 Modesty Handicap (G3) winner Bridge Game; 2007 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3) winner Roshani; and 2007 Noble Damsel Handicap (G3) winner Dance Away Capote.
"Irish Cherry Tops Keeneland Session at $2.7M" was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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