Auction Thoughts

The sale at Keeneland has been quite eventful. I’ve seen more than a few bargains slip through the auction ring, along with some horses who sold for massive prices. Stardom Bound, winner of the 2008 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, was the best buy at $5.7 million. IEAH purchased her and she will evidently be trained by Richard Dutrow who wouldn’t let them stop bidding. I don’t think they are going to regret their purchase of the filly that Mike Smith has called “Baby Zenyatta”.

The first progeny of several star racehorses also passed through the sale. Among them are sons and daughters of Bernardini, Aragorn, Bluegrass Cat, First Samurai, and Flower Alley. I’m really interested to know how the Bluegrass Cat foals pan out. He was magnificent at 2 and 3 and is royally bred. He is a son of Storm Cat, and his broodmare sire is AP Indy. I don’t think it gets much better than that!

Better Than Honour, the broodmare of Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches sold for a record price of $14 million to Southern Equine Stables. She is also the broodmare of Japanese sensation Casino Drive. Mike Moreno described her as “priceless”. That’s hard to argue with.

Hystericalady went for $3 million. She had a great 2008 campaign but she met her match in Zenyatta just like many fillies and mares before her. Hystericalady will probably be remembered most for her second place finish in the 2007 Breeders Cup Distaff. Her racing career is most likely over.

I can only imagine spending this kind of money on a racehorse, or anything for that matter. I’m sure many horses slipped through unnoticed in $10-100k range that we will hear about in the future. Lets not forget, Big Brown sold for $60k as a yearling. I could perhaps afford a horse of that price when I’m done with college. Hopefully Big Brown will pale in his comparison. I’m not holding my breath.