Fiji Tops Keeneland's Opening Session

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Champion grass mare Fiji was purchased by Betty Moran's Brushwood Stable for $3.1-million to top Monday's opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The daughter of Rainbow Quest is in foal to top international sire Danehill. Reiley McDonald, a partner in Eaton Sales, signed the ticket on behalf of Moran. The mare was consigned by Newgate Stud Farm.

The day's second-highest price of $2.3-million was also paid by Eaton on behalf of an unnamed client for Flat Fleet Feet, a grade I winner in foal to leading sire Storm Cat. The 9-year-old mare was consigned by Three Chimneys Sales.

With most of the day's top prices coming late in the day, third-highest price of $2,250,000 was paid by Don Adam's Courtlandt Farm for Gourmet Girl, a millionaire 7-year-old mare in foal to Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. The daughter of Cee's Tizzy was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Earlier in the day, Kalookan Queen, a 6-year-old daughter of Lost Code who defeated males Oct. 5 in the grade I Ancient Title Handicap, was purchased by Courtlandt Farm from the Taylor Made Sales Agency for $1,850,000. Trained by Bruce Headley for Louis A. Asistio, Kalookan Queen has a record of 11 wins in 24 career starts and has earned just over $1-million.

Adam, who was accompanied by adviser Ken Carson, said Kalookan Queen will likely be retired for breeding purposes. Carson said the new owner would like to breed her to leading sire Storm Cat if they could obtain a 2003 nomination.

Salty Gal, the dam of grade I winner Mongoose, was purchased by Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud for $1,750,000, with agent Michael Youngs signing the ticket. Noting that Salty Gal was in foal to Broad Brush and carrying a full sibling to Mongoose, Youngs said he told Weber the 10-year-old daughter of Cox's Ridge was "the pick of the sale." Youngs said he estimated Salty Gal would cost about $1.5-million to acquire, but that it was worth going higher to buy her.

Eaton Sales also paid $1,450,000 for Christmas in Aiken, the dam of multiple grade I winner Harlan's Holiday. Consigned by Taylor Made, the 10-year-old daughter of Affirmed was in foal to Forestry. Eaton partner Reiley McDonald said the mare was purchased on behalf of a commercial breeder who requested anonymity. McDonald said the mare's offspring will be offered a public auction.

Newsells Park Stud went to $1,250,000 to acquire On a Soapbox, a 6-year-old daughter of Mi Cielo who won the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I). Also consigned by Taylor Made, On a Soapbox was sold in foal to Danzig.

Also selling for $1,250,000 was Veil of Avalon, a 5-year-old stakes-winning daughter of Thunder Gulch. Consigned by Dromoland, the mare was purchased by Andreas Putsch's 6C Stallions, with agent Pur Sang France listed as the buyer. Putsch, a resident of Monaco, previously raced 1997 Noble Damsel Stakes winner Colcon.

Top price paid for a weanling was the $800,000 from agent John Ferguson for a son of Seattle Slew produced from the unraced Seeking the Gold mare Zoe Montana. The colt was consigned by Taylor Made.

Irish bloodstock agent John McCormack Bloodstock paid $725,000 for a colt from the first crop sired by Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. The colt, consigned by Three Chimneys Farm, is a half-brother to Oak Leaf Stakes winner and Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Composure.

One weanling that did not bring as much as its consignor hoped was the full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. Consigned by Darby Dan Farm, agent for Jim Squire's Two Bucks Farm, the daughter of Maria's Mon--Regal Band was bought back for $450,000.

Darby Dan owner John Phillips said he was disappointed that the filly did not sell because there had been a lot of interest by potential buyers. Noting that the filly's endoscopic exams and X-rays did not reveal any defects, Phillips said he thought the filly would have been attractive to buyers who did not want to spend seven figures for racing prospects.

Results From Keeneland

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