Goncalo Torrealba, who operates TNT Stud in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, went to $4.5 million to purchase the millionaire Pure Clan during the second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale in Lexington Nov. 7.
Consigned by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, Pure Clan was sold as Hip 279 in foal to Bernardini .
"We just loved her," said Torrealba, adding that he purchased the 7-year-old daughter of Pure Prize on behalf of his family's breeding operation. "I liked her very much, the way she won on both dirt and turf. We are trying to build a broodmare band."
Bred by A. Lakin and sons, Pure Clan won half of her 16 career starts, including the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) and American Oaks Invitational Stakes (gr. IT). She earned $1,987,498.
Torrealba said the mare, who had been sold by Lakin to an undisclosed buyer upon her retirement in August 2010, will be sent to Robert Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky.
Among the best horses with which Torrealba has been associated were grade I winner Cara Rafaela, who was named after his daughter and became the dam of Bernardini, and champion Leroidesanimaux, the sire of 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom .