Cat Dancer, a winning 9-year-old daughter of Storm Cat, commanded a $1.4 million price tag as Hip No. 82 at the Fasig-Tipton November sale.
In foal to Tiznow , the grade I producer was purchased by John Moynihan, who signed the ticket in the name of Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. Cat Dancer was the third horse consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, to fetch a seven-figure price at the one-day sale.
“We really loved her. We tried to buy this mare when she was a baby and she brought a lot of money then, and since then she’s had a grade I winner,” said Moynihan, referring to Cat Dancer’s juvenile Lawyer Ron colt Drill , who captured this year's Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) for Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman. The colt, who was a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase, most recently finished 10th in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).
Bred by Eaglestone Farm and Overbrook Farm, Cat Dancer was bought for $885,000 by Stonewall Farm and Atoka as a 4-year-old at the 2006 Keeneland January mixed sale. She was consigned by Overbrook Farm and William Marquard through Eaton Sales, agent.
Cat Dancer also brought $120,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November mixed sale before being acquired by Moynihan.
Out of the Fappiano mare Foppy Dancer, Cat Dancer is a full sister to grade II victor Magic Storm. Cat Dancer is also from the female family of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner and U.S. 3-year-old champion Chateaugay, plus champion older mare Primonetta.
“She’s beautiful, and she has the ability to produce gorgeous foals,” said Moynihan of Cat Dancer. "Her first foal I think brought $1.5 million.”
Moynihan was referring to Cat Dancer’s now 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly Javanese, who was bought by John Ferguson at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton New York August yearling sale from Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
“Drill was also a beautiful foal…hopefully what she’s carrying—if she has a Tiznow that’s as pretty as Drill, then it will bring a lot of money too,” said Moynihan. “She’s a young mare and she’s already produced a grade I winner by Storm Cat, that’s hard to find.”
Moynihan said the price he paid was higher than what he expected. “It’s what you’ve got to give if you want to get them,” he said. “Hopefully it will turn out well.”
