A mare who had brought $1.75 and $1 million at past sales, failed to meet her reserve when the bidding stopped at $775,000 at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale Jan. 12.
Last Song, a 9-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song, won two stakes during her race career, including the 2004 Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park. She now has three foals: a 3-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy named Choral Symphony; a 2-year-old A.P. Indy filly; and a yearling Distorted Humor colt. She is currently carrying a foal by Elusive Quality.
Kerry Cauthen, managing partner of Four Star Sales, which consigned Last Song as agent to the sale, said she was only about $50,000 to $75,000 under her reserve.
Last Song, who was a $190,000 Keeneland September yearling, sold for $1.75 million at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. Carrying her now 2-year-old A.P. Indy filly, she was bought by Hill n’ Dale Bloodstock, agent. In 2008, she was acquired for $1 million by Eric and Sydney “Chip” Guillot’s Southern Equine Stables at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale as agent, she was in foal to Distorted Humor.
“It was close,” said Cauthen of the reserve. “(The Guillots) valued the mare; they thought she was a nice mare…they decided they wanted to take her home for that price. I understand what they’re doing…they sold a number of their lower end mares with no reserves. But they’ve also had some (mares with) reserves that they bought back, because they really like the mare and her foals.
“It’s like Eric (Guillot) said to me, we’re valuing (our sale prospects) based on racehorses for us, not what the commercial market is going to pay for them.”
Last Song’s second dam is the grade I-winning Transworld mare Only Queens, who is the dam of grade I winner Tactile (by Slew o’ Gold). Last Song finished her racing career with a record of 5-2-2 from 17 starts and earnings of $336,483. She was bred in Kentucky by Katalpa Farm.