Diamond Necklace, carrying a foal by Giant’s Causeway, brought $1.3 million to get the 2008 Keeneland November breeding stock sale off to a good start Nov. 3 at the Central Kentucky auction house.
The gray or roan mare was purchased by Dean Fleming of Tyreel Stud in Australia. She was consigned by Hill’n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent. The 4-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song out of the Machiavellian mare Helsinki is a half-sister to English champion and sire Shamardal. Her family also includes United Arab Emirates champion and sire Street Cry.
“You can’t get much better than that family, can you?” said Dean Fleming. “You’ve got two champions in there and she is carrying a three-quarter sister to Shamardal. She is a magnificent looking mare. We are very happy to own her.”
Diamond Necklace will be sent to Ashford Stud for a couple of years, said Dean Fleming.
Fleming’s brother, Paul, purchased Sharp Susan for $2 million at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select sale Nov. 2. Sharp Susan will also remain in the United States for now.
Dean Fleming said he has no breeding plans for Diamond Necklace at the moment. “I think I need a couple of beers to figure that one out,” he joked after purchasing her.
Dean Fleming said he was buying mares to take back to Australia. “We have a boutique farm down there and we have topped the sale the last couple of years. She is a mare that would fit anywhere in the world. Breed to sell out of here.”