Ringside at Keeneland: News and Notes from November Sale

Big Day for Taylor Made
Including Ashado's record $9 million sale, Taylor Made Sales Agency's receipts of $42,292,000 Monday accounted for 43% of $98,121,000 gross. Second in gross Monday was Lane's End, with $13,650,000, followed by Hill 'n' Dale's $10,375,000.

The $9 million spent by agent John Ferguson for Ashado was his only purchase Monday. Leading buyer on the day was Don Adams' Courtlandt Farm, with six bought for $9,190,000.

A Big Buyback
At an RNA price of $2.5 million, Miss Du Bois would have been one of the top sales of the day Monday. However, she did not sell because her owner believed she was worth more. The dam of grade I winner Film Maker, the 11-year-old Mr. Prospector mare was in foal to A.P. Indy.

"She's a hell of mare," said her owner, Philip Steinberg. "Her first foal (Film Maker) is a grade I winner and her female family is really deep. I thought she would bring a price somewhere north of $3 million."

A commercial breeder, Steinberg said he will continue to breed Mis Du Bois to top stallions.

Jackson and Hughes: Friends and Competitors
Wine magnate Jess Jackson, who has filed a lawsuit against past advisers, remains bullish on the horse industry, with his Stonestreet Mares the third-leading buyer Monday with six purchases for $8,210,000.

Shortly after buying Roar Emotion for $2.4 million from the Hill 'n' Dale consignment, Jackson went to a different area of the sale pavilion to talk to owner B. Wayne Hughes.

Asked if there was a partnership afoot, Jackson responded: "No, we just outbid each other. He's an old friend and I told him I liked the competition, but I don't like that heavy of competition with and old friend."

Of the stallion Roar, the sire of Roar Emotion, Jackson said, "He is one of Forty Niner's best sons but he is not appreciated in Kentucky. He is very well appreciated in California and Argentina. He carries a line of stamina and speed that is needed to give some alternatives to all of the well-established sires."