Irish River Mare Brings Top Price at Keeneland

Hugo Merry Bloodstock paid a top price of $220,000 for a 6-year-old broodmare by Irish River during Friday's session of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale.

Fred Seitz's Brookdale Farm, as agent, sold Fiamma, an Irish-bred bay mare by Irish River out of Florie, by Gay Mecene. Fiamma is a half-sister to Fanjica, a graded stakes winner in both the United States and England. Fiamma raced and won in the United States and Europe. She was not mated after producing a filly by 1998 Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet earlier this year.

Unbridled Charmer , a 4-year-old racing or broodmare prospect by Unbridled, brought $215,000, second high price of the day. Carey Bailey, as agent for Tomoka Hills Farm, bought the dark bay daughter of Unbridled out of Bashful Charmer, by Capote, from Clifton Farm. Unbridled Charmer has earned $45,360 on the racetrack.

During Friday's session, Keeneland sold 260 horses for $11,646,700, an average of $44,795. During the comparable session in 2000, 251 horses averaged $62,939 from total sales of $15,797,000. Through five days of the 11-day auction, 1,047 horses have been sold for $154,067,300, an average of $147,151.

The sale continues through Thursday.

Results, other information from Keeneland