The Pearls of Dubai sale consisted of 53 Northern Hemisphere 2-year-olds and Southern Hemisphere-bred 3-year-olds. The sale grossed Dhs15,520,000 (US$4,229,879), with an average price of Dhs293,018 (US$79,808).
Two U.S.-bred juveniles brought the top prices at Saturday's Pearls of Dubai sale at the Dubai World Cup Quarantine Center in the United Arab Emirates. According to the Khaleej Times, top price of 2,000,000 UAE dirhams (about US$544,736) was paid on behalf of Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum for Next Knight, a 2-year-old son of Royal Academy bred in Kentucky by North Wales LLC. Produced from the Regal Classic mare Zitkala, the colt had been purchased by agent Murray Smith for $130,000 from the Bluegrass Thoroughbred Srvices consignment to the 2000 Fasig-Tipton New York August yearling sale.The second-highest price of Dhs1,400,000 (US$381,316) was paid on behalf of Sultan Ali Al Subusi for Dr. Quackenbush, a juvenile daughter of Deposit Ticket. Bred in Florida by Carrel Eakle, Dr. Quackenbush had previously been purchased by Mark Scharfman for $23,000 at the 2000 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's August yearling sale. Prior to being shipped to Dubai, Dr. Quackenbush made one start in the U.S., breaking her maiden at Belmont Park on July 6 while racing for a claiming price of $50,000 for Three Aces Stable and trainer Joseph Aquilino.