Seven Figure Purchases Continue at Keeneland

Topped by the $4.2 million bid from Shadwell Estate Company for Magical Allure, a grade I winning General Meeting mare in foal to Storm Cat, the number of horses selling for seven figures continued to rise during Tuesday's session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

With 11 horses selling for $1-million or more Tuesday, the seven figure transactions totaled 39 during the first two days of the sale. During the 1999 record-breaking sale, 29 horses brought final bids in excess of $1-million.

Keeneland sold 223 horses for $72,513,000 Tuesday for an average of $325,170 and a median of $170,000. The cumulative totals for the first three days of this year's sale has Keeneland selling 649 horses for $203,058,100. The average price has been $312,878, with a median of $150,000.

There was spirited bidding for the session topper, led by Rich Decker and WinStar Farm's Kenny Troutt, with Shadwell's Rick Nichols making the winning bid.

"She was a grade I winner, she is in foal to Storm Cat and she was very, very tough on the racetrack. We thought that she might be the best," said Nichols.

Another top story on this day was the sale of Blissful, who was purchased by Robert and Beverly Lewis as a weanling at the 1996 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $1 million.

Blissful, a full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, was purchased by Coolmore Stud's John Magnier for $4-million to top the first half of Tuesday's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The 4-year-old daughter of Mr. Prospector is in foal to two-time leading sire Deputy Minister.

Magnier, whose only bid was the one that secured the mare, said the mare's pedigree, conformation, and in-foal status were all factors in the decision to purchase Blissful. Magnier said the mare would likely stay in the U.S. and be bred to leading sire Storm Cat. Another possibility would be to send her to Ireland for a mating to Coolmore's Giant's Causeway.

Craig Bandoroff, whose Denali Stud consigned Blissful, said the price was in line with expectations of Bob and Beverly Lewis, who owned the mare. Bandoroff noted that Blissful has a lot of potential with her pedigree, and that yearlings she produces should sell well in the marketplace.

"Mr. Lewis just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity," Bandoroff said of the role that Fusaichi Pegasus' success played in the decision to sell Blissful. "We are just very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis for the opportunity they gave us. Nobody deserves it more than they do."

Blissful was the highlight of the early part of the session that lacked the big prices paid during Monday's second session. At that session, a record gross was paid for any single session in Keeneland sales history.

$4,200,000--Magical Allure, purchased by Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd., from Eaton Sales, agent for Mr. and Mrs. John C. Mabee

$4,000,000--Blissful, purchased by John Magnier from Denali Stud (Craig Bandoroff), agent for Robert and Beverly Lewis.

$2,150,000--Oyster Catcher, purchased by Britton House Stud Ltd. from Eaton Sales, agent.

$2,000,000--Leonila, purchased by Britton House Stud Ltd., from FitzGerald/Keogh.

$1,800,000--Miss Golden Circle, purchased by Lael Stable from Denali Stud (Craig Bandoroff, agent.

$1,800,000-- Mousse Glacee, purchased by Newsells Park Stud from Lakland LLC, agent.

$1,600,000-- Rose of Tara, purchased by Curragh Bloodstock Agency from Fred Seitz/Brookdale Farm, agent.

$1,250,000--Miznah, purchased by Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. from Mill Ridge Sales, agent for Abdulla Ali Bu Haleeba.

$1,200,000--Existentialist, purchased by John Sikura from Mill Ridge Sales, agent.

$1,050,000--Unbridled Delight, purchased by Overbrook Farm from Lakland LLC, agent

$1,050,000--B .F. Storm Cat -- Jetapat, purchased by Bradley & Bowden LLC, agent, from Brereton C. Jones/Airdrie Stud, agent