Keeneland Sets Record For Single Session Gross Receipts

Jewel Princess, a champion daughter of Key to the Mint, was purchased by Coolmore Stud's John Magnier for $4.9 million to top Monday's second session of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale.

Consigned by Lane's End, the mare was sold in foal to Storm Cat. Asked whether the price was more than he thought he would have to pay, Magnier said, "This is a very inexact science. Others have bought mares today that very well may turn out to be better. We've been in this long enough to know that you never know for sure what is going to happen. But obviously, we liked the mare. Remember her race record? She was an outstanding runner. We like the fact that she is in foal to Storm Cat and we like her pedigree."

An 8-year-old mare, Jewel Princess was the champion older filly or mare of 1996 when her victories included the Breeders' Cup Distaff. She had 13 wins and 11 placings while earning more than $1.9 million.

The price exceeded the top price of $4.7 million paid at last year's record-breaking sale when agent Hugo Lascelles purchased Dance Design from the Padua Stable consignment.

Keeneland reported 226 horses were sold Monday for a gross of $102,450,000, an average price of $453,319 and a median of $220,000. That is a record gross for a session at any Keeneland sale. Twenty-four horses brought final bids in excess of seven figures.

At the comparable session one year ago, Keeneland sold 277 head for $99,318,000. The 1999 average was $358,549 and the median $200,000.

"It's strong," said W.B. Rogers Beasley, Keeneland's Director of Sales. "We thought it would be strong, but we never dreamed that we would have a session where we sold over $100,000,000. We didn't think we could come close to that, quite frankly."

Lyons Demesne of County Kildare, Ireland purchased Catchascatchcan, a 5-year-old mare in foal to Danzig, for $4.7 million as the second-highest price paid during the session.

Eddie O'Leary signed the ticket for the 1998 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) winner consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. Johnson declined to provide details on plans for the mare and immediately left the sales pavilion after signing the sales receipt.

Third-highest price of $4.6 million was paid by Reynolds Bell Jr., agent for Richard Santulli and Jayeff B Stable, for Myhrr, a 3-year-old full sister to French classic winner and sire Kingmambo. Sold as a broodmare prospect, the daughter of Mr. Prospector--Miesque was consigned by Lane's End.

John Ferguson Bloodstock paid Monday's fourth-highest price of $3.7 million for the Selkirk mare Squeak. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the 6-year-old mare is in foal to leading sire Storm Cat. Produced from the Sir Ivor mare Santa Linda, Squeak comes from the top female family that traces back to Pocahontas. A multiple grade I winner in the U.S., Squeak was a group III winner in England and group-placed in France.

"She's a beautiful mare," Ferguson said. "She raced well on both sides (of the Atlantic Ocean)." Although no breeding plans have been made for Squeak, Ferguson said he believed she would be a "lovely mare" to breed to Godolphin Racing's recently retired Dubai Millennium.

Ferguson paid $3.1 million for Caress, a 9-year-old multiple grade III-winning daughter of Storm Cat, and went to $3-million to purchase Bright Tiara, an 11-year-old Chief's Crown mare who has produced two stakes winners. Consigned by agent John Williams, Caress is in foal to Coronado's Quest. Consigned by Three Chimneys Sales, Bright Tiara was sold in foal to A.P. Indy.

Horses selling for prices in excess of seven figures Monday were:

• $4,900,000--Jewel Princess, purchased by John Magnier from Lanes End.


• $4,700,000--Catchascatchcan, purchased by Lyons Demesne from Claiborne Farm, agent.


• $4,600,000--Myhrr, purchased by Reynolds Bell Jr., agent, from Lane's End,, agent.


• $3,700,000--Squeak, purchased by John Ferguson Bloodstock from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $3,100,000--Caress, purchased by John Ferguson Bloodstock from John Williams, agent.


• $3,000,000--Bright Tiara, purchased by John Ferguson Bloodstock from Three Chimneys Sales.


• $2,500,000--Woodyousmileforme, purchased by Britton House Stud from Three Chimneys Sales.


• $1,900,000--Island Jamboree, purchased from Newgate Stud Farm.


• $1,900,000--Career Collection, purchased by Lisa Troutt from Taylor Made Sales Agent, agent for Mr. And Mrs. John Mabee.


• $1,700,000--Debit Account, purchased by Lisa Troutt from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $1,600,000--La Paz, purchased by Jane Lyon Equine LLC from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $1,500,000--Beacci, purchased by Live Oak Stud from Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency.


• $1,400,000--Troubling, purchased by Lisa Troutt from Claiborne Farm, agent.


• $1,400,000--Sister Act, purchased by Lisa Troutt from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $1,400,000--Coldheartedcat, purchased by Lisa Troutt from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $1,400,000--Gallanta, purchased by Bradley & Bowden LLC, agent, from Lane's End, agent.


• $1,200,000--Lady Relko, purchased by Reynolds Bell, agent, from Claiborne Farm, agent.


• $1,200,000--Filly by Storm Cat--Now That's Funny, purchased by T. Hyde from Gaines-Gentry. Thoroughbreds.


• $1,150,000--Catch Me By Nine, purchased by Courtlandt Farm from Lane's End.


• $1,150,000--Filly by A.P. Indy--Golden Petal purchased by B. Wayne Hughes from Taylor Made Sales Agency.


• $1,100,000--Bay colt by Capote--Storm Cat--Beware of the Cat, purchased by D.L. O'Byrne. from Lane's End, agent for Ten Broeck Farm.


• $1,075,000-Totemic, purchased by Horse France from Longfield Farm, agent.


• $1,050,000--Miss Dahlia, purchased by Lane's End Bloodstock from Lane's End, agent for Madeleine A. Paulson.


• $1,000,000-- Mrs. Marcos, purchased by Reynolds Bell Jr., agent from Glencrest Farm LLC Sales.

Keeneland November Sales Results from the Keeneland web site