Southern Phantom, otherwise known as the most photographed horse on the grounds of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, was purchased by trainer Danny Caldwell Nov. 13 on a final bid of $20,000.
"This was a quick buy. Everybody wants a pretty horse," said Don Waits, who signed the ticket on behalf of Caldwell. "I was willing to go up to $25,000 or maybe more. You never know."
Consigned as Hip 3111 by Select Sales, agent, the uniquely marked 3-year-old son of Bodemeister was offered to the November sale as a racing or stallion prospect. He was owned in partnership by Southern Equine Stable and Calumet Farm and trained by Eric Guillot, for whom he made seven starts—all in New York. His most recent race was Feb. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack, where he placed third in a maiden special weight.
Caldwell said the colt will ship to Remington Park in Oklahoma, where he will have a fresh chance at kick-starting his racing career.
"The cowboys will love him in Oklahoma," Waits said.
Bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine, Southern Phantom is out of the Bernardini mare Out for Revenge and is a full brother to stakes-placed winner Stronger. The colt made headlines around the world even before his racing debut, recognized for the striking white face and piercing blue eye that set him apart from his peers.
Waits said it's not out of the question that Southern Phantom, whose impressive pedigree boasts successful sires Fed Biz , Tale of the Cat , Minardi, Stanford , and Johannesburg, could one day join Caldwell's stallion ranks.
"Mr. Caldwell stands Da Stoops, so if the horse does well, he may stand him," Waits said. "It's hard to know."
