Girl Warrior brings $1 million

GIRL WARRIOR (Elusive Quality), winner of the 2005 El Encino S. (G2) at Santa

Anita, fetched the top price of $1 million from Jerre Paxton's Northwest Farms at Tuesday's

session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale in Lexington, Kentucky.

The five-year-old mare, Hip No. 598, was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.

After winning the El Encino last January, Girl Warrior finished seventh in

the Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) at Del Mar, won the Miss America H. (dead-heat) at

Golden Gate Fields, then ran fourth in the Bayakoa H. (G2) at Hollywood Park in

her most recent start on December 11. The chestnut was cataloged as a racing or

broodmare prospect with a record of 11-4-0-1, $194,917.

Girl Warrior, who previously sold for $120,000 at the 2002 Keeneland

September Yearling Sale, is out of Qhazeenah (GB) (Marju), a half-sister to 2001

Park Hill S. (Eng-G3) heroine Ranin (GB) (Unfuwain). The session topper is from

the same female family as Grade 1 winner Sisterhood (Exclusive Native).

Early in the session, Hip 400, SOLVIG (Caerleon), in foal to Smarty Jones on

a March 23 cover, sold for $950,000 to F. Eugene Dixon Jr. Richard Abbott's Charlton

Bloodstock signed the ticket as agent for Dixon's Erdenheim Farm. The

nine-year-old mare was consigned by Gainesway, agent for Bentley L. Smith. She

has produced a two-year-old colt, Don'twait Toolong (War Chant), and an unnamed

yearling filly by Giant's Causeway.

Solvig won the 2000 Regret S. (G3) at Churchill Downs and the 2000 Pucker Up

S. (G3) at Arlington Park as well as three other stakes races. She earned

$800,694 over four seasons of racing from a mark of 29-7-5-8.

"She was a great race mare and Mr. Dixon was interested in getting a mare in

foal to Smarty Jones," Abbott explained. "She has a lovely yearling filly (by

Giant's Causeway)."

The dark bay mare is out of Incha (GB) (Nashwan), who is a half-sister to

multiple stakes winner Idle Son (Sharpen Up [GB]). Solvig's third dam is the noted

blue hen mare Toll Booth (Buckpasser), who produced Grade 1 winners Plugged

Nickle (Key to the Mint) and Christiecat (Majestic Light).

Hip 502, CAT DANCER (Storm Cat), a four-year-old broodmare prospect, sold for

$885,000 to Stonewall Farm/Atoka. The bay is a full sister to 2002 Monmouth

Breeders' Cup Oaks (G2) winner and Grade 1-placed Magic Storm, who earned

$249,135.

Cat Dancer is out of the winning Fappiano mare Foppy Dancer. Her second dam,

Water Dancer (Nijinsky II), is a half-sister to champion and dual classic winner

Little Current (*Sea-Bird) and multiple Grade 1 winner Prayers'n Promises

(Foolish Pleasure).

She was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent for Overbrook Farm and William

Marquard.

For the session, 246 horses sold for $24,626,400, an increase of 10.4 percent

compared to last year when 258 horses sold for $22,314,500. The average price

rose 15.7 percent, from $86,490 to $100,107, while the median price jumped 37.5

percent, from $40,000 to $55,000.

For the first two sessions, 496 horses have been sold for $46,999,500, an

increase of 23.2 percent compared to 2005 when 509 horses brought a total of

$38,145,600. The average price is up 26.4 percent, from $74,942 to $94,757,

while the median price has soared 30 percent, from $40,000 to $52,000.

"Horse for horse this was the strongest horse sale in recent history," said

Geoffrey Russell, director of sales for Keeneland. "This market is very strong

and it's very international. It's a pure continuation from November (breeding

stock sales). We didn't lose any momentum during the six weeks between the

November sales and now.

"Buyers are looking for mares to support their young stallions."

The seven-day sale continues Wednesday at 10 a.m. (EST). For complete results visit keeneland.com.