Kingmambo colt brings $11.7 million; sets Keeneland September record

Kingmambo colt was the star of the show on Tuesday (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com) A colt by Kingmambo out of Crown of Crimson (Seattle Slew) became the second most expensive yearling of all time, selling for $11.7 million to John Ferguson at Tuesday's session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. Ferguson was bidding on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. "In Sheikh Mohammed's eyes he was the number one yearling (in the sale)," Ferguson remarked. "He was awesome." The price shattered the previous September sale record of $9.7 million, set last year by Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed for a colt by Storm Cat out of Tranquility Lake (Rahy). Cataloged as Hip No. 425, the record setter was consigned by Burleson Farms, agent. "We foaled and raised this colt, and he was a standout from the start, just like his brother and his entire family," said Lyn Burleson, who previously worked with Becky Thomas at Lakland. "We knew he was a nice horse and he vetted very well, but you never know how it's going to work out. You just hope you have the right people on your horse and that's what happened." The bay colt is a full brother to Ashaawes, a winner of three of four starts in England. Ashaawes was purchased by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd. for $2.85 million at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and races in the name of the Maktoum family's Godolphin Stables. The probable sale topper is the second foal out of 1999 Pocahontas S. heroine Crown of Crimson, a half-sister to four-time Grade 1 winner and $1.4 million earner Excellent Meeting (General Meeting) and multiple stakes winner Crowning Meeting (General Meeting). The highest price ever for a yearling was $13.1 million for Seattle Dancer (Nijinsky II) at the 1985 Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sale. Earlier in the session, Ferguson paid $9.2 million for Hip 312, a colt from the last crop of leading sire Danzig. "He was one of the nicest Danzigs we've ever seen, and we've seen a lot of them," Ferguson said. "We've had such good luck with Danzig, he's the sire of Danehill and so many others. We were looking for an athlete and this colt is outstanding." Consigned by Monticule, the dark bay is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Sharp Writer (Capote), who most recently finished second by a neck in the September 4 Berkeley H. (G3) at Golden Gate Fields. He is a full brother to Dijeerr, a recent winner at Leicester for Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum. The colt is out of the Deputy Minister mare Sharp Minister, a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Flag Down and a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Golden Silk (Songandaprayer).

"This colt is a very special animal," said Dr. Gary Knapp, owner of

Monticule. "He has a beautiful physical frame and the cardiovascular system to

support it. Once he matures he will be a beautiful racing machine."

Demi O'Byrne, representing the Coolmore group, paid $5.2 million

for another Danzig colt, Hip 373. The bay is a three-quarter brother to 2004

Beresford S. (Ire-G2) winner Albert Hall (Danehill) and French stakes winner

Barsine (Danehill). He is out of the winning Roberto mare Al Theraab, a

half-sister to stakes winner Meadowlamb (Meadowlake). The colt was consigned by Indian Creek (Dave C. Parrish Jr.), agent.

O'Byrne indicated the colt would be sent to Coolmore's Ballydoyle yard in

Ireland.

Hip 318, a colt from the first crop of champion Vindication, sold for $4.6

million to Zayat Stables.

Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, the dark bay is a

half-brother to 2005 Haskell Invitational H. (G1) winner Roman Ruler (Fusaichi

Pegasus), 2000 Cigar Mile H. (G1) winner El Corredor (Mr. Greeley), and Grade 3

heroine Silver Tornado (Maria's Mon). His second dam, Grade 1-placed Sociable

Duck (Quack), is the dam of stakes-winning, stakes producers Seducer (Housebuster)

and Swift and Classy (Clever Trick).

A lass by Storm Cat, Hip 363, was the top-price filly, selling for $3 million

to Southern Equine. Consigned by Lane's End, agent, the dark bay is a full

sister to promising sophomore Mr. Sekiguchi, who sold for $8 million at the 2004

Keeneland September sale.

The filly is out of 2000 Dogwood S. (G3) queen Welcome Surprise (Seeking the

Gold), a half-sister to 1992 Horse of the Year A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew), 1990

Preakness S. (G1) winner Summer Squall (Storm Bird), and stakes winner

Eavesdropper (Kingmambo).

Ferguson was easily the session's leading buyer, obtaining nine yearlings for

$27,225,000. Thus far, he has purchased 25 yearlings for $56,885,000.

Lane's End was the session's leading consignor, selling 13 yearlings for

$14,725,000. Burleson Farms sold three for $11,890,000. Taylor Made Sales Agency

finished third with 32 for $10,155,000.

On Tuesday, Keeneland reported 161 horses sold for $94,960,000, a decrease of

3.6 percent compared to the same session last year when 184 horses changed hands

for $98,502,000. The average price jumped 10.2 percent, from $535,337 to

a record $589,814, while the median price rose 10.1 percent, from $272,500 to $300,000.

With two days of the 14-day sale complete, a total of 324 horses have sold

for $182,860,000, a decrease of 2.3 percent compared to 2005 when 372 horses

sold for $187,214,000. The average price is up 12.1 percent, from $503,263 to

$564,383, while the median price has increased 5.3 percent, from $285,000 to

$300,000.

Thirty yearlings have sold for at least $1 million during the first two days.

For complete results, visit keeneland.com.

The sale resumes at 10 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday.

HORSES

SELLING FOR $3 MILLION OR MORE