The Keeneland September yearling sale finally has its first million dollar baby. A dark bay filly by Unbridled’s Song that is a half sister to champion Vindication became the first horse so far to crack the seven-figure barrier when she sold for $1 million to John Ferguson, agent for Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed during the second session today.
For the first time since 1996, the opening session of the September auction failed to produce a seven-figure offering on Monday. That drought came to an end however as Ferguson emerged from a protracted battle to take home the well-built filly.
“A beautiful filly, a sister to a Breeders’ Cup winner and an outstanding individual,” Ferguson said. “She was raised at Stone Farm which everyone knows is one of the greatest nurseries in America. She is a filly that has consistently throughout the year been exceptional. We’re delighted to have her.”
Consigned by Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm, the filly is out of the late, Grade III winning mare Strawberry Reason. In addition to producing Vindication, winner of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile en route to being named champion 2-year-old male, Strawberry Road produced Grade III winner Scipion and graded stakes placed Blackberry Road.
“She has a superb pedigree and she is a beautiful individual with a wonderful personality,” Hancock said. “I think Sheikh Mohammed made a real good buy. She’s the ultimate. She’s a big rangy filly, she acts like a racehorse. She is very bold but she is also very sensible. She did everything right up here. She never got sour or tired.”
Alicia Wincze Hughes is the turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
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