Grade 1 Winners sell for millions in Fasig Tipton November selection mixed sale

The Lexington Kentucky newspaper the Lexington Herald-Leader had an article today about the Grade 1 winners that were put up for sale at auction at Keeneland on Sunday November 4, 2007.

The 2 top horses were of course Round Pond, and Octave.

Round Pond sold for $5.75 million to John Ferguson who is a bloodstock agent that purchased on behalf of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashin al Maktoum.  This price was the highest sale since 1985 during when Oceana sold for $7 million.  Round Pond is a 5 year old mare, and the daughter of Awesome Again.  This mare’s race career included a 5.5 length win in the 2006 Breeder’s Cup.

Octave was bid for $4 million also to Ferguson - but there was controversy as Ferguson signed the ticket.  Apparently, the representatives from Coolmore Stud also thought that they had won the bid for $4 million, and were not acknowledged by the bid spotters.  But, according to auction rules - unless the bid is acknowledged by a spotter, its not a bid.  And once the ticket is signed, nothing can be done - leaving no recourse for Coolmore Stud.

The total sales for this auction was 107 horses sold for a little over $52 million (which is down from last year’s sales of 63 horses for over $64 million).

Still, a great auction, and some quite impressive horses were sold.