The son of AP Indy out of Balance who eventually went for $4.2 million

Last night Keeneland’s September Sale got underway (and apparently off to great start!). As many do, I enjoy watching the live feed of the auction. The auctioneer and the announcer have a great chemistry and can be downright funny when trying to whip a bidding frenzy. All and all, it’s quite enjoyable, even for those of who don’t know a heck of a lot about pedigrees.

In uncharacteristic timeliness I made my way over there right as the auction kicked off. Much to my surprise there were two folks at a desk discussing the upcoming sale. This seemed like a fine addition, a little intro never hurt anything. Then I started to notice that first auction had started and that they were still talking. They’re going to stop soon, right? The next HIP came up, and then the next… still talking.

Folks on Twitter and Facebook started grumble (me being one of them). And then the most miraculous thing happened… Keeneland responded… quickly! They got rid of the running commentary and the live feed was back to straight-up auction action. They even responded to complainers both on Facebook and Twitter to let them know they had addressed the issue. Why can’t everything be that simple?

Common sense dictates that if you’re going to have multiple digital media channels, that you respond to feedback, input, grumblings, etc in a timely manner. But what Keeneland did last night was nothing short of miracle, particularly for a racing entity! So, a big thumb’s up to Keeneland for swiftly responding to the outcry of their users, perhaps there’s hope after all!

(and PS… hi, I miss you guys too. Come visit!)

Posted by dana on Sep 13 2010    
Filed Under: 2010, Keeneland, Auction, Yearling, Racing

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Hystericalady in the paddock prior to the 2008 Breeders’ Cup (Drew42e)

My friend Google tells me that, in addition to pictures of Chantal Sutherland, that the internets wants to know more about Hysterical Lady, aka Hystericalady. What the internets wants the internets gets!

Hystericalady, featured as Zenyatta’s main and only competition in the Lady’s Secret on “Jockey’s, Win or Die Trying” is no slouch. Of her 23 lifetime races she had 11 wins, 4 places and 2 shows, that’s 74% in the money and a win percentage of 48%. In both 2007 and 2008 she was only out of the money in one race, she turned in solid performances on both dirt and synthetic surfaces and won at both sprints and routes (races longer than a mile).

She’s knocked heads with almost all of the tough filly & mares of her time including champion Ginger Punch, Nashoba’s Key, Tough Tiz’s Sis, Lemon Drop Mom, Octave, Intangaroo and, of course, Zenyatta.

Here’s her Wikipedia entry, Pedigree Query entry and Bloodhorse Profile. While I don’t recall it being announced, I believe she was retired. She was purchased at auction for $3 Million this fall after the Breeders’ Cup by Sheik Mo.

John Ferguson purchased Hystericalady, the most expensive horse of the day as of 5:30 p.m., on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum. Taylor Made, agent, consigned the mare, one of 11 horses to bring $1 million or more by that point in an atmosphere middle-market consignors ruefully described as more famine than feast.

Hystericalady, a 5-year-old Distorted Humor mare, went through the ring as an exceptional racing or broodmare prospect, leaving her buyer an option to race. But Ferguson said it was “unlikely” Maktoum would elect to run her again, even though trainer Hollendorfer assured him after the hammer fell that the mare is entirely sound. The chestnut daughter of Chilean champion Sacramentada came to the sale off a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic and hit a rare home run in the market.

Enjoy these replays, it’s too bad there aren’t more as she put in a lot of really game efforts.

2007 Humana Distaff (worst audio ever!):

2007 Breeders’ Cup Distaff:

2008 Humana Distaff:

2008 Delaware Handicap:

2008 Lady’s Secret (featured in Jockeys, Win or Die Trying):

2008 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (her last race, and only off the board effort in 2008):

Posted by dana on Feb 10 2009    
Filed Under: Auction, Zenyatta, Tough Tiz's Sis, Jockeys TV Show, Ginger Punch, YouTube, Retirement, Hystericalady, Octave, Race Replay, Racing

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Azeri winning the 2004 Go For Wand at Saratoga (Walter Kobbe)

When times are tough there are bargains to be had. Tomorrow is no different at the January Keenland sale! Let’s say you have a few million sitting around, you might want to snap up the 2002 Horse of Year, Azeri.

She had a stellar career that included winning the Apple Blossom 3 consecutive years, winning the Distaff in the 2002, winning the Milady, the Vanity and Clement L. Hirsch in both 2002 and 2003, 2002 HOY and Champion Older Female 2002-2004.

She’s only the third female to win HOY since voting began in 1971 and the only to to not win against males. Perhaps she’s about to have company, but let’s not change the subject!

Still not convinced? See for yourself. Vic Stauffer summed it up best in his stretch call for the 2003 Milady. Happy bargain hunting!

The speed of Ruffian, the class of Lady’s Secret, the heart of Personal Ensign, one of the greats of all time… this is AZERI.

Apple Blossom:

Clement L. Hirsch:

Distaff:

Apple Blossom:

Milady:

Apple Blossom:

Go For Wand:

Spinster:

Posted by dana on Jan 11 2009    
Filed Under: Keeneland, Walter Kobbe, Vic Stauffer, Oaklawn, Distaff, 2009, Apple Blossom, HOY, Racing History, Race Replay, Saratoga, Hollywood Park, YouTube, Auction, Legend, Racing

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Better Than Honour in the ring at Fasig Tipton’s November Sale

Not much to add at this point except for “wow”. The auctioneer mentioned that he believed the price to be new world record for a broodmare. I was starting to wonder if she was gonna go higher than the Green Monkey! No doubt there will be plenty of details later on.

As anticipated, Foolish Pleasure has a great wrap-up.

Posted by dana on Nov 02 2008    
Filed Under: 2008, Auction, The Green Monkey, Racing

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Stardom Bound in the ring at Fasig Tipton’s November Sale

Big shout out to Jessica for the info re: IEAH!

Apparently, they have Babe to thank:

Michael Iavarone, co-owner of IEAH Stables, said it was a little more than he wanted to pay, but trainer Rick Dutrow, who was sitting beside him during the Fasig-Tipton sale, wouldn’t let him stop bidding.

”Rick wouldn’t let me say no,” Iavarone said. ”I guess if you were going to spend $5 million, you can spend $5.7 million.”

As noted during the auction, Stardom Bound was a pro in the ring. She stood quietly while the bidding went on around her. Best of luck to her with her new crazy family. My only question is, what if she doesn’t like dirt?

Flash poll (sans polling widget), will Better Than Honour go for more?

Posted by dana on Nov 02 2008    
Filed Under: Stardom Bound, 2008, Auction, Racing

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