$10 MILLION MARE

Million dollar mares were the order of the day at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Kentucky, highlighted by champion racemare Havre de Grace (below), who fetched a whopping $10million.

A multiple Group I winner of $2.5 million in prizemoney, Havre de Grace, was the champion older mare of 2011 and was always expected star at this sale and created some major fireworks when she was sold to a final bid of $10 million from Mandy Pope of Whisper Hill Farm.

Hailing from the only crop by the ill-fated 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam, 5YO Havre de Grace was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent as Hip No. 76 for Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, which raced the mare throughout her stellar career.

“She was absolutely gorgeous – there’s nothing more to say...she’s beautiful,” said an emotional Pope after signing the ticket for the champion mare. “You look at her and she's everything a racehorse should be, and she has a wonderful attitude...she’s the epitome of what we’re all trying to breed as far as conformation and racing ability. Hopefully she’ll pass that on to her foals.”

The sale makes Havre de Grace the third most expensive mare ever sold in the US behind Better Than Honour, who made $14 million in 2008 and Playful Act, who made $10.5 million in 2007.

- Breednet