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| Sumita Pawar |
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During Day 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Donato Lanni, the highly regarded bloodstock agent representing Zedan Racing, acted quickly to secure a half brother to Collected, the 2017 Pacific Classic Stakes group one victor and current sire at Airdrie Stud. The colt, sired by Uncle Mo, was consigned by Runnymede Farm and identified as Hip 154.
"Imagine selling your horse for A$2 million; there are no words for that," Runnymede Farm's Romain Malhouitre said. "The horse has been awesome since he arrived Thursday. He showed very well, and we knew there was plenty of interest, but you never know."
The horse from Helena Bay was bred in Kentucky with the cooperation of Peter J. Callahan and Three Chimneys Farm. The fact that his half-brother had won a group one race under the tutelage of Bob Baffert must have given Zedan Racing the confidence to make the final bid of US$2 million over the internet. Collected, who was campaigned by Speedway Stables, earned US$2.975 million with a record of 8-2-1 in 15 races, 11 of which were in graded stakes.
"Magnificent," Lanni commented. "He is a beautiful, classy horse. Bob loved him, and we've been extremely lucky with the sire."
Malhouitre echoed a similar sentiment on the horse, "Everybody was very complimentary of the horse. A few people told us he was one of the best colts of the sale for Day 1. We thought we had a good horse, and they told us."