Bedouin Bloodstock knocked the Jan. 9 opening session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale out of the park with their well-connected duo claiming top honors. The mare Evocative sold to agent Kerri Radcliffe for $550,000, and her Quality Road yearling filly sold to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low, at $450,000.
During Monday's session, the final two hips in the original catalog, both offerings from George Soros' SF Bloodstock program, gathered buyers in the back ring like sharks circling prey. Bidding on behalf of Coolmore, Radcliffe signaled a final bid for the mare, Evocative, who sold as Hip 399, in foal to Quality Road on an April cover.
"She's beautiful; just look at the pedigree, look at the individual," Radcliffe explained. "The yearling filly just sold for $450,000 (and) she's beautiful. When you see how nice the progeny is, it 100% gives you the confidence to purchase the mare."
Radcliffe added: "Coolmore has such an array of good stallions that it won't be hard to mate her."
The mare by Pioneerof the Nile is a half sibling to grade 2 stakes winners Chace City, by Carson City and Justwhistledixie , by Dixie Union, who is responsible for grade 1 winning sire New Year's Day , grade 2 winning sire Mohaymen , and grade 3 winners Enforceable and Kingly .
Radcliffe was the Day 1 leading buyer by gross with her single purchase. The late Pioneerof the Nile closed out the first session with three progeny offerings selling for gross receipts of $760,000 to be the session's leading sire.
