Miss Isella provided some much needed fireworks during the second session of the Keeneland January Sale on Tuesday when she brought a winning bid of US$1,085,000. The 5yo grey mare was purchased by Adena Springs.
Miss Isella (Silver Charm) was a G2 winner of the Falls City Hcp, Louisville Distaff Stakes and Fleur de Lis Hcp at Churchill Downs. Adena Springs owner Frank Stronach said Miss Isella will be bred to his 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.
Day 2 at Keeneland saw turnover of $11.40 million from the sale of 228 horses. The average was up 14.8% to $50,005 which was a welcome return after the Day 1 average dropped 37.4% from the corresponding session in 2009.
Bon Jovi Girl (Malibu Moon) was next best on the leader-board when making $950,000 to Denali Stud. Her signature win last year was an 8 length romp in the Listed Susan’s Girl Stakes at Delaware Park. She was last seen finishing third in the G1 Gazelle Hcp at Aqueduct in November.
Bon Jovi Girl is a half-sister to Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) whose G1 scorecard last year included the Arlington Million, Man o’ War Stakes, Manhattan Hcp and Kilroe Mile. He was runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic behind champion mare Zenyatta.
“We’re going to see if she can put a G1 or G2 beside her name,” said Denali Stud’s Craig Banoroff. “We’d like to have her at Denali Stud soon but we will let (trainer) Bill Mott have some fun first.”
A colt by Darley sire Medaglia d’Oro topped the yearling section on day 2 when he was knocked down to Twin Peaks Bloodstock for $280,000. The California-bred youngster is a half-brother to 2004 San Clemente Hcp (G2) winner Sweet Win (King of Kings).