Sheikh Mohammed strikes for $700,000 Speightstown colt

by Jeff Lowe

A $700,000 Speightstown colt was one of two horses snatched up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum within about ten minutes on Monday morning in the opening session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Bloodstock agent John Ferguson bid alongside his client, Sheikh Mohammed, in their customary spot behind the sales ring.

The Speightstown colt was the top price through the first 50 hips. Consigned by Dromoland Farm, agent, the colt is a half brother to Grade 3 winner Elusive Diva, by Darley sire Elusive Quality.

After waiting for a few minutes while Tom Tate bought a Storm Cat half brother to Grade 1 winner Frost Giant for $300,000 and BBA Ireland signed for a Bernardini half brother to leading freshman sire Tapit, Ferguson jumped back in with the purchase of a Medaglia d’Oro half sister to Grade 1 winner Taste of Paradise for $300,000.

Darley bought a majority interest in Medaglia d’Oro this spring.

Ferguson , who declined an interview request when Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage left their bidding position, also bought a Storm Cat colt for $300,000 earlier in the morning.

Sheikh Mohammed’s trio boosted mixed results over the first two hours of the sale, which included fifteen horses from the first 41 horses in the catalog who were listed as reserve not attained.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer