A Difficult Act To Follow
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 02:15PM 
Robert Sangster (getty)It seems only fitting that the late Robert Sangster, who paid a then world-record price of $13.1 million for a yearling at the 1985 Keeneland July sale, would have a hand in establishing a Keeneland November and world record for a broodmare. John Ferguson, representing Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, outlasted John Magnier and representatives of Coolmore—a stud Sangster helped develop into one of the world ’ s preeminent farms—to land English champion Playful Act (Ire) (Sadler ’ s Wells) yesterday. When the dust had settled, the Keeneland toteboard read $10.5 million, demolishing the previous record of $9.4 million for a broodmare achieved by Magical Romance at the 2006 Tattersalls December sale. The North American record was set by broodmare prospect Ashado, who sold for $9 million at this sale in 2005. “ I was delighted and surprised, I must say, but when those two get into battle, you never know what might happen, ” said Sangster ’ s son Ben, who now manages the family’s Swettenham Stud with his brothers Guy and Adam.
KEENELAND NOVEMBER
TOP BROODMARE/RACING PROSPECTS
Hip Name Covering Stallion Price ($)
231 Playful Act (Ire) not in foal 10,500,000
Purchased by John Ferguson
294 Spun Sugar A.P. Indy 4,500,000
Purchased by Shadwell Farm LLC
174 Kamarinskaya Kingmambo 3,200,000
Purchased by Kern Lillingston Association, agent
125 Evil Bernardini 2,700,000
Purchased by John Ferguson
204 Melhor Ainda Maria’ s Mon 2,300,000
Purchased by John Ferguson
257 Rosa Parks (GB) Kingmambo 2,300,000
Purchased by John Ferguson Bloodstock
263 Sand Springs Kingmambo 2,300,000
Purchased by RBTS, agent
037 Amorama (Fr) Ghostzapper 2,100,000
Purchased by Cecil Seaman, agent
Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News 06.11.07
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