Day 2 of the November Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland was a memorable day for Zach Madden of Buckland Sales. He sold My song consigned as Hip 550, for $700,000 to Gage Hill, with West Point’s Terry Finley signing the ticket.
“I would recruit mares while I was at Three Chimneys and some brought in (a lot), $1.9 million was the highest price. Since we founded Buckland, I’ve never been. sell a horse for such a large sum,” Madden said.
At the start of his shipment in 2016 at the same sale, Madden said he was grateful for the opportunity to sell the mare.
“The people we sold her to have been my friends for a long time,” Madden said. “We had a bit of a business hiatus. It’s our first time doing this in three or four years, which is obviously very important to me.
“Paula Haughey, who passed away a few years ago, was always so nice to me, giving me the biggest hug. Very affectionate. I love my daughter Kaitlin and husband Tom. They are the best. They can be. gave that mare to anyone and it was very special.”
7 year old daughter of Ghostzapper bred by John Antonelli of Kentucky from a West Acre 2nd grade winning mare Ivanavinalot . She is also Champion’s dam Lark who has made over $4 million in his career with an amazing 13-2-0 record in 15 starts.
My Song was sold to PTK for $800,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Selective Sale. She made five starts but never crossed the rope first. PTK brought the mare Curlin for the November sale.
“She’s an absolute queen. I’m pretty sure she’s the prettiest mare on the sales floor. It all just comes together,” Madden said. “Obviously, Curlin didn’t hurt anything, and his great weekend (at the Breeders’ Cup). She’s a rock star, her physicality, everything. Surpassable. Our expectations were amazing.”
Representing Finley is Will Farish, son of Bill Farish of Lane’s End, who is starting his own business. Will Farish said they were delighted to have the mare.
“She is beautiful, and we love Curlin mares, so we were happy to have her and for the price we got,” said Farish. “It’s been a fun start. It’s been a fun weekend, I’m really lucky.”
Song of Mine went on sale at the end of a steady and slower-paced day, and Madden said it took him a while after the mare returned from the ring.
“I have to walk to the barn. I texted my wife and I’m alone for five minutes. I don’t know what to do. Should cry, should laugh, make a stroller,” Madden said.
“I’m so glad she’s going to Lane’s End to (probably) be bred into a Flightline… That’s crazy. It’s a storybook. I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m one of those guys. big dog and this happens every day during the sale. It was huge for us. I had to go back and appreciate our group.”
