As the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale moved into Book 3 Nov. 11, the selectivity in the market sharpened its tooth, seeing the Ghostzapper mare Opening Act sell to Nice Guys Stable for $290,000. The 3-year-old mare sold in foal to first-year sire Golden Pal and is half sister to three-time grade 1 winner Bast , by Uncle Mo .
“She’s a beautiful mare, in foal on one cover, carrying a colt,” consignor Tommy Eastham said. “Body language counts even in the horse business. She came out and did everything we asked her to do. She had a tremendous amount of volume at the barn.”
Legacy Bloodstock consigned the mare as Hip 1223, carrying her first foal, due in February, to the dual Breeders’ Cup Champion. The page received a timely update when Opening Act’s younger sister, Royal Slipper, by Uncle Mo, won impressively on first asking Oct. 6 here at Keeneland in a maiden special weight by four lengths. The juvenile is campaigned by Michael Tabor and conditioner Wesley Ward.
As to the market status seen on the opening day of Book 3, Eastham admitted: “I’m a little surprised; it’s very polarized today. I have RNA’d them for $20,000 and then had her go for $290,000. It makes us better horsemen and consignors. We must take better care of our horses and watch them more. Little bitty penalties you used to be able to get away with are now 20% penalties and sometimes fatal in the sale.”
