Day 1 Keeneland January Sale – Nereid knocked down for $1.30 million

Group 1 American Oaks winner Nereid was the star turn on Day 1 of the Keeneland January Sale when she changed hands for $1.30 million.

The Rock Hard Ten mare was purchased by Lane Seliger of Baumann Stables.  Formerly trained by John Shirreffs, she was last seen finishing second to Marketing Mix in the G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes in September.

Nereid is from Belong to Me mare Dowry who is a half-sister to stakes performers Malibu Win (Malibu Moon), The Herc (Lord Carson), Mighty Clever (Clever Trick) and Dixie Mon (Maria’s Mon).

Second on Monday’s leader-board was Stonestreet Stables G2 winner Potesta at $800,000.  The Macho Uno filly won a Hollywood Park maiden by 11 lengths early last year prior to claiming the G2 Hollywood Oaks.  She returned in September for a dominant 7 length victory in the LR Torrey Pines Stakes (1600m) at Del Mar setting a track-record time of 1.34.86s.

Potesta’s career was curtailed after suffering a fractured to her near foreleg in September.

Next best price was Princess Arabella (Any Given Saturday) who made $725,000 to the bid of Summer Wind Farm.  She was sold in foal to Tapit.

Princess Arabella was trained by Bob Baffert to win maiden and allowance races at Santa Anita before blitzing the Sunland Park Oaks by 8 lengths in March.  She was subsequently diagnosed with a career-ending ligament injury.

The top selling yearling on Day 1 at Keeneland was a Distorted Humor colt purchased by Regis Farms for $300,000.  He  is the first foal from Endless Journey (A.P. Indy), a full sister to G2 winning sire Jump Start.

Overall trade on Day 1 saw 201 lots total $15.33 million.  The average rose 14% to $76,276 compared to the same session in 2012.  The median dipped 6% to $30,000.

The five-day sale runs through to Friday.  Full details can be viewed at:  www.keeneland.com