John Ferguson, bloodstock agent to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, beat the Coolmore Stud to the purchase of the first foal from champion mare Fleet Indian in a lengthy bidding war on Tuesday. The foal, a bay colt named Storm 'N' Indian, fetched US$2.05 million (Dh 7.5m), the highest price of the afternoon at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in the USA.
He is from the last full crop of offspring from now-retired champion, stallion Storm Cat, who, by August 2008, had sired 32 group or Grade One winners and in his heyday was commanding fees of $500,000 for a single, live foal. Fleet Indian, champion mare in 2005, was unbeaten in five graded starts including Grade One contests, the Beldame Stakes and the Personal Ensign Stakes. "Fleet Indian was a champion and a star of a mare. He [the colt] is very athletic with a great pedigree," said Ferguson.
Ferguson was the leading buyer during the first two days of the 66th annual sale, acquiring 31 yearlings for a total of $13,460,000. Despite the big boost from Sheikh Mohammed, the cumulative gross sales figures for the opening two days were down 48.7 per cent. Ferguson also paid the second-highest price of the day, $1 million for a filly by the stallion Unbridled's Song and out of the graded stakes-winning mare Strawberry Reason.
The yearling is a half sister to the 2005 Grade Three Risen Stakes winner Scipion. "She's an outstanding individual, a real athlete," said Ferguson. "She was raised at Stone Farm, which everyone knows is one of the greatest nurseries in America." Meanwhile, Coolmore purchased an AP Indy colt for $1million at the sale. @Email:stregoning@thenational.ae
