World Record Price for Broodmare at Keeneland

Hip 231 Playful Act, held by ringman Lisa Shelbourne, brings a world record final bid of $10.5 million in the sales ring at the Breeding Stock Sale. (AP Images)

With Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stud and Coolmore Stud of Ireland engaged in a bidding war for one of the industries top broodmares, there was quite the showdown.

The Ruler of Dubai came out on top by taking home, English champion Playful Act for a record $10.5 million. The former record holder was established last November by group I winner Magical Romance, costing a cool $9,358,608.

Of the racing and buying rivalry between Coolmore and Sheikh Mohammed when Robert Sangster was alive, Ben Sangster said: "They had a lot of respect for each other across the years in racing. They were in the game for a long time, and when one man had a winner, the other would congratulate him. They were very respectful of each other."

"From a European standpoint, she was an outstanding filly on the racetrack," said Ferguson of Playful Act. "Sadler's Wells has proven to be a great broodmare sire, as we all know, but most importantly, Sheikh Mohammed was determined to have this mare because of Robert Sangster, Swettenham Stud, and for everything Robert achieved. He felt very strongly that this was a mare that he very, very much wanted to own."

Raced by the Sangster family, Playful Act, took the win for the 2004 Meon Valley Stud Mile (Eng-I) and a pair of group II events in 2005, she finished second in the 2005 Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-1). Also noted, this Irish-bred horse is full sister to group II winner Percussionist and a half-sister to group II winner Echoes in Eternity and added-money winners Stylelistick and Petara Bay.

Just minutes before the end of the nine hour sale the second-highest priced horse went to Rick Nichols, general manager of Shadwell Stud, paying 4.5 million for Spun Sugar.

Keeneland spokesman Jim Williams said 194 horses were sold on the first day, with an average sale price of $562,186. A total of $109 million was spent on the first day of the sale, with a November-record 28 horses selling for more than $1 million.

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