Keeneland sale: Zazu goes to Japan for $2.1 million

Photos by Z/Keeneland

Katsumi Yoshida paid $2.1 million for Zazu on Monday at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Zazu sold to Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm for $2.1 million during the first session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, continuing the strong activity Japanese buyers have shown at Fasig-Tipton’s November selected fall mixed sale and at Keeneland over the past 24 hours.

The 4-year-old Tapit filly, who was sold as a broodmare prospect, had a banner year in 2011, winning the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes and Lady’s Secret Stakes as well as the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks. She finished her career with 4 wins from 12 starts and earnings of $691,985.

Zazu is out of the winning Mr. Greeley mare Rhumb Line, who is a producer of three winners from four to start, including Group 2-placed winner Art Princess and stakes winner Corinthian’s Jewel. Her notable family members include Grade 3 winners Renewed and Herecomesthebride.

“We have her half-sister, Art Princess [purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $400,000 at the 2012 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale],” said Shunsuke Yoshida, who signed the ticket for Zazu. “Zazu was a very nice racehorse, and we looked at her the first time here and decided we wanted her.”

Bred in Kentucky by Summerhill Equine, Zazu was owned during her racing career by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Sadler. She was consigned by Lane’s End, agent.

“I think they’re very happy with the price,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End, talking about the Mosses. “She’s a tough one to see go, because she’s such a great broodmare prospect. I don’t know exactly what went into the decision to sell her. It’s a numbers thing. I think they didn’t want to keep as many mares, so when you’ve got Zenyatta back at home, it’s a little easier to part with Zazu, but it’s still tough to see her go. They really hated to part with her.”

Zazu was sold as a weanling for $100,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall selected mixed sale, then was purchased by the Mosses at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale for $285,000.