Keeneland September: Zayat, Coolmore partner on seven-figure Bernardini filly

by Matt Hegarty and Nicole Russo

A full sister to a pair of Grade 1 winners sold for $1.5 million to Zayat Stables and Coolmore, in partnership, Wednesday at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

The Bernardini filly was consigned by Gainesway, as agent. Justin Zayat, racing and stallion manager for his family's Zayat Stables, signed the ticket on the filly and would not disclose the terms of the partnership. He said his family had partnered on a horse with Coolmore once before, “but nothing in the last couple years.”

The Zayats, of course, campaign Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., upon his retirement from racing.

The filly is out of the stakes-winning Deputy Minister mare Pilfer, dam of millionaire To Honor and Serve, winner of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes and Grade 1 Cigar Mile; and Angela Renee, a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile last season. Both are by Bernardini. Another half-sibling, Elnaawi, is a Grade 1-placed stakes winner.

"[The filly] had all the parts, she passed the vetting, and you know, we loved her," Zayat said. "She’s a beautiful filly. When there’s a good one, you gotta stretch, and hopefully she’ll reward us. She’s got an unbelievable pedigree, a full to Honor and Serve and Angela Renee, so we’re excited about her."

Zayat added that no decision has been made as to who will train the filly.

Out of stakes winner Misty Hour, Pilfer is a half sister to Grade 2 winner India and to stakes winner Sing Softly.