Diamondsandpearls shows why her sale price was $1.7 million

ARCADIA, Calif. - Diamondsandpearls was bought for $1.7 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training in March; she was the most expensive hip of the prestigious sale.

The reason for the big-ticket purchase became apparent Sunday at Santa Anita.

In her debut, Diamondsandpearls led throughout a five-furlong maiden race for 2-year-old fillies to score by an easy 6 1/4 lengths.

“She’s like a first-round draft choice,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

“I thought she ran like we thought she would. Now we know why everyone wanted her.”

Ridden by Mike Smith, Diamondsandpearls took the lead shortly after the start and was in control of the race by the turn. Diamondsandpearls led by 3 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go and extended her lead in the final sixteenth.

Diamondsandpearls ($3) was timed in 58.03 seconds.

By Congrats, Diamondsandpearls attracted widespread attention when she worked a furlong in 9.80 seconds in the days before the March sale. She was listed as purchased by Kerri Radcliffe, agent, and is owned by the Phoenix Thoroughbreds III, Ltd.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds is a European-based investment fund for Thoroughbred holdings that has been active acquiring 2-year-old prospects in the United States and Europe this year. Radcliffe is the racing manager and the wife of English trainer Jeremy Noseda, who also trains for Phoenix Thoroughbreds.

“This was our first runner and first winner,” Radcliffe said.

She said Phoenix Thoroughbreds is a group of investors, but did not reveal any individual involved in the group.

Baffert compared Phoenix Thoroughbreds to the China Horse Club group, which has been actively buying horses around the world in recent years. China Horse Club co-owns Abel Tasman, the winner of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in May, who is trained by Baffert.

Diamondsandpearls will be part of Baffert’s stable at Del Mar. There are two graded stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar that may include Diamondsandpearls: the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 5 and the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 2.