Fasig-Tipton November: Mizdirection sells to Qatar’s Al Shaqab Racing for $2.7 million

Two days removed from her second consecutive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, Mizdirection sold to Sheikh Joaan Al Thani’s Qatar-based Al Shaqab Racing, represented by Mandore International, for $2.7 million on Monday at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall selected mixed sale.

The 5-year-old Mizzen Mast mare, who sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, entered the ring with 11 wins in 17 career starts for earnings of $1,719,621. In addition to her Breeders’ Cup wins, the mare is a two-time winner of the Monrovia Stakes, once as a Grade 2 and once as a Grade 3, and the Las Cienegas Stakes, which was promoted from listed to Grade 3 in the years that she won.

“She brought a bit more than I thought she’d bring,” said Case Clay, president of Three Chimneys Sales Agency, which consigned the mare as agent. “She got off the van about three o’clock [Sunday] afternoon, and she didn’t turn a hair. It got very busy, and she started showing that whole hour until we closed at about 4:30. I think people were very impressed with that. She looked like a million bucks. At about two o’clock today, all the right people started coming back and we thought we were in pretty good shape on her.”

Bred in Kentucky by Joseph Perrotta, Mizdirection is is one of four winners from as many foals to race out of the placed Clever Trick mare Deceptive, whose produce also includes stakes winner Hurricane Bernie.

Aside from her Breeders’ Cup success, Mizdirection is perhaps best known for being co-owned by well-known sports show host Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing. Following the mare’s second Breeders’ Cup win, Rome expressed regret about sending his prized runner through the ring, but acquiesced that parting with a valuable asset is part of the Thoroughbred business.

“One of the only things I don't like about this business is that it's a business,” Rome said. “Mizdirection saved my racing life. The Miz ride has been one of the great experiences of my life. But the fact is before we got in business, the Mizdirection business, I always had a great passion for the sport, but we got our brains beaten in and we lost a lot of money.

“It's so rare to have an opportunity to take money off the table, and I want to see her go out a champion,” he continued. “I want her off the track. I want her to have a good life as a mama, and I think the time is right to sell. It's gut wrenching. It's tearing me up, but from a business standpoint, and this is a business, it's something we need to do.”

Shiekh Joaan Al Thani is the son of the Emir of Qatar. He has begun to make global waves throughout the Thoroughbred industry in 2013, both on the racetrack and in the sales arena: First winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Treve, then spending a world-record amount for a yearling filly, going to about $8.86 million for a daughter of Galileo at the Tattersalls October yearling sale.

Mizdirection was one of several offerings to surpass seven figures during the middle section of the Fasig-Tipton November sale. Below are some of the mares to sell for $1 million or more:

- Grade 1 winner Careless Jewel sold to Summer Wind Farm for $1.85 million. She was consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and is in foal to Bodemeister.

- Kia-Ora Stud Australia continued an active day of buying, acquiring Grade 2 winner Pure Fun for $1.35 million. Lane’s End consigned the racing or broodmare prospect as agent.

- Nefertini, a Grade 2-winning Empire Maker mare, sold in foal to Tapit for $1.25 million. Reynolds Bell purchased Nefertini as agent for Alpha Delta, and she was consigned by Four Star Sales as agent for Glencrest Farm.

- Palace Rumor, dam of Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice, was secured by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.1 million. The Royal Anthem mare, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, sold in foal to Mineshaft.