Keeneland November: Galileo, War Front mares fetch seven-figure price tags

by Joe Nevills and Nicole Russo

The power of internationally-acclaimed sires Galileo and War Front was in display during Wednesday's second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, as the young broodmares Peace Preserver and Precious Stone each garnered seven-figure price tags.

Grade 3 winner Peace Preserver, a War Front mare in foal to Galileo, sold for $1.95 million to Bridlewood Farm. She was consigned by Hill 'n' Dales Sales Agency.

A few minutes later, stakes-placed winner Precious Stone, a Galileo mare in foal to War Front, sold to Don Alberto Corp. for $1.8 million. She was consigned by Eaton Sales, as agent.

The power of combining sires Galileo, who stands at Coolmore's Irish base, and War Front, who stands at Claiborne Farm, was evident earlier in the day, as Aloof, a Galileo mare in foal to War Front, sold for a sale-leading $3.9 million. In addition to Aloof and Precious Stone, War Front is represented as the covering sire of two other seven-figure mares at the sale's first two sessions.

Peace Preserver won or placed in six stakes, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3 Noble Damsel Stakes on the Belmont Park turf. She bankrolled $382,166.

Out of the Forty Niner mare Preserver, Peace Preserver is a full sister to Grade 3 winner Jack Milton, and a half sister to graded stakes placed winners Stake and My Rachel, and to stakes-placed winner Dig Alittle Deeper.

The mare marked the third seven-figure purchase of the Keeneland November sale for Bridlewood.

"It's pretty unique breeding, and that's why we went after her," Bridlewood's George Isaacs said. "She has the race record, she's by War Front, in foal to Galileo. What's more to say? She went within our budget, a little less than what we thought she might bring, a little more than I'd like to pay, but it's all good. Hopefully she has a healthy foal and we'll go from there."

Precious Stone, stakes-placed in Ireland as a juvenile, is out of the stakes-winning Green Desert mare Anna Karenina. She is a full sister to Group 2 winner Battle of Marengo and to group stakes placed Perhaps.

Don Alberto Corp, which purchased Vinery last year, was also making its third seven-figure purchase of the Keeneland November sale.

"To have a Galileo in foal to War Front, what a great combination," said Fernando Diaz-Valdes, speaking for Don Alberto. "Now we hope for the best. I think the mare was very well-balanced, correct. I don't think someone would go to War Front, when it costs so much, to send a bad mare. To get a nice, well-bred mare is difficult these days."