Keeneland sale: Stonestreet buys Rachel Alexandra’s sister for $700,000

Samantha Nicole will join her full sister, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, at Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables after the wife of late owner and breeder Jess Jackson purchased the filly for $700,000 on Wednesday at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

A yearling filly by Medaglia d’Oro, Samantha Nicole sold without reserve as part of the dispersal of Dolphus Morrison, who also bred and owned Rachel Alexandra before selling her to Stonestreet following her win in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks. She is the first foal to sell at public auction out of Grade 2-placed stakes winner Lotta Kim.

Lotta Kim, an 11-year-old Roar mare, won 2 of 4 career starts, taking the Tiffany Lass Stakes and also finishing second in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes before an injury ended her career. The mare's first foal, and only starter thus far, was Rachel Alexandra, born in 2006. Her 2007 foal, an Empire Maker colt named Empire Ruler, died as a 2-year-old, and she did not produce another foal until Samantha Nicole last year. The mare was bred to Lookin At Lucky this past spring.

“I thought that was a fair price [for Samantha Nicole],” said John Moynihan, bloodstock adviser for Stonestreet. “She’s a sister to a Horse of the Year, so it was certainly fair.”

Moynihan said that Samantha Nicole would be sent back to Stonestreet, where a decision will be made about her racing future, including who will be her trainer. Rachel Alexandra was trained by Steve Asmussen after she was purchased by Stonestreet.

“We’ll keep her here for a while and get her broke,” Moynihan said. “Barbara won’t decide [her racing future] until next year.”

The Morrison dispersal is being handled by consignor Gainesway, agent.

“[Samantha Nicole] was here because the owner decided to disperse his stock after the Keeneland September sale had closed, so it’s a little unusual to have her here,” said Michael Hernon of Gainesway. “She got plenty of attention here at the barn. There was strong Japanese interest, there was strong upper-end domestic interest, and she’s going home to Stonestreet and join her sister there.