Tattersalls: Canadian champion sold, retired

Last year’s Canadian champion turf mare, Miss Keller, is retired after selling Monday in England at the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale’s first mare session. The four-day auction in Newmarket, England, kicked off with strong gains across the board.

Three Chimneys Sales consigned Miss Keller, winner this year of the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes. Paul Fudge’s Australian operation Waratah Thoroughbreds bought Miss Keller, a 5-year-old Montjeu mare, for 625,000 guineas, or about $1,017,188. Agent Michael Goodbody said after making the purchase that Miss Keller will not run again.

The Kern Lillingston agency struck a private deal for the mare in July 2009 that sent her from Ireland to Three Chimneys Racing’s United States string. Three Chimneys Racing campaigned Miss Keller in partnership with Lordship Stud and Clodagh McStay.

The first of four breeding stock sessions sold 168 horses for a total of $17,214,068, up 19 percent from last year’s gross for 161 horses. The $102,465 average price was up 14 percent. The $49,639 median climbed 17 percent. The buy-back rate was 27 percent, as compared with 28 percent in 2010.

The sale was to continue in Newmarket through Thursday.