LEXINGTON, Ky. - Joe Estes, a revered bloodstock commentator and researcher, observed that the two most important and reliable tests for selecting the best broodmares and stallions were, first of all, their performances on the racecourse and, second, the evidence provided by their offspring on the racetrack.

Using those criteria, Estes would have given exceptional marks to Windsharp, the relatively young mare who sold for $6.1 million at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale on Tuesday. Mill Ridge Sales consigned the mare on behalf of The Thoroughbred Corporation.

RAMONA, Calif. - After all that has transpired in the past 18 months - or 18 days, depending upon the crisis - it should come as no surprise that Betty Mabee failed to take note of a significant anniversary in the history of her Golden Eagle Farm racing operation.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Free House was considered an overachiever as he rose to the top of California racing in the late 1990's. When he went to stud in 2000, the outlook had changed: The horse who hailed from modest bloodlines finished his career with eight stakes wins and earnings of $3.1 million, leading to high expectations for his stud career.

The impact of Free House on the sport will not be known for years, but his owner-breeders - Trudy McCaffery and John Toffan - are optimistic that he can have a lasting influence on breeding and racing.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - They were done selling $7 million mares on Wednesday when Keeneland's November breeding stock sale rolled into its third day, but the prices remained strong overall. By 5:30 p.m. Eastern, the session leader was the $425,000 mare Red n'Gold.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The name of John Ferguson, the regular buying agent for Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum, wasn't on the buyers' list very often on Monday at the Keeneland November breeding stock's opening session. But he made up for it on Tuesday, spending $6.1 million to acquire the day's top lot - Johar's dam, Windsharp, from the late Prince Ahmed Salman's The Thoroughbred Corp.

Ferguson's assignment was simple: get that mare.

LAS VEGAS - As soon as the Breeders' Cup Juvenile was over, the debate over this year's muddled 2-year-old championship and next year's Kentucky Derby began.

Lexington farms Hill 'n' Dale and Vinery have added new stallions to their rosters, their owners said Tuesday.

John Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale, confirmed that the farm has privately purchased freshman sire Doneraile Court from Doug Arnold's Buck Pond Farm in Versailles, Ky., and will stand the horse for $15,000 in 2004.

Doneraile Court, a son of Seattle Slew and the sire of Grade 2 winner Ruler's Court, is North America's third-leading freshman sire.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Cash Run proved true to her name at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, where she sold in foal to Storm Cat for $7.1 million, a world record for a broodmare.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Grade 1 winner Whywhywhy, who was retired last month, will stand his initial season at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington for a $7,500 fee.

Three-year-old Whywhywhy joins his sire, Mr. Greeley, at Spendthrift.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - When the 11-day Keeneland November breeding stock sale opens Monday, it will be bolstered by such mares as Sharp Cat, Spain, Windsharp, and Turko's Turn from the late Prince Ahmed Salman's Thoroughbred Corporation. It should also be bolstered by a good sales climate, as seen by the strong performance of many yearling sales this year.