Mares in Foal to Curlin Hot Commodity for Don Alberto

Don Alberto Corporation added another quality broodmare to its world-class band Nov. 7, waiting until the final 10 hips of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale's second session to purchase Jumby Bay for $510,000.

"We're happy with the sale and very happy with the home since she's going to Don Alberto, which is right down the street," said Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales, which consigned the mare as Hip 677. 

Bred in Kentucky by Marbat, Jumby Bay is the second foal born to the Tiznow  mare Rote, who has also produced grade 2-placed Royal Obsession. The mare's second dam, Song to Remember, was a prolific producer whose notable runners include Garden City Breeders' Cup Stakes (G1T) winner Magnificent Song. 

Jumby Bay was purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners for $140,000 as a yearling from the Gainesway consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Trained by Todd Pletcher, she made 15 starts for Eclipse, running second in both the Gasparilla Stakes and Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. 

She was offered to the Keeneland November sale in foal to Hill 'n' Dale Farms sire Curlin . 

"She was owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who raced her. Her pedigree was very appealing being by City Zip—a wonderful family, very deep," Levy said. "Interestingly enough, Eclipse has had very good luck with Curlin. So being in foal to that horse, it seems like she met the market." 

Jumby Bay was the second mare in foal to Curlin to be purchased by Don Alberto at the Lexington auction house. The breeding operation went to $1.2 million Nov. 6 to secure Bernina Star, a daughter of Harlan's Holiday consigned as Hip 173 by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Bred in Kentucky by Siena Farms out of the Bernardini  mare Date to Remember, Bernina Star placed third in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) in 2018 at Del Mar for owner D P Racing. Trained by James Cassidy, the 5-year-old earned $251,516 from 23 starts. 

Levy said the market seemed somewhat spotty during the second session, with demand for quality weanlings driving many of the buyers to higher prices. 

"I thought the market was pretty choosy. It looks like it's becoming a little more polarized," Levy said. "If you have it all, everything that people are looking for, like updates and current family—particularly if you're in foal to a first-year horse—you can get the money as far as the mares go. The weanling market … if they vet, are big, strong, and commercial. They'll bring twice what you think. But it is getting a little more polarized. We will see what happens."