Grade 1 Winner Maxim Rate Hammers at $1.2M

Gamely Stakes (G1T) winner Maxim Rate  is headed to Japan after bringing a final bid of $1.2 million from Ever Union Shokai during the Nov. 10 opener of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

The 5-year-old Exchange Rate  mare was consigned as Hip 191 by Eaton Sales, agent.

Campaigned by Slam Dunk Racing, Stable Currency, and James Branham and trained by Simon Callaghan, the filly tore up the turf at 3, placing second in the 2019 Providencia Stakes (G3T) and winning the Senorita Stakes (G3T), both at Santa Anita Park. She turned on the heat at 4 with wins in the CTT and TOC Stakes and in the Goldikova Stakes (G2T), adding a close second in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T).

This year she reached the highest level in the Gamely at Santa Anita and was third-best in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar. She retires with a record of 6-3-1 from 18 starts and earnings of $625,185. She wrapped her career with a fifth in the Sept. 4 John C, Mabee Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar.

Maxim Rate is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Catch My Eye, a full sister to stakes-placed Miss Luann and a half sister to stakes-placed Choice Play. Miss Luann has produced Nomorerichblondes, winner of the 2017 U.A.E. Oaks Sponsored by Al Naboodah Ashok Leyland (G3) and second in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors at Meydan. Her Kitten's Joy   filly Sharp Kitty  became a stakes winner in the 2016 Christmas Past Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park.

Agent Ken Mishima signed the ticket for the distinct gray mare, commenting: "The price was high, but she has nice conformation and is a nice mare. She will go to Japan before (mating) plans are finalized."  

"I actually thought she was the best bargain of the past few days," said Reiley McDonald of Eaton Sales. "She is stunningly beautiful; won graded stakes at 3-, 4-, and 5-years-old, and in this market, I thought she would have brought more, but she sold, and I am happy for her connections." 

As the evening wound down, McDonald reflected: "You can't quibble with seven figures, and from that standpoint, it was an excellent sale."