Bell's the One a $1.3 Million 'Collector's Item'

The Lothenbach Stables complete dispersal brought fireworks to the ring during Day 2 of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale Feb. 6 as two well-bred, stakes-winning mares cracked the seven-figure ceiling.

The dispersal was topped by Lothenbach's grade 1- winning mare Bell's the One  (Hip 476), who sold to agent Catherine Hudson for $1.3 million.

"We loved her and I purchased her for a private client who is an admirer of collector's items," said Hudson. "She's a beautiful mare and we appreciate her, racing, and everything the Lothenbach family did for racing."

The 8-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection  earned more than $2 million, with 13 wins from 27 starts. She was an 11-time stakes winner, including five graded victories. Her career, which ended in 2022, was highlighted by a victory in the 2020 Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.

"She was an absolute queen on the racetrack," said Matt Bowling, co-owner of consignor Vinery Sales. "We had a lot of interest from international buyers and domestic buyers. We're very pleased Catherine bought her."

Hudson said plans are to keep Bell's the One in the United States. No firm decisions have been made as far as her breeding plans in 2024.

"We have the Gun Runner option," Hudson said. "We think the Justify book is closed, but we are hoping it might reopen. We will be speaking with a couple of farms."

The Lothenbach Dispersal on Day 2 saw a strong market as the 54 horses offered sold for a combined $7,938,500, with an average price of $147,009. The median was $62,500. The dispersal's two-day total surpassed $8.26 million.

"We're really pleased with the reception we've gotten on them," Bowling said.

Hudson said she had been up since 3 a.m. concerned about how high the client would go for Bell's the One. She expected strong competition from the Japanese, among others.

"I didn't think my client would go any more than $1 million," Hudson said. "I was very happy when he said go on with it. He appreciates collector's items."

Jes Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa also saw tough competition for Lothenbach's horses.

"There were one or two that I wanted to swing at earlier that were a little bit higher than I thought," Sikura said. "The market seems vibrant in the right places and it was exciting to get involved."

Sikura's involvement included the second-highest price amongst the dispersal, graded stakes winner She Can't Sing  (Hip 485). Sikura and his father, John, went to $1.1 million to purchase the 7-year-old daughter of Bernardini for the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa broodmare band.

"We were willing to pay a high price for something so quality," Sikura said. "She's beautiful, a very talented racehorse. Curlin loves Bernardini. Hopefully, we get a beautiful foal out of it."

A few hips later, She Can't Sing's half brother (Hip 494), an Into Mischief   short yearling colt, sold for $650,000 to North Ocean Equine.

Sikura also signed for client Imaginary Partners on stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Audrey's Time  (Hip 474), who went for $525,000.

"They're somewhat commercial breeders," Sikura said. "We've been working on buying some good breeding stock."

A 7-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo  , Audrey's Time is in foal to Into Mischief. According to Sikura, no immediate plans are in place for the foal or the mare, although they do plan to keep her in Kentucky.

"The Into Mischief foal, we'll see how it goes," Sikura said. "Probably sell as a yearling, but that's a later decision."