Bell Rings Twice for Seven-Figure Mares

Bloodstock agent Reynolds Bell, Jr. was busy last night in Lexington, signing for no fewer than three horses, including a pair of seven-figure ladies led by the $2.15 million My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song). My Miss Sophia won this year’s 
GII Gazelle S. and was runner-up to pro-tem champion Untapable (Tapit) in the GI Kentucky Oaks. 

“She brought a little more than I thought, but she was special,” said Bell, who said he was acting on behalf of an existing client. “The buyer’s going to race her next year–I think people realized she was here to race–and I think that always adds a little more to the value.” 

Trainer Todd Pletcher purchased My Miss Sophia on behalf of Mathis Stable LLC for $260,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September Sale and sent her out to her biggest career victory in the Gazelle, when she beat the likes of Grade I winner Sweet Reason (Street Sense) by 7 1/4 lengths. 
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“She already has a good resume on the racetrack, and we hope to improve on it,” said Bell, who said he was unsure what trainer she’d be sent back to. 

Bell said he was representing a different client when he purchased Moyne Abbey (Charismatic), the dam of this year’s GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial S. winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), for $1 million. Ballantrae Sales, agent for William and Anne Lynn, consigned Moyne Abbey as Hip 114. The 12-year-old mare sold in foal to Blame. 
“Hopefully we’ll get a nice foal out of her, and I’ll talk to the new buyers on who he wants to breed her back to,” said Bell. “She’s already had a really nice horse by Hard Spun from the Danzig line, so we’ll probably look along those lines again.” 

Moyne Abbey, a winner at three, is a half to four stakes horses, including the graded winners Gulch Approval (Gulch) and Rusty Slipper (Lemon Drop Kid). 

“She’s a proven mare, and we think Wicked Strong could have a really big year next year,” said Bell, who added with a smile, “At least we hope that’s the case.” 

Bell also purchased the dam of another top 3-year-old last night. He paid $800,000 for Intensify (Unbridled’s Song), dam of the GII Risen Star winner Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday), who sold carrying a 3/4-brother to that ill-fated colt by juvenile champion Shanghai Bobby (Harlan’s Holiday). Intensify was sold as Hip 91 by Select Sales, whose principals–Carrie and Craig Brogden and Carrie’s mother Sandy Wilwerth–purchased Intensify for just $30,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November Sale. -LM