A Princess for Summer Wind

About 40 hips before Sweet Lulu (Mr. Greeley) sold, Laura Jane Lyon’s shopping spree was well under way.

“I have to go break this to my husband,” laughed Summer Wind Farm’s Laura Jane Lyon after signing the ticket at $2.1 million for Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman).

The 6-year-old mare is the dam of standout juvenile American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and sold Monday carrying a full-sibling to the two-time Grade I winner. Asked what she liked about the mare, Lyon said, “Well, obviously, American Pharoah. We’re in the buiness to have broodmares who can produce horses like American Pharoah and hopefully she can do it again.” “It didn’t hurt,” Lyon admitted of the fact that the mare is back in foal to Pioneerof the Nile. “But I suspect a mare of that caliber could produce from any number of stallions that are out there” Lyon added, “The price was a little more than I’d hoped. More than likely, my husband is going to be shocked by this. If we call an ambulance here in about 15 minutes, you’ll know who it’s for.” 

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Littleprincessemma is a half-sister to graded stakes winners Storm Wolf (Stormin Fever) and Misty Rosette (Stormin Fever). The mare was purchased by Zayat Stables, which campaigns American Pharoah, for $250,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale. She produced a filly by WinStar’s Pioneerof the Nile for Zayat Stables this past spring.