Yearling fetches record $3.4m

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

A handsome chestnut colt by Cowtown Cat out of My Morning Prayer fetched the record price of $3.4 million in yesterday's annual TOBA Yearling Sale, held in the official car park at Caymanas Park.

Bred by HAM Stables Limited, the yearling, foaled April 1, 2010, was purchased by the Trinidadian Baskaran Bassawh, who has had luck with his purchases in recent years, having bought this year's 2000 Guineas winner BIG MAN BOYU in 2009.

Entering the ring as Lot 195, the Cowtown Cat colt attracted an opening bid of $700,000 and thanks to some spirited bidding, erased last year's record of $3 million paid for MARK MY WORD'S half sister, a chestnut filly by Royal Minister out of Miss Chestnut (yet to race) bred also by Ham Stables Limited.

Bassawh, accompanied by his wife Maureen, purchased a total of four yearlings. They include Lot 41, a chestnut colt by Western Classic out of May Flower bred by Everglades Farms for $2.3 million; Lot 81, a bay filly by Region Of Merit out of Miss U Doc bred by Ralston Feanny for $1.4 million; and Lot 139, a bay filly by Alisios out of Tooting bred by former Bank of Jamaica Governor, Derrick Latibeaudiere, for $1.1 million.

Buyers from the Eastern Caribbean again impacted on the sale.

Former champion owner Elias Haloute, who hails from Barbados, bought a number of yearlings in partnership with Stephan Narinesingh, including Lot 77, a chestnut colt by Traditional out of Glittering Cat for $1.5 million; while T&T owner Nizam Mohammed shelled out millions for four yearlings - including a bay colt (Lot 49) by He'stherealthing out of Bella In Bloom, bred by Raymond 'Mitta' Rousseau, for $1.5 million.

Bassawh, who is president of the T&T Owners' Association, indicated that his sales-topping colt would eventually race in Trinidad.

"At this stage I haven't decided how long he'll stay in Jamaica, but more than likely he will leave early next year," he said.

"I came here to acquire some good horse flesh and have high hopes that a champion will be among the batch," he added.

As many as 168 of the 217 yearlings offered were sold for a combined total of $113.8 million. TOBA president Howard Hamilton said he was pleased.

"Despite the problems were are having with the government's recognition of the importance of racing, the sale was highly successful," said Hamilton.

"The stockholders still have some level of confidence that good sense will prevail in the resolution of the problems that afflict the industry," he added.

Auctioneers were Oliver Flowston and Billy Kelly.