It was an emotional evening for trainer Kevin Attard Nov. 4 as he watched his star mare Moira, fresh off her career-capping victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) just 48 hours earlier at Del Mar, bring down the hammer for $4.3 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Lexington.
"Having to watch her go, it's hard," Attard said with tears in his eyes. "Maybe it gets easier when you get more of these horses like this, but you don't know when the next one's coming if it ever comes. We knew this day was coming and it was tough.
"I wish her the best, we're hoping as a mom she throws horses just as good as her. I'm sure she will. She's a good horse, she's done a lot for me. Just a hard moment."
Watch: An Emotional Kevin Attard Reflects on Moira
The 2022 Queen's Plate winner and Canadian Horse of the Year, consigned as Hip 293, was purchased by a group called Bayles, who bid over the phone. Fasig-Tipton CEO Boyd Browning said he wasn't at liberty to unveil their identity, but assured they are a major international player in the Thoroughbred industry.
"It's a well-known major buying and breeding operation," Browning said. "It's totally 110% legitimate and major participants—international buyers."
Attard was also unfamiliar with the buyers, but said he had heard good things.
"I heard she's going to a good home. That's most important," Attard said. "She deserves that, just happy to hear that good people bought her. They'll be looking after her very well. I hope her next career is as good as on the racetrack. She's a champion in my eyes."
Bred in Ontario by Adena Springs, Moira is a daughter of Ghostzapper out of the multiple listed stakes-winning Unbridled's Song mare Devine Aida. Her Animal Kingdom half brother, Jungle Cry, is a stakes winner.
Moira raced for the partnership of Madaket Stables, SF Racing, and X-Men Racing. In 17 starts, all in stakes company, she held a record of 7-6-2 with $2,996,017 in earnings, three graded stakes victories, and four grade 1 placings.
In 2023, her connections had seller's remorse at the same November Sale and bought her back for $3 million. Both last year and this year she was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.
"She's a special filly, an incredible talent," said Hill 'n' Dale general manager Jared Burdine. "We wish the new owners the best of luck and are glad Donato (Lanni) entrusted us with representing him again."
It was a very successful day for Hill 'n' Dale as they sold 14 horses for more than $20.2 million, making it the leading consignor for the one-day sale.
"The sale was really strong across the board for us," Burdine said. "We got everything sold, even on the lower end. It was really strong and exceeded our expectations in almost every spot."
In addition to Moira, Hill 'n' Dale sold multiple grade 1 winner Adare Manor (Hip 214) to Northern Farm's Katsumi Yoshida for $2.8 million and multiple graded stakes winner Private Mission (Hip 177) to Summer Wind Equine for $2.6 million.
Bound for Japan, Yoshida's agent Shingo Hashimoto said they were undecided whether Adare Manor would be bred to an American stallion or go straight to her new home. He said that decision would come after the sale depending on what else they bought.
Yoshida purchased five mares for a total of $6.35 million, including grade 1 winner Queen Goddess (Hip 179, consigned by Bluewater Sales) for $1.5 million. However, Adare Manor was the highlight of their haul.
"She looked gorgeous. I thought she was one of the best fillies on the market this time," said Hashimoto. "We're very excited."
Private Mission likewise was at the top of Summer Wind's shortlist as they look to add younger broodmares that would be a good match for Flightline , whom they bred and co-owned throughout his remarkable career.
"Flightline, he was a dream that I never expected and never will be repeated," said Summer Wind owner Jane Lyon. "I'm looking for good mares to go to him, too. In my broodmare band, I have a lot of young Tapit mares. Obviously, they can't go to him. I have to find some others."
