Dam of The Puma Sells for $2.4 Million at Keeneland

Eve of War, the dam of Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) runner-up The Puma, created the initial fireworks Nov. 3 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Her sales price was exceeded a short time later in the opening session when the mare Flag Day sold for $2.9 million. Al Ruwais Stables purchased the 9-year-old Eve of War, cataloged as Hip 65 and sold in foal on a March cover to Sierra Leone. Hidden Brook consigned the daughter of Declaration of War, who won $75,450 and showed in the 2020 Monmouth Oaks (G3) in her top racing achievement. "We bought a quarter of The Puma five weeks ago, and thought we'd better get the mother," said Bertie Butler, who signed the ticket on behalf of Saleh Al Otaibi's Al Ruwais Stables. "We came with another (horse) in mind, but he (Al Otaibi) wants to build up a good broodmare band and good horses to race, basically for big races around the world. He's a very nice man, a very good man, and wants to be in the game for the right reasons." Al Ruwais purchased two horses at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale Monday evening, including In It for the Gold, the dam of Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Englishman, for $2.1 million. Butler was accompanied Tuesday at Keeneland by Ramiro Restrepo, who purchased The Puma for $150,000 as a 2-year-old at last year's Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. "He bought The Puma as a 2-year-old and the rest speaks for itself," Butler said. Butler said he did not plan to go that high for the mare, but he said. "The guys wanted her and they were on the phone and said 'Keep going.' So you do what the boss says. "I like the covering (Sierra Leone) and the mare. The foal (Hip 66) was nice and The Puma, he's the icing on the cake." Eve of War was bred in Kentucky by Jeff Treadway and purchased by Hidden Brook Farm in 2021 for $135,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Mixed Sale. Hidden Brook offered the mare in 2022 at the Keeneland November Sale, with The Puma in utero, where she failed to meet her reserve, bringing a final bid of $245,000. The Puma, a son of Essential Quality, was Eve of War's first foal. She also has a 2-year-old colt by Charlatan who was sent to Russia; a Nyquist yearling colt; and a Practical Joke colt born this year. The Puma has earned more than $2.3 million for his connections. "She (Eve of War) was born at our farm and so was The Puma," said Sergio de Sousa, partner of Hidden Brook Farm. "It's just great. Things all lined up for us. We're commercial breeders, and when things work out like that, it is unbelievable. "We hate to see her go, but that's how we make our living. We couldn't be happier for Ramiro and his connections."