Dam of U. S. S. Valor Brings $1 Million at Keeneland

Near the end of the fifth session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Nov. 7, the auction ring crackled with electric energy when Spangled Banner (Hip 1912) lit up the board for a cool $1 million. Bertie Butler struck the winning blow for the dam of impressive Champagne Stakes (G1) winner U. S. S. Valor, securing the mare on behalf of Saleh Al Otaibi's Al Ruwais Stables. Spangled Banner topped the fifth session of the sale and was the highest-priced horse to sell during the two-day Book 3 of the Keeneland November sale. Butler credited U. S. S. Valor's recent Champagne score as the driving force behind Al Ruwais Stables' determination to buy the mare. "That pushes you a lot. He's a very good horse," Butler said of U. S. S. Valor. "She had bred a good horse previously (Expressman), and she doesn't look her age. "She's a very nice mare and the boss wanted her; he really liked her. The update's good. I think he could be a very good horse." The 15-year-old Tiz Wonderful mare has produced five winners from six to race. In addition to U. S. S. Valor, the mare also produced the grade 1-placed Expressman (Liam's Map). Spangled Banner was offered in foal to Tiz the Law, who ranks 10th on the general sires list by progeny earnings through Nov. 6. His leading earner of 2026 is multiple grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) runner-up Fully Subscribed. Butler said he was well prepared to go into seven-figure territory for the mare. "I was speaking to two very good judges last night and they thought that's where she would land," Butler said. "You had to have a go; she's in foal to a good sire. I hope she's lucky." The Keeneland auction ring was familiar territory for Spangled Banner, who changed hands at six different Keeneland November auctions prior to Saturday's sale. She was most recently purchased through the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale in 2022 by Barry and Kathleen Irwin for $225,000. U. S. S. Valor was bred by Barry Irwin's Team Valor International. Spangled Banner was consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent. She was bred in Kentucky by Tim and Nancy Hamlin and is a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Ladyecho (Alphabet Soup). She hails from the immediate family of grade 1 winner and millionaire Curalina (Curlin). During Day 1 of the sale, Al Ruwais purchased Eve of War, the dam of Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) runner-up The Puma for $2.4 million.