Five-time Grade I-winning multi-millionaire and Breeders' Cup champion Lady Eli (Divine Park–Sacre Coeur, by Saint Ballado) will be offered for sale by Hill 'n' Dale Farms in their Keeneland November Breeding Stock consignment.
“All of us in every aspect of the game live to be around the best horses and this is an extremely rewarding experience to be able to consign a horse of her caliber,” said Hill 'n' Dale President John G. Sikura. “It's an honor to have her in our consignment. Horses like her really become public property with such a fan following and we appreciate the opportunity to offer her to elite breeders from all over the world. We hope her broodmare career will be as spectacular as what she's done at the racetrack. She is class personified and the best of the best. I hope she can win another Breeders' Cup, as well as the Eclipse Award she richly deserves.”
A $160,000 Keeneland September yearling and $160,000 Keeneland April 2-year-old, Lady Eli broke her maiden first time out at Saratoga and capped off an undefeated juvenile season with an impressive victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf where she defeated four Grade I performers and was later named an Eclipse finalist.
At three, Lady Eli defeated top fillies Miss Temple City (Temple City) and Sunset Glow (Exchange Rate) in the GIII Appalachian S. at Keeneland and added an authoritative victory over an international field in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational by 2 3/4 widening lengths before contracting, and–ultimately–overcoming a much publicized battle with laminitis.
“She had that willingness to overcome, but to get back to that highest level is really something else,” Sikura said. “Maybe she's the best now that she's ever been and full credit is owed to the owners and to trainer Chad Brown for doing such a great job with her. With gratitude we're offering her to the public. We're proud of what we've accomplished in the ring, but I know we've never had the privilege of offering a mare with this kind of resume. Turf horses are an international currency and she's an elite performer on the surface most covet. I don't see a deficit.”
Lady Eli established herself as one of the favorites for the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, returning to the winner's circle with an impressive victory in the GI Flower Bowl S. at Belmont, but was nosed out in the final jump at Santa Anita.
Kept in training for a 5-year-old campaign, Lady Eli dropped a narrow decision in her seasonal return in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley S., but has since bounced back to win the GI Gamely S. (video) while forced to race atypically handy to the pace, and Saratoga's GI Diana S. (video). First or second in all 12 of her career starts, Lady Eli has amassed earnings of $2,719,800 and is pointing for a return to the Filly and Mare Turf.
“We have been incredibly fortunate to be a part of the story of Lady Eli. She has given us, our friends, and our families the thrill of a lifetime through her five Grade I wins,” said partners Sol Kumin and Jay Hanley in a statement. “However, the true joy of owning Lady Eli has been witnessing her impact on the multitude of industry members, racing fans and general public. She has inspired the masses through her enormous heart and determination to persevere in the face of adversity. She is a racing icon and an ambassador for this sport that cannot be replicated. We thank all those that worked so hard to raise, nurture and heal her over her lengthy career. She is truly the horse of a lifetime.”
When asked by the TDN what went into the decision to sell Lady Eli rather than breed her themselves, Kumin and Hanley said, “The decision to sell Lady Eli rather than breed her was, as one might imagine, an impossible decision. The answer is not because we don't love her. The answer is not because we don't stand in awe of her accomplishments on and off the track.
We pinch ourselves every day for being the lucky stewards for this wonderful mare throughout her racing career. The answer is, quite simply, that at this point our primary intention in the Thoroughbred industry is to race, not to breed. Breeding a mare of this magnitude and one this historically significant is an entirely different endeavor, and one that we are not currently prepared to undertake.”
A half-sister to MGSW Bizzy Caroline (Afleet Alex), Lady Eli is out of a winning half-sister to GSW Jacodra's Devil (Devil's Bag) and hails from the female family of Grade II-winning juvenile filly Changing Ways (Time For a Change), GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Tejano Run (Tejano) and MG1SW Alwuhush.
“The brilliant Lady Eli has a strong connection to Keeneland, where she sold twice,” said Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston. “It's an honor for Keeneland to have the opportunity to feature her at our upcoming November Breeding Stock Sale.”
“I think she's one of the all-time great turf mares,” added trainer Chad Brown.
Added Sikura, “She's a great physical, a big beautiful mare. She has as much versatility as you can expect in an elite performer. To race at a top level for four years is almost unheard of.”
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