UK-Based Ace Bloodstock Hits $5M for Puca

The anticipation was palpable in Fasig-Tipton's Lexington sales pavilion Nov. 3. Three-and-a-half hours into the prestigious sales company's The November Sale, aka the "Night of Stars," one of the biggest, brightest, and certainly highly prolific stars entered the sales ring. The seats surrounding the ring, which had been half full before Puca appeared, were quickly filled to capacity to see the dam of three grade 1 winners—two of which came in classics. The spaces lining the back walls were two-deep with spectators, and the window-lined hallway packed with onlookers just hoping for a glimpse of what was about to transpire. After all, Fasig-Tipton said it had been 17 years since the reigning Broodmare of the Year had been up for sale. Puca did not disappoint. The dam of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage, Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) victor Dornoch, and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Baeza, sold for $5 million. The ticket was signed as Raging Torrent Syndicate by United Kingdom-based Ace Stud bloodstock and racing manager Paul Curran. Ace Stud is the rebranded name of Yulong Investments. Puca was consigned as Hip 135 by ELiTE, agent. Curran said that Puca will stay in the United States, but down the road, breeding her to one of their stallions based outside of the United States could be under consideration. "We're thrilled," he said. "We just picked up probably one of the best broodmares in the U.S. at the moment. So, yeah, phenomenal. Really exciting." Curran said part of the plan with Puca is to have her support sires Raging Torrent and Carl Spackler (IRE), both of whom will be standing next year at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. The latter's retirement from racing was announced Monday. READ: Carl Spackler Retired, Entering Stud at Lane's End Who the first pairing will be with has not been decided. Those involved with the decision will "digest what's just happened," Curran said. "Anywhere you go in the world, she's a phenomenal, phenomenal mare," Curran said. "That's really, really special now that she's ours." Curran said that he and Ace paid no attention to any speculation about how much Puca's previous owner John Stewart of Resolute Racing had hoped to sell the standout mare. Curran thought the $5 million price tag came in for less than he anticipated. Ace is planning on being active in Kentucky over the next couple of weeks in trying to support its stallions with quality mares. In addition to Puca, the Raging Torrent Syndicate purchased Violent Wave, a daughter of Violence who is in foal to leading sire Into Mischief. Consigned as Hip 173 by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, the mare sold for $1.5 million. Ace Stud also purchased Mylinda's Grey, a $575,000 broodmare prospect consigned by Hartwell Farm, agent for Alastar Farm, as Hip 124.