Breeding & Racing Magazine

Keeneland Jan Day-1: US$825,000 Elusive Diva

Also in early action on Day-1 at Keeneland, the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm (acting on behalf of Ramona Bass) paid US$825,000 for multiple Gr3-winning 8YO mare Elusive Diva (in-foal to former Coolmore shuttler Giants Causeway) consigned from Craig & Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud as agent. Elusive Diva (Elusive Quality-Taj Aire, by Taj Alriyadh) won the 2004 Gr3 Railbird Stakes, 2005 Gr3 Las Cienegas Handicap, 2005 Gr3 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap & 2005 Wishing Well Handicap & earned US$484,510. Bass told bloodhorse.com: "When I looked at her, I just fell in love with her & she's such a great race mare; that's the exciting thing for me. I've been breeding a long time, but I've never had such a nice race mare. She is going to Claiborne Farm & live the life of luxury. I'll be doing home-breeding, but I might sell one (of Elusive Diva's foals) here or there. I like to race." On the price, Bass added: "The good mares are going to go for (good) money, period. But I think it was a great price for her. It was the top of my limit. That was it. I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled."