Zetta Z, Dam of Nysos, Sells for Record Price at 'Fantastic' Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale

The Kentucky Winter Mixed sale ended Tuesday with across-the-board gains, establishing new records for gross, average, and median at the early February sale. Conducted at the Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky, the sale's historic numbers were bolstered by the complete dispersal of Lothenbach Stables' breeding stock and yearlings, which include the first three seven-figure horses sold at the Kentucky Winter Mixed sale.

Zetta Z (Hip 536), the dam of undefeated multiple graded stakes winning three-year-old colt Nysos (Nyquist), topped the session and the sale when sold for a sale-record $2,000,000 (video). Coolmore Stud purchased the mare, who was offered in foal to first-crop sire Cyberknife, from the consignment of Grovendale Sales, agent. The Bernardini mare was a late addition to the catalogue after Nysos's eye-catching victory in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita.

"Being the dam of a beautiful colt with his whole future ahead of him, she was a must have," said Adrian Wallace, who signed the ticket on behalf of Coolmore. "She's a beautiful mare. She completely stood out."

Zetta Z is the dam of four winners from five to race, including, in addition to Nysos, the stakes placed Distorted Humor filly Attabe. The mare is out of Seresa's Spirit, an unraced daughter of Rahy out of Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Unbridled Elain, from the immediate family of Grade 2 winners Glitter Woman and Political Force.

Prior to Zetta Z's $2,000,000 price tag, the previous Kentucky Winter Mixed sale record was shared by a pair of broodmares each sold for $900,000. Pool Land, in foal to Smart Strike, sold in 2013 and Better Begin, in foal to Northern Dancer, sold in 1984, both achieved that price.

"It was a really good horse sale," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "There was trade at all levels. There was bidding at all levels… and we were fortunate enough to have a major update on Saturday and the connections associated with the dam of Nysos saw that it made sense to take advantage of the opportunity (to sell dam Zetta Z) and were rewarded."

Grade 1 winner Bell's the One (Hip 476) was responsible for the day's second highest price when sold for $1,300,000 to Catherine Hudson, agent, from the consignment of Vinery Sales, agent for Lothenbach Stables Complete Dispersal (video). A five-time graded stakes winner whose top score came in the 2020 Derby City Distaff S. (G1) over Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress, Bell's the One earned just over $2,000,000 on the track. She was offered as a broodmare.

"She's a beautiful mare," said Catherine Hudson, who purchased Bell's the One as agent. "We were just very very fortunate to be able to step up and buy her to stay in America."

Graded stakes winner She Can't Sing (Hip 485), scored the session's third seven-figure price when sold to Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $1,100,000 (video). The mare was offered as a broodmare prospect by Vinery Sales, agent for Lothenbach Stables Complete Dispersal. Winner of the 2022 Chilukki S. (G3), She Can't Sing hails from the immediate family of multiple Grade 1 winning millionaire Music Note, Group 1 winner Musical Chimes, and Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Mustic Guide. She earned more than $880,000 on the track.

"She's beautiful and obviously a really talented racehorse," said Jes Sikura, speaking on behalf of buyer Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. "We were obviously willing to pay a high price for something so quality… It doesn't get better than this."

"Obviously, it's fantastic to sell Bell's the One and She Can't Sing," added Browning. "It was an unusual set of circumstances with the quality that we had this year with the Lothenbach Dispersal. We were pleased to have (the opportunity) but you hate to lose a staunch supporter of racing like (Robert) Lothenbach."

The sale's top short yearling, a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 494) sold for $650,000 to North Ocean Equine. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned on behalf of Lothenbach Stables Complete Dispersal (video). The colt is out of the winning Distorted Humor mare She Can't Sing, making him a half-brother to She Can't Sing. Their dam sold for $375,000 earlier in the session to Springhouse Farm.

Overall, 372 horses changed hands for $21,687,000. The average was $58,298 and the median was $17,000. The RNA rate was 14%.

Full results are available online.