By Ron Mitchell,
Canadian Oaks winner Roan Inish, an Elusive Quality mare in foal to Arch was purchased by Evelyn Benoit’s Star Guitar Inc. for $500,000 during the second session of Keeneland’s January horses of all ages sale.
The price for the 9-year-old mare consigned by Mill Ridge Sales was the highest of the Jan. 12 session at the time she went through the ring.
A homebred racing for Robert Costigan in Ireland and Canada, Roan Inish won two of eight starts, with four placings, and earnings of $598,619.
Roan Inish was produced from the two-time Canadian grass champion mare Inish Gloria.
Georgia Keogh, the daughter of James B. Keogh, who operates Grovendale, signed the ticket on behalf of Benoit, who raced Star Guitar and plans to breed the mare to that horse who now stands in Louisiana.
“She’s a beautiful mare, she’s in foal to Arch,” James Keogh said. “We just loved the Elusive Quality, loved the racehorse. She belonged to the Costigans, and Evelyn said she just had to have her. She’ll breed her to her stallion in Louisiana.”
Roan Inish will be sent to Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana.
Glenye Cain Oakford contributed to this story
