IEAH made two runs at Rachel Alexandra

[NTamm1215]

Don't know if this has been posted before, but it's from a story in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

"At least twice last year, Morrison was close to selling Rachel Alexandra for more than $1 million, Wiggins said.

But deals with the trendy International Equine Acquisitions Holdings and Overbrook Farm, an iconic Kentucky racing and breeding operation, unexpectedly fell through.

"I weighed it like this," Wiggins said. "I've trained for Mr. Morrison like 30 years and if that was going to make him happy, to sell her for that price, then I'm for it. He's been a very, very good client. I like to see owners rewarded, whether it's winning races or selling horses for good prices."

Wiggins said shortly after Rachel Alexandra ran second in the Grade III Debutante Stakes on June 28 at Churchill Downs, IEAH representatives watched her train two days with the intent on buying her outright for approximately $1.2 million.

IEAH gobbles up proven horses like Stardom Bound, Benny the Bull and Pure Clan, but also targets promising prospects like Big Brown and Rachel Alexandra.

Wiggins said the deal with IEAH was nixed after Rachel Alexandra failed a veterinarian examination because a small bone chip - not uncommon in young horses - was found in her left front ankle.

After the chip was surgically removed, Rachel Alexandra returned to win an entry-level allowance race Oct. 17 at Keeneland.

Wiggins said Morrison subsequently turned down another overture from IEAH - this time to purchase part of Rachel Alexandra - before two more groups emerged as potential buyers after she ran second in the Grade III Pocahontas Stakes on Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs.

One was Overbrook Farm, which raced 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone and stood the prolific stallion Storm Cat until he was pensioned last year.

Wiggins said Rachel Alexandra passed Overbrook's veterinarian examination, but its board decided her bottom-side pedigree wasn't strong enough to warrant paying the roughly $1.5 million being asked.

"Now looking back, we think those were pretty cheap prices," Wiggins said with a laugh.

Morrison eventually sold half-interest in Rachel Alexandra to Mike Lauffer shortly before she won the $150,000 Grade II Golden Rod Stakes on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs.

Lauffer was part of a group interested in buying the filly earlier last fall, Wiggins said."

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/256488/

NT