For the second time in her life Dance Design made over $4 million at public auction when she went through the ring at the Keeneland November Sale on Monday.
British bloodstock agent Hugo Lascelles outlasted John Magnier to have the final bid of $4.7 million for the daughter of Sadler's Wells, who is in foal to 1992 Belmont Stakes winner A P Indy and was consigned by Satish Sanan's Padua stables.
"It was for an English breeder, that's all I can say right now," Lascelles told the Racing Post.
Successful in the 1996 Irish Oaks for Dermot Weld, Dance Design was sold to Padua for a record-equalling 2,500,000 guineas (around $4.4 million) at the following year's Tattersalls December Sales at Newmarket.
"It's very difficult to get that kind of money for a mare twice," commented Bruce King, general manager of Padua.
High-class chaser Escartefigue will make his first appearance for new trainer Paul Nicholls in the Bet Direct Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Formerly in the care of David Nicholson, the seven-year-old failed to score last term but contested a number of top chases and joined Nicholls in the late summer.
"He runs at Haydock on Saturday as long as the ground stays genuinely good," Nicholls said yesterday.
