Lantern Hill sells Grade 1 producer Divine Dixie for $2-million

December 01, 2005

Divine Dixie, dam of 2005 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Bandini, was purchased by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Farm from Lantern Hill Farm’s consignment at Fasig-Tipton’s November Selected Mixed Sale on November 6, 2005, for $2-million.

At the sale, it was quickly apparent that Smitten Farm’s Divine Dixie had it all. Correct, beautifully balanced, a stakes-placed winner in her own right, by leading broodmare sire Dixieland Band, a half-sister to juvenile sire sensation Stormy Atlantic, and pregnant on one cover to Roman Ruler's sire, Fusaichi Pegasus, the mare showed her class by remaining unfazed during three days of intense scrutiny by a host of prospective buyers.

Bandini's 2005 spring campaign established him as one of the nation’s leading Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, culminating with his six-length triumph in the Blue Grass, widely acknowledged as the year's deepest Derby prep race. Bandini is now training for a 2006 debut for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, and we wish the McNairs and all of Bandini’s connections the best of luck in the New Year.