4,460 horses, including 2,260 broodmares, 1,950 weanlings, 244 horses of racing age and six stallion prospects will pass through the Keeneland ring over an 11 day period which commenced Monday (8/11). It seemed appropriate therefore that the quote of the week came from the home of the world's largest (and most famous) auction.

Whilst she wasn't the most expensive horse to be sold this week, Helsinki (by Machiavellian) is a full sister to G1 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (Ire) and dam of G1 Dewhurst S. winner Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway). She certainly got the press' attention with her US$3.9m price tag however. And the quote from John Magnier (speaking on behalf of the winning bidders) was priceless in terms of nonchalant understatement: “I guess she was expensive, wasn’t she?"

It would appear that Giant's Causeway has secured himself a repeat date with a now famous mare for next season.