by John P. Sparkman

Jimmy Bell of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley USA struck early on the second day of the OBSC March sale of selected two-year-olds in training on Tuesday, outbidding agent Reynolds Bell for an athletic Trippi filly at $550,000.

Consigned by Bryan and Holly Rice's Woodside Ranch, as agent for New Bridge Bloodstock, the filly, named White Lamb, worked an eighth-of-a-mile in :10 at the first presale breeze show.

Bryan Rice purchased the filly, who is from the family of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, for $60,000 at the 2007 OBSC August yearling sale.

"When John [Ferguson] went through all the horses, there was a colt and a filly he was most excited to talk to Sheikh Mohammed about," said Jimmy Bell, who signed the ticket in the Ferguson’s name.

Ferguson is Sheikh Mohammed's principal buying agent. Bell signed for a colt by Pure Prize at the same price at the first session.

"They are very, very similar types. Very straightforward. Those that perform the way they have, they answer all your questions. We were very fortunate to get both of them."

"It was a little higher than we expected, but what we hoped for," Bryan Rice said. "She impressed people in her breeze and at the barn also. The vet reports were clean and left the door open for people to buy her.

"It's new ground for Holly and I," Rice said of the highest priced horse he has ever sold.

John P. Sparkman is bloodstock editor of Thoroughbred Times