A mare in foal to Tapit proved very popular during day 1 of the Keeneland January sale, with Hunter Valley Farm placing a winning bid of $775,000 for 12-year-old Spice Island. The dark bay or brown mare, hip No. 153, brought the second-highest price of the Jan. 9 opening day session; she consigned by Bluewater Sales LLC.

Spice Island is the dam of Ice Box, winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby and second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Spice Island won the Grade 2 Long Island H. at Aqueduct and won or placed in seven other stakes while earning $487,376. She descends from the same family of 1985 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old colt Spend A Buck.

Tapit's highest-priced broodmare of the sale through two days is Touching Beauty, hip No. 568. The 5-year-old was consigned by Gainesway, Agent and brought a final price of $450,000 from Eaton Sales.

Touching Beauty won the Grade 3 Comely S. and was second in the Grade 2 Matron S. She is a full sister to the filly Noisy Feet, a stakes winner at Monmouth Park.