Champion US filly Abel Tasman arrives at Coolmore for Galileo cover

Abel Tasman, the five-year-old daughter of Quality Road who reigned as champion American three-year-old filly of 2017, has arrived in Ireland for a date with Galileo following her purchase by MV Magnier for a record-equalling $5 million at the Keeneland January mixed sale.

Coolmore confirmed the mating on Twitter while posting a photo of Abel Tasman at the stud in Ireland along with the comment that she “has settled in well.”

Trained primarily by Bob Baffert for China Horse Club and her breeder, Clearsky Farms, Abel Tasman triumphed in six Grade 1 races, including the 2017 Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks in succession, while earning a total of $2,793,385.

“She had everything. She’d be anybody’s dream filly to own, wouldn’t she?” declared Coolmore’s Dermot Ryan, who manages Ashford Stud near Lexington, following the acquisition of Abel Tasman. “We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Abel Tasman won Grade 1 races at two, three and four, taking the Starlet Stakes as a juvenile while conditioned by Simon Callaghan.

She won two Grade 1 events in 2018, the Ogden Phipps Stakes and the Personal Ensign Stakes, and was a finalist for honours as champion older filly or mare, a prize that ultimately went to Unique Bella.