Tag: barbara banke

Curlin, from Breeders’ Cup Winner to Breeders’ Cup Sire

Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup with Living Legends

There are great racehorses and there are great sires. One doesn't always equal the other. Sometimes, but not always, a horse is equally adept at both.

“It's rare for world-class racehorse to become a world-class sire. It's two different resumes, two different achievements,” said John Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale.

Rarely, ever so rarely, a top racehorse becomes a sire so good and so prolific in generating top-class horses that his own championship race record becomes almost an afterthought. That happened with Northern Dancer. He was a sire in such uncommon air that his own Hall of Fame achievements and Classic wins have been virtually relegated to a footnote amongst the heights of his accomplishments.

Is the same thing happening to 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Hall of Famer Curlin?

When a horse wins the Breeders' Cup, particularly the Classic, that is generally–and rightfully–considered the pinnacle of his or her career. Many are retired shortly afterward as there's a belief they've achieved all they can on the racetrack. A select few might add a second Breeders' Cup win or other Grade I races, but they are always referred to and remembered as a Breeders' Cup winner. Not so with Curlin. His Classic win was merely the launching pad of his impact on the World Championships.

“He's on the cusp of siring the most Breeders' Cup winners ever in different categories, sexes, distances,” said Sikura, who stands Curlin at Hill 'n' Dale. “The uniqueness of him producing world-class horses will be unparalleled in the breed.

“You'd be greedy if you thought the sire you were standing would accomplish this, but Curlin is a force and is unique.”

Curlin | Sarah Andrew

Indeed, of all the Breeders' Cup winners who have sired Breeders' Cup winners, Curlin ranks only one behind the late Unbridled's Song with five individual winners, making him the leader among living North American sires. A handful of other living sires have matched or exceeded that number–Dubawi (Ire), Into Mischief, and Tapit–but none of them won the Breeders' Cup themselves. Rare air, indeed.

“Any time you've sired more Breeders' Cup champions than any of those horses,” continued Sikura, “it's the highest distinction. What a testament among sires that have sired Breeders' Cup winners. Hopefully we can break the record this year or tie it. He had three winners last year which has never been achieved if you look at all the history of the Breeders' Cup.

“Curlin's accomplishments speak for him. If the ultimate goal with a sire is siring a Breeders' Cup winner and if you've done that more than any other sire, then it doesn't really need a graphic or more explanation. He's the best of the very best, that's what that achievement says.”

When Curlin retired as America's richest racehorse with earnings north of $10 million to stand his initial season in 2009, no one could have logically predicted the dual Horse of the Year's best and biggest contribution to the sport was still ahead.

But one person did. His majority owner, Jess Jackson, told the media in late 2008: “He is one of the best examples of the breed–fast, strong, and durable. I predict he will make a substantial contribution to our sport through his gene pool, and I am looking forward to seeing his foals compete and possibly exceed his unequaled race record.”

Jackson, the late founder with his wife, Barbara Banke, of the then-fledgling Stonestreet Farm, was never shy with bold, sometimes flamboyant statements, but perhaps even he would be floored at the stark truth in his prediction these 15 years later. Curlin, with that gleaming golden coat, has the Midas Touch as a sire. And unlike many stallions, who have their best horses early on with those initial good books of mares, Curlin seems to be getting better and better. In 2022 alone, he became the first sire in the history of the Breeders' Cup to have three winners in one day. More specifically, it was three winners in less than three hours: races 5, 7, and 9.

Curlin's Breeders' Cup Classic win | Sarah Andrew/Equi-Photo

Curlin's own Classic in 2007 was a powerhouse performance in a soggy rendition at Monmouth Park. He'd never faced a sloppy track before, but it proved no obstacle. In a foreshadowing of his future, he manhandled his opponents on the racetrack and drew away with authority, just as he would do so on many indicators of the sire charts.

Curlin was Jackson's first major racehorse; Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) would be his second. Incidentally, and perhaps relevant to today's ongoing debate over synthetic surfaces, Curlin's only career off-the-board finish was a fourth when attempting to defend his Breeders' Cup Classic title at Santa Anita in 2008 over the then-synthetic. Jackson publicly stated at the time his horses would never compete over a synthetic surface again. True to his word, the next year, he did not enter Rachel Alexandra in the Breeders' Cup when it returned to Santa Anita despite her undefeated sophomore season which included wins over the boys in the GI Preakness, GI Haskell, and GI Woodward, as well as a 10 1/4-length GI Kentucky Oaks romp.

Jackson passed away in 2011 when Curlin's first foals were still short yearlings. He had been an incredibly sporting owner in his short time at the top level of the sport, proven by his decision to campaign Curlin at age four. Many would have retired the chestnut after a 3-year-old season that included that included wins in the GI Preakness, GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Classic, plus a head second to Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) in an unforgettable GI Belmont S. battle. Curlin rewarded Jackson with another three U.S. Grade I wins at four, as well as a trip around the world to bring back a G1 Dubai World Cup trophy.

“He was the best horse in the world [at that time],” said Sikura. “I think his body of work as a racehorse was special and unique. He's passing on that quality, that ability, that soundness, that tenaciousness. All those things that made him such a great horse he's passing on to his progeny.”

Curlin initially stood at Lane's End upon retirement, but a change in his ownership brought him to Hill 'n' Dale for the 2016 season, when his first crop had completed their 5-year-old campaigns. Stellar Wind would be named the 2015 champion 3-year-old filly, Keen Ice had won the GI Travers S., Palace Malice had captured the GI Belmont S. and the GI Met Mile, and Curalina had taken the GI Acorn S. and GI CCA Oaks–all career-making accomplishments for the majority of sires. But most sires are not Curlin. He was just getting warmed up.

“There was an opportunity we seized upon when a 20% interest arose,” said Sikura. “It was ahead of his ability, but when it arose we certainly did everything to secure him. Look at all the Breeders' Cup winners along the way [since then]. He's done great things and hopefully will consistently continue to do them.”

Cody's Wish, shown winning the 2023 Met Mile. After his Saturday score in the Vosburgh, Godolphin's Michael Banahan said, “The major goal was trying to win the Met Mile, which we achieved. Everything else was just bonus to top it off.” | Sarah Andrew

Among Curlin's 21 Grade I winners and/or seven champions are Breeders' Cup winners Vino Rosso (2019 Classic) and Good Magic (2017 Juvenile), as well as his trio in 2022: Malathaat (Distaff), Elite Power (Sprint), and Cody's Wish (Dirt Mile). Amazingly, his runners have had another nine placings in Breeders' Cup races.

“If they make the starting gate, they're dangerous,” said Sikura. “He is multidimensional at the highest level; that's what makes him so special.

“He has done everything but be leading sire by progeny earnings. He's been carefully managed with fewer starters and fewer earners, but more importantly, he's siring more Grade I horses than any other horse during the last few seasons. When he breaks the Breeders' Cup record he can singularly be the horse.”

Sikura is right; by Grade I winners, Curlin currently leads North America's 2023 leading sire list and did in 2021 and 2022 as well.

“He's a horse whose achievements will be seen throughout the history of racing,” continued Sikura. “He's a true classic sire. His accomplishments prove that he is that special and unique horse.”

Sikura believes in Curlin's abilities so much that he did a deal for the breeding rights of Good Magic during that colt's 3-year-old year and now stands him as well. Hill 'n' Dale had consigned Good Magic to the 2016 Keeneland September sale as a yearling for his breeder, Stonestreet. Good Magic brought $1 million and broke his maiden in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then went on to have a stellar sophomore season, sandwiching wins in the GII Blue Grass S. and GI Haskell S. around a second in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Good Magic at Hill 'n' Dale | Sarah Andrew

“He's not quite as coarse as Curlin. He's medium-sized and he moves very well. If he's successful, he reminds you of Curlin. If not, he reminds you of the dam,” said Sikura with a laugh. “He's successful, so Curlin gets that attribution. He has a soundness quality and is probably a little earlier than Curlin was. I see, in the performance of his offspring, some similarities to Curlin, but he has his own ability to transmit those qualities.”

Good Magic leads the second-crop sire list by the standard measurement of earnings and got this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, in his first crop. This marks the second consecutive year one of Curlin's sons has sired the Derby winner, as Keen Ice sired Rich Strike last year. Curlin has four sons to date who have sired Grade I winners.

“It's hard for a stallion to be trending any better than Good Magic. The secret is out,” said SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan two weeks ago at the Keeneland September sale after purchasing a $700,000 session topper by the son of Curlin. “At this point, when you have a stallion producing horses at that elite level, the price bracket can get to an elite range as well. At the end of the day, you try to buy them as reasonably as possible, but it's our job to buy them.”

Curlin himself had two of the seven-figure yearlings at that sale and another two at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, including the $4-million topper out of champion Beholder (Henny Hughes). Despite a few more yearling sales remaining on the 2023 calendar, that Curlin yearling is likely to be the highest-priced yearling of the year.

“Everyone has given their best to the horse and he has rewarded that faith and opportunity by giving his best,” said Sikura. “Quid pro quo: we give our best, he gives his best. That's rewarding.”

Sikura pointed to the support of Stonestreet as one of the keys to getting Curlin those opportunities.

“Stonestreet has been great supporters. They were active in supplying those great mares ahead of the marketplace. That's a reward in itself and now other people are emulating that. There's synergy between owner and horse. They have that belief in him.”

Curlin's 12th crop of 2-year-olds is at the races this year. No fewer than 16% of all his foals aged three and up are stakes performers. If one looks only at starters, the number jumps to a provocative 20%. Curlin has 97 black-type winners bred in this hemisphere; 55 of those are graded winners; 21 are Grade I winners; seven are champions. Heady numbers, indeed. And he's showing no sign of slowing down.

Another of Curlin's 2022 Breeders' Cup winners, Elite Power, has come back to be a repeat Grade I winner in 2023. Curlin has five Grade I winners this year, top in the nation. | Sarah Andrew

“He's doing fantastic,” said Sikura. “He's a 19-year-old horse and is very, very fertile. He continues to sire elite-level horses. When the market looks at stallions when they get middle-aged, it is receptive if they are still performing. He is current and popular at the racetrack with representation and performance at the highest levels every year.”

From Breeders' Cup winner to Breeders' Cup sire, Curlin can no longer be considered on the cusp of greatness. He hurdled that superlative long ago. Perhaps an avalanche is a better term to describe his momentum as he sweeps up and overwhelms everything in his path, but he leaves things improved, not bereft as an avalanche does. He may not be Northern Dancer yet, but don't count him out.

“He is a self-made man. He brought just $57,000 as a yearling, but he's overcome every prejudice and at every opportunity he continues to elevate. That proves how great he is. We can just nod our head to that greatness level,” said Sikura.

Northern Dancer himself was famously an unsold yearling before his Hall of Fame racing career and unprecedented success as a sire. Curlin may have sold as a yearling for what now looks to be the bargain of the century, but he, too, was inducted to the Hall of Fame and is certainly proving himself as a sire and a burgeoning sire of sires. It's early days yet for him as a broodmare sire, but there's already 15 black-type winners and seven graded winners out of his first daughters.

Curlin knows he's special.

“He's like a politician. When someone shows up, he has a big smile because he knows he's going to get his picture taken,” said Sikura. “He has that aura about him, that life force. He knows he's the dominant male. He's not a fractious horse, doesn't bounce around, just looks around like 'I own the place.' Well, I own the place, but he paid for it. He's my best banker.”

The post Curlin, from Breeders’ Cup Winner to Breeders’ Cup Sire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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$4-Million Curlin–Beholder Colt Leads ‘Magical Night’ In Saratoga

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale of Selected Yearlings, which looked to have a tough task to live up to its record-smashing 2022 renewal, proved more than equal to that task and, when a fast and frenetic session concluded Tuesday night, the auction had once again set high-water marks for gross and average and tied its record median.

“We have experienced some magical nights in Saratoga in the past and you've heard me talk about the Saratoga magic, but we ain't seen nothing like tonight,” a jubilant Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said Tuesday night. “It was spectacular from the very first horse in the ring–or maybe the very first share in the ring–to the very conclusion of the sale. It just goes to show you what happens when you have the opportunity to sell exceptional physical horses that have outstanding pedigrees to an unbelievable group of buyers that love Saratoga.”

A total of 153 yearlings sold during the two-day auction for a record gross of $74,780,000. The average was $488,758–an increase of the record of $468,217 set last year–and the median was unchanged at $375,000.

With 50 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 24.6%. It was 20.11% last year.

A colt with a sparkling pedigree–a son of champion Curlin out of champion Beholder–had been the most- discussed yearling on the grounds leading up to the sale and, during a dramatic star turn in the ring, the yearling became the highest-priced horse to sell at Saratoga since 2000 when Amr Zedan made his $4-million bid.

The Saratoga record for a yearling is a $4.6-million colt by Northern Dancer sold in 1984, the same year a son of Roberto sold for $4 million. In 2000, a son of Seattle Slew brought a final bid of $4.2 million.

Zedan, who has habitually made the top purchases at the 2-year-olds in training sales in the last three years, returned later in the session to purchase a colt by Into Mischief for $3.2 million.

“Obviously, I hope Mr. Zedan returns to Saratoga,” Browning said. “His first trip to Saratoga had quite an impact on the sale overall, but it wasn't a one-man show.”

In all, 10 yearlings sold for seven figures this year. There were 14 to hit that mark last year. Fifty-two yearlings sold for $500,000 or above this year, compared to 39 a year ago.

“The consistency of bidding throughout the night, particularly on the top-end lots–anything over $300,000–at times the auctioneers and the bid spotters had trouble keeping up with the bidding,” Browning said. “Not because they weren't doing their job, but because there were so many bids coming it was hard to keep up. It was an unbelievable energy, an unbelievable atmosphere and unbelievable results tonight.”

 

Fireworks for Beholder's Colt by Curlin

Amr Zedan, who has made a habit of buying high-priced juveniles at auctions in the last few years, was an ominiously quiet presence around the sales grounds during Monday's first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, but the Saudi businessman made plenty of noise during the auction's second session, going to $4 million to acquire a colt by Curlin out of champion Beholder (hip 165) and following up with a $3.2-million son of Into Mischief (hip 228). Zedan stood alongside trainer Bob Baffert and bloodstock agent Donato Lanni on the balcony overlooking the ring during the bidding on the colt, who was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder, Spendthrift Farm.

“It is very difficult to find these kind of bloodlines,” Zedan said. “It's a rarity to find them at auction. Coming in here and seeing that quality–it took some time to actually take a look at him and really appreciate who he is as an individual. We hope he makes us proud when he becomes a stallion. He could actually be as impactful as his predecssors–as his mother and his father. We are so blessed and privileged to have him and can't thank the boss [Baffert] right here enough.”

Baffert had a front-row seat to Beholder (Henny Hughes)'s historic racing career, which included four Eclipse championships and 11 Grade I victories for Spendthrift Farm and trainer Richard Mandella. When the mare's yearling son began rearing in the ring Tuesday night, Baffert saw some similarities.

“I was stabled next to Richard Mandella and I watched Beholder go by my barn every day and she was a handful,” Baffert said. “He is a handful, too, but with a pedigree like that you have to take a swing at it if you want to play at that top level, which is where Mr. Zedan wants to be. It's a lot of money for a horse who hasn't run, but he looks like an athlete and hopefully everything goes well. He's an outstanding individual. We loved him at the barn and we are excited to get him. He's headed to California.”

Zedan purchased the top two offerings at this year's OBS April sale, going to $2.2 million for a son of Gun Runner and $1.45 million for a colt by Arrogate. He had the top lot at the OBS March sale with Muth, a $2-million son of Good Magic, who became a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut in June.

“Spending that kind of money–it's a lot,” Zedan said of his latest sale-topping bid. “But from an operational standpoint, for the portfolio we've got, it's a well-hedged, well-calculated venture. It's not like we are shooting from the hip.”

On the racetrack, Zedan has been represented by Grade I winners Taiba, Arabian Lion and Princess Noor, as well as graded winner Arabian Knight, all 'TDN Rising Stars'.

“We have been blessed with successes–that's all Mr. Baffert,” Zedan said. “We do the easy part, he does the heavy lifting. We are so glad to have him on board.”

Spendthrift's Ned Toffey admitted the colt's final price tag, was no great surprise.

“We thought he would be in the $3-million to $4-million range,” Toffey said. “When we got to three, I was a little relieved and when we got to four, I was pretty happy. But that's a nice colt and that kind doesn't come along very often. A colt that looks the part with that kind of pedigree, he's a special horse. We are really happy that Amr Zedan got him.”

Toffey watched the yearling's antics in the sales ring from just a few rows back in the pavilion.

“I was very calm and relaxed,” he deadpanned when asked what he was thinking. “You saw the way the threw himself up there–he doesn't do anything casually. I am glad we had a good man on him in the ring. He did a great job handling him and keeping him in one piece. That was a little nerve-wracking, but the guy did a great job with him.”

Just minutes after purchasing the colt, Zedan joined Toffey by his seat in the pavilion. Asked what was discussed, the Spendthrift manager said, “We've done a number of deals with him now. They have been great to deal with. So hopefully it will not be the last.”

Pressed if there was a possible partnership afoot on the colt between Zedan and Spendthrift, Toffey said, “Well, there might be.”

Taylor Made's Duncan Taylor put the colt's yearling price tag in context of his potential value down the road.

“I remember when we sold Mariah's Storm to Mr. Magnier for $2.6 million, I thought, 'Man, I can't believe he paid that much.' And [her son] Giant's Causeway probably produced $200 million worth of stud fees.

“That's the kind of horse this colt was. Taylor Made has never sold a yearling that had so much stallion power. Into Mischief, Beholder's half-brother, has been the leading sire in America four years in a row. So when you have that sire power and the father of the yearling is Curlin, who has had Cody's Wish, Elite Power, Malathaat, Clairiere and Nest all running in the same year and he still can't get ahead of Into Mischief, you know you have one yearling with a lot of stallion potential. If he wins a Grade I, it's a $75-million syndication. So it was a lot of money, but there can be a lot of return.”

Taylor concluded, “Hopefully, he will do great for Bob Baffert and Amr Zedan. And he's another picture up on the Taylor Made wall of another success story.” @JessMartiniTDN

Into Mischief Colt to Eclipse Thoroughbreds

A colt by Into Mischief out of Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini), a 'TDN Rising Star' Grade I-winning daughter of champion Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) (hip 135) brought a final bid of $1.5 million from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman.

“He was an absolute standout all week long,” Wellman said of the colt. “He is by arguably the greatest sire of our generation in Into Mischief, he is out of a Grade I-winning mare, who is by Bernardini, one of the best broodmare sires of our generation. And she is out of Rachel Alexandra, who is arguably one of the best race mares of our generation. As far as his pedigree, it speaks for itself, but he has to match up physically. And he did that every which way.”

The bay colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder, Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.

“He is bred, not just the right way, but by the right people,” Wellman said. “They raise them incredibly well at Stonestreet. Every year they are turning out champions. It's an incredible operation.”

Banke sat a few rows behind Wellman during the bidding and walked up to congratulate him after the purchase.

“I just spoke to Barbara and she was certainly intrigued by the opportunity to stay in,” Wellman said. “We will discuss the details at some point. There are no other partners at this point, but Barbara will definitely stay in. We have partnered previously and there is no one better in the game than her from top to bottom. We are really honored to be associated with Stonestreet.”

The only question for Wellman came as he examined the ticket before signing for the yearling. It came in with the wrong price.

“I was astonished,” he said with a laugh. “It hung up there at $1.5 million for a while, the hammer dropped at $1.5 and she brought the ticket down at $1.6 million. Of course, Fasig-Tipton was very gracious in expeditiously correcting it.”

Eclipse also bought a Denali Stud-consigned colt by Curlin–Mopotism (Uncle Mo) for $825,000 during Monday's round of bidding. Eclipse has campaigned Curlin's Grade I-winning fillies Curalina and champion Nest.

Tapit Colts Head Early Action at Day 2 at Fasig-Tipton

In contrast to Monday's opening session, it didn't take very long for the fireworks to light things up on the second day of Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga sale. A pair of Tapit colts reeled in seven-figure final bids, led by hip 129, who brought a cool $1.2 million. A son Plenty O'Toole (Tiznow), the Feb. 24 foal was purchased by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. A $275,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase by Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's AAA Thoroughbreds, the colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

“I liked everything about him. He has a stallion-making pedigree. This was my pick of the sale,” said Pope.

Dam of MGSW and GISP Mr. Money (Goldencents) and SP Tizplenty (Speightstown), the 13-year-old Plenty O'Toole is from the family of UAE highweight Well Armed (Tiznow), victorious in the G1 Dubai World Cup in addition to the GI Goodwood S. stateside, as well as MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner).

“For what we were looking at, he fit the bill,” added advisor Todd Quast.

Whisper Hill has already tasted success courtesy of Tapit, led by Tapit Trice, winner of this year's GI Toyota Blue Grass S., and Charge It, who won the GII Suburban last month. Both colts are trained by Todd Pletcher.

Pope explained, “We're working on getting colts, and with the success of [Tapit colts] Charge It and Tapit Trice, we are trying to hit on that horse that is going to become the big stallion. That is what seems to make this business work. You have to find one of those and [develop] them. That's what you have to do.”

Only moments before, hip 123, another colt by Tapit, lit up the board to the tune of $1.1 million from the Gainesway draft. Holding the winning bid for the son of GISW Paola Queen (Flatter) was agent Mike Ryan.

“We put a syndicate together to buy him, and we'd like to keep that anonymous for the moment,” said Ryan. “He's a horse that we hope will be showing up on the big days. He has a great demeanor which is wonderful for a Tapit. He is an unbelievable stallion and a sire of sires, but you have to make sure you get the ones with the right character, personality and demeanor. He seemed to have all of that. Time will tell.”

Out of MSW and GSP Kadira (Kafwain), Paola Queen recorded her biggest career win on the track in the GI Test S. at Saratoga.

“He's a beautifully made horse with a great mind,” offered Ryan. “I'm familiar with the family. I bought the second dam, Kadira, for Carl Pollard and he bred Paola Queen. She was very brilliant the day she won the Test here. It was a fantastic performance. She was very, very impressive.”

A $180,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Paola Queen returned to the sales ring to bring $1.7 million from SF Bloodstock at Keeneland November in 2016 before realizing the same price from Don Alberto at that venue the following year.

“He's a beautifully made horse. He'll run at two, but he will get 1 1/8 miles,” Ryan continued. “Who knows if he will get 1 1/4 miles, but he gave us a good feel.”

He continued, “It's going to be a very strong sale, there are a lot of good horses here tonight and we knew we were going to have to stretch on this horse. That's what it takes for horses who have a chance of stallion potential after they run.”

The mare has proven to be nothing but a money-making machine, foaling an Into Mischief colt in 2020 who would go on to bring $2.6 million in Saratoga in 2021 and was duly followed by a filly, also by Spendthrift's premier sire, who brought $1.2 million at this venue last year. The latter, now named Mugen and trained by Steve Asmussen for Japanese owner Koji Maeda, was third to the promising Alys Beach (Omaha Beach) on Saratoga debut July 30 —@CBossTDN

Gainesway Hits With Another Seven-Figure Yearling on Day 2

Gainesway enjoyed a profitable run at Fasig-Tipton this week, headed by hip 77, a Quality Road colt who brought $1.1 million on Day 1 and hit the same mark Tuesday with Hip 123, a colt by Tapit out of Grade I winner Paola Queen.

Opting to bring only their highest-tier stock to Saratoga each summer, the operation's latest million dollar baby represents a family that has already proven profitable in seasons past. Over the past two seasons, Gainesway has consigned both of Paola Queen's seven-figure yearlings that have gone through the ring.

“We were thrilled with [the price],” said Gainesway's Brian Graves of Tuesday's Tapit colt. “[Paola Queen] throws beautiful foals with athleticism. That is the third million-dollar yearling out of that mare. This horse really fits in line as the third foal.”

He continued, “The price wasn't a surprise. The first time we saw him, we thought he could be a very high-profile sale horse. He was leggy, beautiful neck and just a beautiful mover. He was worth every penny. He can be another Constitution or Flightline. He can be anything.”

At the conclusion of the first day of selling, Gainesway sold all five members of its consignment, which also included an $850,000 Gun Runner filly (hip 33) secured by Lauren Carlisle.

On Day 2, Gainesway sold five of seven head offered, including a pair of colts by Not This Time (hip 122) who brought $900,000 and $725,000, respectively. Gross revenue for two days was $4.7 million, with an average of $671,429.

“We've always aim to bring as high caliber as we can here,” explained Graves. “We sift through them three, four or five different times throughout the year to determine what we will sell here. Every time we look, we keep clipping the bottom 20% of the group and we usually end up with a really select group here.”–@CbossTDN

Hartley/De Renzo Busy Buying and Selling

Ocala horsemen Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo stood alongside partner Rich Mendez under the auction stand out back to buy a colt by Not This Time (hip 122) for $900,000 from the Gainesway consignment.

The team came back to the same spot just a few hips later, but this time it was to sell, not buy. Through the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment, they sold a colt by Tapit (hip 129) for $1.2 million to Mandy Pope. The yearling had been purchased for $275,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale.

“He had a lot of bone and he has a hip,” DeRenzo said of the colt's appeal as a weanling. “Tapits are amazing. And when they have a hip, they are extra amazing. And he comes from a great family. It's a young family and it keeps getting better and better. So when we bought him as a weanling, he looked very immature, but we just knew he would develop.”

Hip is 129 is out of Plenty O'Toole (Tiznow) and is a half-brother to multiple graded winner Mr. Money (Goldencents) and to stakes-placed Tizplenty (Speightstown).

A few hips later, Hartley/DeRenzo enjoyed another pinhooking success with a filly by Authentic (hip 139), who was purchased for $260,000 at Keeneland November, and sold Tuesday for $800,000 to BC Stables. As the session drew to a close, the operation was represented by another seven-figure yearling when a filly by Gun Runner (hip 194), originally led out unsold, sold for $1 million to Randy Gullatt, as agent for Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks and Rick Ortyl. The filly had been purchased for $675,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“It's part of our program,” De Renzo said. “We buy weanlings to go to the yearling sales and yearlings to go to the 2-year-old sales. We have several selling here and we have several selling in Kentucky, as well. Hopefully we will keep our pace up.”

As for the operation's lone purchase of the auction, hip 122 is out of Pammy Whammy (War Front). He was consigned by Gainesway and was bred by Rockingham Ranch.

“We know we have to stay in the upper end of the market,” De Renzo said of the colt who is expected to return to the sales next spring. “For us, it's easier because great horses do great things. And so, we will go to a 2-year-old sale and hope to do better.”

Asked if there was potential for profit with a $900,000 purchase, De Renzo said, “We have before. And we've always been known to get the upper-end horses to pinhook to the 2-year-old sales and they always work out well for us. I think I've got this secret ingredient, which is my partner Randy. He trains amazing, he is light on them, and keeps them sound and we get them to the 2-year-old sales without any issues. And our horses run. That's the great part–162 graded stakes winners, 20 Grade I individual winners. We've been blessed, let's put it that way.” @JessMartiniTDN

Sonson Gets in on the Action at Saratoga

Chuck Sonson has enjoyed success in racing partnerships, but decided to up his participation when, standing alongside West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley, he made a pair of purchases at the Saratoga sale Tuesday. He made his first acquisition when going to $1 million for a colt by Twirling Candy (hip 140). Out of Rehearsed (Tapit) and a full-brother to stakes-placed Chasing Fireflies, the yearling was consigned by Lane's End and was bred by W.S. Farish. Sonson signed for the youngster, along with West Point.

“I actually think this horse is going to be big player in this business,” Sonson said, echoing Finley's assessment of the new owner himself. “He's by Twirling Candy and is from the best consignor in Lane's End. We are really, really excited about this.”

Sonson, who divides his time between Aspen, Colorado, and Virginia, returned later to acquire a colt by Authentic (hip 169) for $525,000. Out of multiple graded winner Southern Ring (Speightstown), the yearling was consigned by Scott Mallory on behalf of Determined Stud.

Sonson was part of the West Point partnership which saw Giant Game (Giant's Causeway) go postward in last Saturday's GI Whitney S. just across the street.

“We had some interests in other horses and we kind of got more into it,” Sonson said. “We just had a horse in the Whitney, so we are just continuing on. We hope [hip 140] is going to be a big winner. We have every confidence that he will.”

Sonson indicated Steve Asmussen had been tabbed to train the seven-figure yearling. @JessMartiniTDN

Explosive End to a Robust Day at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga

The crowd in the Humphrey S. Finney pavilion had noticeably thinned out by the time hip 228, a colt by Into Mischief, strode into the ring. Despite the mass exodus, those who remained in play for the final showdown of the evening gave spectators an epic show of determination. With Amr Zedan, flanked by trainer Bob Baffert and Donato Lanni, stationed upstairs outside Fasig-Tipton's VIP suite, a prolonged battled ensued. Directing the bid spotter of his intent, Lanni never wavered, signaling his intention with an unwavering nod. In the end, the team upstairs celebrated after haltering the yearling for $3.2 million.

“If you play the game and want to buy on the top end, you have to stretch. And we stretched,” said Lanni.

“The team wanted the horse. Bob wanted this horse. He was very adamant that we weren't going home without him. The first time he saw him, he was just blown away.”

He continued, “He had that look about him. Let's hope we are all right and we can all talk again a year from now.”

Consigned by Indian Creek and bred by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, the Feb. 12 foal is the first foal out of All American Dream, a daughter of American Pharoah.

“This was a pretty exceptional horse,” affirmed Lanni. “He had the Into Mischief and American Pharoah look. Every time I walked by that barn, he was out for somebody. But he did everything right every time. He just never seemed to have a bad moment. It is really rare to find a horse that is that cool. We couldn't go home without him.”

All American Dream, a half-sister to MSW & MGSP Wind Fire (Distorted Humor), is a granddaughter of GI Test S. winner Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold), herself the dam of GI Hopeful winner Majestic Warrior (A.P. Indy).

Zedan Racing also secured the sale's topper, hip 165, a colt by Curlin out of Beholder for $4 million. That colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales.

“It was a beautiful day and a beautiful night, very electric,” said Lanni. “Fasig-Tipton did a very good job bringing a lot of good horses here. Everybody is here and there are plenty of good horses. It's good to see the market be as strong as it is.

“I think that horse people are probably the most resilient people in the world. After everything we've all been through and for the market to be as strong as it is, it's unbelievable.”–@CbossTDN

Fasig-Tipton Still Jumping Late with $1-Million Into Mischief Colt

Just when it seemed that things might begin to cool down following a rocking first half of Tuesday's session, Hip 208–a colt by Into Mischief–secured a $1-million final bid from WinStar's Elliott Walden. Bidding from the back of the pavilion, Walden signed on behalf a partnership including China Horse Club, Siena Farm and Maverick Racing.

“He was a really nice colt,” said Walden. “We've had a lot of good luck with Into Mischief. So I thought he was one of those we wanted to take a shot on.

Among the top offspring by Into Mischief that have been campaigned by WinStar: GI Florida Derby winner Audible and four-time Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good. Both stallions stand at the Versailles nursery.

“He is a big and strong Into Mischief and he looked like he could go two turns. He is well balanced and looked athletic. We've had really good luck with those kinds. And he being out of a Distorted Humor mare doesn't hurt.”

Consigned by St George Sales, the Feb. 24 foal is the second foal out of GSP Virginia Key (Distorted Humor). Produced by GSW Our Khrysty (Newfoundland), the 8-year-old mare us a half-sister to GI Del Mar Debutante winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Grace Adler (Curlin).

“Any time you sell a million-dollar horse it's special,” said Archie St George. “I am delighted for the breeders. I just played a small part.”

The colt was bred by Bonnie Baskin's Blue Heaven Farm, who offered homebred Virginia Key at Keeneland September in 2016 but found no takers at $90,000. That result proved fortuitous, however. Her first foal, a filly by Medaglia d'Oro named Distorted d'Oro, sold for $235,000 at Keeneland September last season and subsequently sold for $325,000 at OBS April. Virginia Key produced a colt by Curlin this season.

“He is a horse that has improved and showed immaculately up here,” added St. George. “He got better every day. He's just a nice horse and he's by an exceptional stallion, arguably one of the best in the world. Into Mischief just speaks for himself.”

Over the course of two days, St George Sales sold all five yearlings that were offered for an average of $529,000 and $2,645,000 in gross revenue.

“It's been really good for us. We sold every horse through the ring. It's been a really good market. We hope to see him down the road.”–@CbossTDN

Not This Time Share Opens Tuesday Session

Before bidding commenced for the second and final session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, a share in leading Taylor Made stallion Not This Time (Giant's Causeway–Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi) was hammered down for an even $2 million. The share was purchased by D. J. Stable, BlackRidge Stables, Barry Fowler and John Cummins, according to Taylor Made's Mark Taylor. The sale of the share was coordinated by Taylor Made Sales and is subject to a 10-day match from the syndicate. Not This Time stands at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, KY.

It has been another banner season for Not This Time, the sire of five Grade I winners from his first three crops, including this year's Resorts World Casino Manhattan S. hero Up To the Mark. His Grade I winners on the dirt include sales-topping 'TDN Rising Star' Princess Noor, G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Sibelius and GI Madison S. victress Just One Time. The leading fourth-crop sire of 2023, he is also responsible for Cogburn, who won the GIII Troy S. sprinting over the turf at Saratoga Aug. 5.

The share in Not This Time includes all the projected income from the just-concluded breeding season. Shareholders are entitled to one nomination annually plus the proportionate share of the excess book.

“It was a syndicate that we put together,” Taylor said. “Jon Green was the one who did the bidding, but we had three or four others partners that are going in with the Greens. Bill Daugherty and Barry Fowler and a few other people are going in with us.”

Of Not This Time's rise in the stallion ranks, Taylor said, “It's been a real blessing for the Taylor family. When we bought Not This Time, somebody came in with more money right after Mr. Albaugh had agreed to sell to us and he stayed with his. So to see one share bring almost half of what we paid is just fulfilling. All of the credit goes to my brother Ben, who is the syndicate manager. He is not in the public eye like the rest of the brothers, but he's always there working. He does a great job.”

Of the investment in the share, Taylor said, “Not This Time started at stud when he was a 3-year-old and he's an improving stallion when he's nine, so I think the sky is the limit on what he can do. And, knock on wood, he has a good long life and it should be a good investment for everybody.”

Not This Time is governed by a 50-share syndicate. @JessMartiniTDN

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Finley Elected to The Jockey Club Board of Stewards; Highet Reelected

West Point Thoroughbreds President and Chief Executive Terry Finley has been elected to the board of stewards of The Jockey Club, it was announced Monday. He fills the expired position of Vinnie Viola. Ian D. Highet, a steward of The Jockey Club, was reelected to the board.

Finley, who has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2019, at the helm of West Point campaigned either solely or in partnership Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit), GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), and a number of other Grade I winners. Finley also serves as chairman of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, the board of directors for the Thoroughbred Charities of America and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and the board of trustees for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

The other members of the Jockey Club Board of Stewards are Barbara Banke, Dr. Larry Bramlage, Louis A. Cella, William S. Farish Jr., Stuart S. Janney III (chair), William M. Lear Jr., and R. Alex Rankin.

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Be Transformative!

The following is an open letter to the industry by Joanne K. Adams, Executive Director of the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA), a 501 c 3 organization.

Our one-of-a-kind organization is changing lives at the racetrack every day as we continue to expand our programs to better serve our families. This year, BCCA launched BCCA Blooms: Nourishing Mind · Nourishing Body · Nourishing Family to help further our mission. Our goal is to Be Transformative by changing the lives of our families through knowledge and by providing the proper tools for success as we focus on the importance of establishing healthy eating habits, introducing new snack options to our children in an age-appropriate way, and expanding our garden to provide more fresh fruit and vegetables for our families.

BCCA Blooms because the programs we offer at Anna House and Faith's House have become an invaluable resource for the backstretch families and each year we see our children thrive as they continue on their road to success. This year, in its third year of operation, our program at Faith's House is so acclaimed that we are now proud to offer a school-age program during the summer race meet. Thanks to our early childhood education program, Anna House graduates enter the local public school system at the same level as or ahead of their peers. Our program has proven successful as our graduates often earn a spot on the Principal's Honor Roll and are celebrated for showcasing their leadership skills in the classroom. Many of our families speak Spanish as their primary language, so our children are often exposed to English for the first time at Anna House. A recent research study led by an MIT economist established a correlation between preschool-educated children and positive outcomes, which include a boost in high school graduates and college attendance, and a decrease in problematic behavioral issues.

As Anna House celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, BCCA can now follow the long-term effects of providing our students with the foundation for educational success from an early age. One of our earliest graduates, Xochilt, is now preparing to enter college. Xochilt just graduated from high school and plans to attend Northeastern University in the Fall, where she will be pursuing a double major in Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies. Our first Anna House graduate, Jonathan, has thrived in the Thoroughbred racing industry since he graduated from high school. Last year, we were so proud to see him recognized with the Godolphin Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA. Both Xochilt and Jonathan participated in BCCA's early childhood education and school-age programs.

How do contributions make a great impact on our enrichment programs? Outside of academics, BCCA offers an Integrated Arts curriculum in music, art, and dance. Our students are provided with an opportunity to expand their perspectives by working in different disciplines to foster development, social and emotional skills, and increase mindfulness. Lourdes always loved art classes at Anna House and decided at a very young age that she wanted to become an artist. Lourdes, now in sixth grade, recently had her art exhibited at the Long Island Children's Museum. Her piece was influenced by the Aztec culture and she created it using mixed media of copper and metal. Lourdes loves fashion and sketching designs, especially Japanese Lolita dresses. She often uses her free time to sketch and draw and her greatest wish is to become a fashion designer.

BCCA's annual Racing for the Children dinner and auction, BCCA Can Do–“We got the horse right here!” honoring Barbara R Banke will be held August 24th at Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY, two days before the Travers S. BCCA will recognize LSU Stables with a Humanitarian Award and we invite you to join us and Think BIG for BCCA at any level because when we come together, we can make a great impact on the lives of our children and their families. To learn more about our event and our programs, please visit us at www.belmontchildcare.org. 

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