The stud career of multiple Grade 1 winner Lord Nelson reaches its next major milepost this week when his first yearlings are offered at a major public auction, starting with the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase on Sept. 9-10.
The 8-year-old son of Pulpit has 17 horses cataloged in the Yearling Showcase, giving the Spendthrift Farm resident the third-most among this year's class of first-crop sires. Many of them are ones we watched grow up last year in previous editions of First Crop Snapshot.
In this edition of First Crop Snapshot, we'll take a look at three of Lord Nelson's youngsters on offer in the Yearling Showcase, and speak to their consignors about how they've developed, what makes them stand out, and what they see in their offerings that comes through from their sire.
Colt out of Love to Score, by Even the Score
Born March 13
Bred in Kentucky by Richard and Connie Snyder
Offered as Hip 220
Consigned by Denali Sud agent
What are your impressions of the colt?
Conrad Bandoroff, Denali Stud: “He's a big, well-balanced, beautiful horse. He's got a lot of bone, a lot of substance and strength to him. He's a colt that's got a really cool kind of attitude and disposition to him. He looks like a horse that's going to take to training, and mentally, he's a horse that loves to work. He's a very nice individual, and he's got a little more size and scope than you would think, being from a brilliant sprinter. He's got the influence of speed from Lord Nelson, but he's got the frame and physique to take that over a route of ground.”
How else has Lord Nelson stamped this one?
Bandoroff: “He's given him that substance from that Pulpit sireline, that strength and substance, and just a lot of athleticism coming through from Lord Nelson himself.”
We checked in on this colt back when he was a weanling. What were some of the discussions like with his breeder, the Snyders, about this colt?
Bandoroff: “Richard's comment to us was this horse loves to train, he loves to work. He relishes it. He's just a horse that when you give him a job, he excels at it and enjoys doing it – just kind of a professional colt that loves to work. That's obviously a great attribute for anyone looking to buy a racehorse.
“The Snyders have some of the best land in Woodford County. That's the same tract of land as WinStar and Buck Pond. Richard raises horses the right way, and he raises horses to become Saturday afternoon horses.”
Colt out of Southern Drifter, by Dixie Union
Born March 21
Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall
Offered as Hip 375
Consigned by Machmer Hall Sales, agent
This is one you've bred yourself. How has he come along?
Carrie Brogden, Machmer Hall: “He's a bigger version of what he was as a foal. He was born a spectacular baby, and he's just kind of gone the same way. He is a beast of a horse.”
What was the thought process behind the mating?
Brogden: “I felt like the mares from the foals we've seen from her female family – even though she's by Dixie Union, I felt like having some speed would be very beneficial for her. Obviously, he was a very, very fast horse. She's a big mare, and he 's a big stallion. I thought he was a really pretty stallion and she's a little bit on the coarse side, but we're very pleased with the mating. He's got bone and he's correct. He's a big, strapping horse.”
What else would be good for potential buyers to know?
Brogden: “He's a good-vetting, uncomplicated, good-eating, good-doing-type horse. The people that have come to our farm for visits have had a lot of good feedback about Lord Nelson, and how they're feeling about him.”
Colt out of Goldrush Girl by Political Force
Born March 21
Bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm
Offered as Hip 624
Consigned by Four Star Sales, agent for Spendthrift Farm
What are your thoughts on the colt?
Tony Lacy, Four Star Sales: “This is an outstanding colt. He's a real specimen. I would say that after seeing quite a few Lord Nelsons over the past few years, I think they'll impress a lot of buyers when they see the yearlings this year. They have really blossomed from weanling to yearling. I'm extremely impressed with his stock, and this colt is very much a showcase individual.
“He's got a very active family underneath. I bought a filly out of (third dam) Chasethewildwind a few years ago for European clients, and it's a family that has mass appeal. It might seem a little unorthodox straight out of the gate, but it actually was very appealing to a European buyer, and if you look at the family, it has a lot of crossover. You have runners in Germany, I know King Charlemagne was an extremely talented racehorse, as was Meshaheer. Down in the deeper ends of the family, it was a very European family that has sort of transformed over here, and has been very effective. Obviously, Daredevil is having his moment in the spotlight right now as a sire.”
How has Lord Nelson left his presence on him physically?
Lacy: “He's an extremely good-looking colt, and a lovely, balanced mover. He's got a great attitude, and when you see him in person, I think he's even more impressive than he is on film. I saw this consistency through the Lord Nelsons: leg, scope, length, balance, class. They exude a lot of the attributes you'd love to see in a nice racing prospect. I think Lord Nelson always exhibited that, and he was a lovely racehorse.”
This is another Lord Nelson foal we caught up with last year. What kind of conversations have you had with the Spendthrift Team about him?
Lacy: “We saw this colt very early on in the year. We went out and saw a number of horses on our routine cycle, and they allotted this horse to us. Obviously, we were extremely happy to get him. This is one of the top horses in their crop, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to represent them.”
The post First Crop Snapshot: Lord Nelson’s Debut Crop At Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
