Commissioner Dan Tops Keeneland April Sale

The 2-year-old Commissioner Dan (Commissioner) (hip 120), who captured his debut Wednesday and was supplemented to the sale on Thursday, topped the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale Sunday in Lexington with a final bid of $500,000 from Pedro Lanz, bidding on behalf of the Saudi Arabia-based KAS Stable.

Keeneland sold 67 horses Sunday for $6,743,000.  The average of $100,642 rose 9.13% over last year's $92,224, while the median jumped 40% from $50,000 to $70,000. In 2022, 58 horses sold for $5,349,000.

“Today was very positive. This is a sale that is perfectly positioned on the calendar, immediately after the end of our Spring Meet and just before the Kentucky Derby,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This sale is really evolving, and there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm surrounding it. Consignors are really happy; a lot of them were here today. We had great participation from established buyers and also new owners, and it was great to see Saudi Arabian participation.”

Commissioner Dan Tops Lanz Buying Spree

Commissioner Dan (Commissioner) was one of three lots purchased by Pedro Lanz on behalf of KAS Stables. The agent also signed for Carmel Road (Quality Road) (hip 12) for $260,000 and Naval Aviator (Tapit) (hip 81) for $170,000.

“We were looking for older horses, and I did not know there were 2-year-olds here,” Lanz said. “It was a last-minute call. When I saw Commissioner Dan and saw his numbers and saw he is by Commissioner [sire of 2023 Saudi Derby winner Commissioner King], I told them [we should bid on him]. We saw him for the first time a few days ago. We looked at his videos. He has a lot of potential.”

Lanz admitted that Carmel Road, who was second to Kentucky Derby contender Practical Move (Practical Joke) in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity, was his primary target at the sale.

“We were looking for a [son of] Quality Road for racing in Saudi Arabia,” Lanz said. “This is a great sale to find a horse with potential. He was second to one of the main contenders in the Kentucky Derby. Nice pedigree, stallion potential. We're very happy.”

Of KAS Stable, Lanz said, “They are trying to get the best horses in North America to compete at the best level. Maybe we'll have a horse for the Saudi Cup next year.”

Commissioner Dan was trained and co-owned by trainer Pavel Matejka, who purchased him on behalf of majority owner Bob Grayson for $40,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He was a really forward horse as a yearling and earlier this year,” said Matejka. “We didn't mind that his pedigree was a little light because he looked like a horse who could train and who could run a little bit. It was lucky for us that he was in Book 6. If he had been in Book 2 or 3, I think he would have been more expensive. We just took a shot and it worked out.”

Commissioner Dan was an 11-1 outsider when he saw off heavily favored Blue Eyed Soul (Ire) (No Nay Never) to win his debut at Keeneland Wednesday (video) by 1 3/4 lengths.

Following that victory, Grayson began fielding calls from buyers interested in the colt, according to Matejka.

“We decided we might as well put him in the sale and see what the market says,” Matejka said. “The final price was one bid over the reserve. We decided that was the price we were willing to let him go at. Otherwise, we would keep him and run him in the Bashford Manor at Churchill. We would have been happy to run him because we don't usually sell horses.”

Matejka admitted the result was bittersweet.

“My assistant and grooms were here and they were all crying,” the trainer said. “They were not happy because he was a very cool horse to be around. But I think he will be successful wherever he goes.”

Also heading to the Middle East after selling at Keeneland Sunday is Talladega (Into Mischief) (hip 76). The 3-year-old, who is coming off an allowance win at Oaklawn Apr. 8, was purchased for $320,000 by Ahmad Alabdullatif.

Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing and Martin Schwartz teamed up to purchase Promise Me a Ride (Mastery) (hip 55) for $400,000, the second highest-price of the sale. The trio were among a large partnership on the 3-year-old, who romped by 4 1/4 lengths in his debut at Fair Grounds Mar. 19 for trainer Brad Cox.

Hibernacle to Join Walsh Barn

The 2-year-old Hibernacle (Hootenanny) (hip 100), who romped by 7 1/2 lengths in her Apr. 12 debut for owner/breeder/trainer Wesley Ward, will be joining the barn of trainer Brendan Walsh after selling for $310,000 to David Lanigan, agent for Heider Family Racing LLC.

Scott Heider admitted the operation doesn't usually purchase 2-year-olds, but he made an exception after seeing this filly's debut at Keeneland two weeks ago.

“I was down at Keeneland to see Flirting Bridge (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who was coming off a layoff, and it just happened her maiden race was that day,” recalled Heider. “As I watched this filly race, she was laying fourth and third and then she made that move and showed a turn of foot which is pretty tough to do going 4 1/2 [furlongs]. When I saw she was a late supplement to the sale, I asked David Lanigan to go look at her.”

The team liked what they saw at the barn.

“Her physical make-up surprised us because she's certainly not built like a typical sprinter,” said Heider. “This filly has way more size and scope. She's longer and has a beautiful way of going, but she's not fully furnished yet. And she has a tremendous mind on her. So we thought if we could secure the filly, and she had shown that early talent and looked like she was physically she was going to mature and get stronger, we thought that she might be an ideal filly to put into the program.”

The filly is entered in Thursday's Kentucky Juvenile S. at Churchill Downs, but Heider said she would not make the line-up for the race.

“She will go to Margaux Farm for 12 to 14 days and we will let her unwind,” Heider said. “Then she will go to Brendan. If all goes well, we will send her to New York to the Astoria, but that's still a ways off.”

Heider continued, “I don't usually participate in this end of the market. Most everything we have goes two turns, but this filly really intrigued us. We think she could have a productive summer and into the fall. When they dropped the hammer on her, I said to Brendan, 'I think we just sent you your first dirt bike.' And he laughed and he said, 'I'm excited to have a dirt bike, actually.' We have been so pleased with Brendan for the last three or four years that we've worked with him. He's been amazing. This is a little bit of a pivot for us for sure, purchasing an early 2-year-old. But I am excited to get her into Brendan's program and to see if we can have some fun with her this summer.”

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Caravaggio’s Agartha Back To Winning Ways In The Fairy Bridge

Bouncing back from a disappointing effort when last in the July 9 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, Scott Heider's G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) was at her dynamic best as she made all under Declan McDonogh to capture Friday's G3 Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary. Dropping back from a mile and a quarter to 7 1/2 furlongs here, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 6-4 favourite had only stablemate Night Of Romance (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to worry about in the straight but stayed on in typically tenacious fashion to score by a length.

“They thought the style of training in America didn't suit her and when she came home Pat McCabe, who rides her out, and I thought she was back working really well and we were proved right,” McDonagh said. “She was lugging out off the fence and was pulling up a bit in the straight, but it is a good confidence-booster. She loves Leopardstown and maybe she'll go to the Matron or something like that now.”

Agartha, who had the misfortune to encounter Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) when second to that star performer in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial Apr. 2 and when fifth behind her in the May 22 Irish 1000 Guineas itself, was also runner-up in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at two. From the O'Briens' Whisperview operation, she is the first foal out of the strong-staying Listed Stanerra S. winner and G3 Irish St Leger Trial third Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) from the Aga Khan family of the G1 Prix Ganay hero Astarabad (Alleged), the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) and the six-times group 1-winning The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Arya Tara's 2-year-old son of Churchill (Ire) named Agathon (Ire) was a €360,000 purchase by Justin Casse at Goffs Orby, while her 2021 and 2022 colts are by Ten Sovereigns (Ire).

Friday, Tipperary, Ireland
COOLMORE STUD NO NAY NEVER FAIRY BRIDGE S.-G3, €55,000, Tipperary, 8-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 7 1/2fT, 1:34.62, gd.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Caravaggio
     1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Scott C Heider; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €33,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 13-3-5-2, $273,516. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Night Of Romance (GB), 133, f, 4, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Shohrah (Ire), by Giant's Causeway.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 50,000gns HRA '21 TATTJU; 30,000gns RNA HRA '21 TATMA). O-E & S Racing; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €11,000.
3–Spring Feeling (Fr), 128, f, 3, Buratino (Ire)–Royal Memory (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Robert Ng (FR); T-Ken Condon. €5,500.
Margins: 1, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.50, 8.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Sh Boom (GB), Galleria Borghese (Ire), Honey Girl (GB), Prettiest, Improvised (Ire), West Coast (Ire), Illuminazione (Ire). Scratched: Statement (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Mating Plans: Heider Family Stables’ Irish-Based Mares

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Breeder Scott Heider of Heider Family Stables shares with us the mating plans for his Irish-based mares at Norelands Stud.

 

PISTA (m, 5, American Pharoah–Mohini {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) to be bred to Dubawi (Ire)
Winner of the 2020 G2 Park Hill S. and second in the G1 Prix de Royallieu, this Joseph O'Brien-trained daughter of American Pharoah is currently in foal to Ballylinch Stud's Lope de Vega (Ire). This mating gives us a desirable 5×5 cross to influential mare Coup de Folie (Halo). Pista's second and third dams, Denebola (Storm Cat) and Coup de Genie (Mr. Prospector), were both champions. Pista is booked this year to Dubawi (Ire). Pista excelled at staying distances, so we like the versatility of both Dubawi and Lope de Vega as we introduce some speed. We are very excited about this talented young mare from a deeply productive Niarchos family.

 

AMSER (GB) (m, 8, Frankel {GB}–Clepsydra {GB}, by Sadler's Wells) to be bred to Siyouni (Fr)
Amser was acquired in 2020 from Juddmonte Farms. This young Frankel mare is a half-sister to Group I winners Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar) and Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the latter the dam of new sire Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Clepsydra's half-sister Double Crossed (GB) (Caerleon) is the dam of champion Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) and her half-sister Sacred Shield (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) is the dam of 2020 GI Matriarch S, winner Viadera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). Amser travels to France this year and will be covered by French champion sire Siyouni (Fr) who is an amazing stallion. Amser is Sadlers Wells 3×2. This mating with Siyouni brings in an additional strain of Northern Dancer through the influential Danehill.

 

A NEW DAWN (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}–Simply A Star {Ire}, by Giant's Causeway) to be bred to Wootton Bassett (GB)
Multiple group placed A New Dawn was trained for us by young Joseph O'Brien. Acquired privately from our friends at Coolmore, we are thankful to have a granddaughter of Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) in our broodmare band. A New Dawn had her first foal in January, a beautiful daughter by Kingman (GB). The Urban Sea line tends to not be overly large in size, so we are thoughtful on proper matings. A New Dawn is booked this season to Wootton Bassett (GB), a stud we believe will be one of the pre-eminent stallions in all of Europe for a long time coming. He reminds us of Into Mischief here in the States.

 

MY GENERATION (f, 4, Speightstown–Louvakhova, by Maria's Mon) to be bred to Wootton Bassett (GB)
An Irish stakes winner last year at age three for Joseph, My Generation is a half-sister to our Group III-winning colt Crossfirehurricane (Kitten's Joy) and a half-sister to the dam of recent New York multiple stakes winner Jack and Noah (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}). A deep European family, Louvakhova is a half-sister to French champion and Breeders' Cup-winning mare Flotilla (Mizzen Mast). My Generation is one of the prettiest and most well-balanced fillies we've bred. She is booked this season to budding superstar Wootton Bassett (GB), giving us Gone West 4×3. It's a terrific physical match, as well.

   Let us know who you're breeding your mares to in 2022, and why. We will print a selection of your responses in TDN over the coming weeks. Please send details to: garyking@thetdn.com.

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Caravaggio’s Agartha Makes All In The Debutante

Acquired by Scott Heider after her success in Leopardstown's G3 Silver Flash S. July 22, Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) led her rivals a merry dance in the next seven-furlong stepping stone for the leading juvenile fillies in Saturday's G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante S. at The Curragh. Sent off the 4-1 co-favourite, the bay who was belatedly breaking her maiden last time was sent straight to the front by Declan McDonogh and never looked like being pegged back en route to a two-length defeat of the outsider Sunset Shiraz (Ire) (Time Test {GB}). One of the other co-favourites Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), the full-sister to Alpha Centauri (Ire), was 2 1/2 lengths behind in third as most of the big names cracked under the pressure. “She's unreal, she's tough and Declan said she seems to go on any ground,” trainer Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said. “Last time out he made plenty of use of her and he's done the same today. You could see them trying to come at her one by one. She seems to stay well, she gallops well and puts her head down. Most of all she's an absolute trier. It's only onwards and upwards with her. She's tough and hardy.”

Agartha, whose maiden defeats over shorter trips came behind the smart types Prettiest (Dubawi {Ire}) and Sacred Bridge (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), was second to TDN Rising Star Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) stepping up to this trip for the first time at Leopardstown July 8 prior to her dynamic Silver Flash display. Bred by the O'Briens, the dam Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) who started at Ballydoyle before joining this stable took the 14-furlong Listed Stanerra S. and was third in the G3 Irish St Leger Trial over that trip. Blended with the speed influence Caravaggio, Agartha is the result of that experiment and a notable first foal to be followed by a yearling son of Churchill (Ire). This is an Aga Khan family featuring the G1 Prix Ganay hero Astarabad (Alleged), the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) and the six-times group 1-winning The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}).

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
ALPHA CENTAURI DEBUTANTE S.-G2, €100,000, Curragh, 8-21, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.49, sf.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Scott C Heider; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-2, $115,832. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sunset Shiraz (Ire), 128, f, 2, Time Test (GB)–Sunny Again (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (£100,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Lindsay Laroche; B-Mount Coote Estates (IRE); T-Gavin Cromwell. €20,000.
3–Discoveries (Ire), 128, f, 2, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy. O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €10,000.
Margins: 2, 2HF, HD. Odds: 4.00, 25.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Seisai (Ire), Mise Le Meas (Ire), Twinkle (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire), Hapipi Go Lucky (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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