Tag: South Point Sales

Bernardini Filly ‘Pops’ Late at Keeneland November

Pop a Choc, a daughter of the increasingly influential broodmare sire Bernardini, was hammered down for $265,000 as the last few grains of sand were passing through the hourglass during Monday's opening session of Book 4 at the Keeneland November Sale in Lexington.

The 4-year-old filly was consigned to the sale by Meg Levy's Bluewater Sales LLC and topped yet another day of exceptional trade in the Bluegrass. A total of 271 horses sold for $10,507,100 Monday, an increase of 67.4% over last year's COVID-affected sale, while the average of $38,772 represented a gain of 63.4% over 2020. The median price of $26,000 was ahead by 73.3% over last year. Twenty horses realized six-figure sums as opposed to six last November.

Cumulatively, Keeneland reports 1391 horses sold through six sessions for turnover of $176,713,100, an improvement of 30.9% from last November. The average of $127,040 bettered last year's corresponding figure by 17.4%, while the median of $75,000 was up by 36.4%.

Noel Murphy's Castle Park Farm consigned and co-bred Monday's weanling topper, selling a colt by Not This Time to Hunter Valley Farm for $200,000.

The Keeneland November Sale continues through Friday with daily sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

Pop a Choc Sneaks In Under the Wire…

With just six horses left to sell during the Book 4 opener Monday at Keeneland November, Clear Ridge Stables paid a session-topping $265,000 for hip 2242, the Bluewater Sales-consigned Pop a Choc (Bernardini).

A $330,000 purchase by Justin Casse at Keeneland September in 2018, Pop a Choc was trained by the agent's brother Mark for John Oxley and Gary Barber, breaking her maiden at third asking over the Belmont main track in July 2020 before adding a three-length success sprinting over the Woodbine Tapeta July 17. Levy thought that her placement with time ticking away in the session was actually a positive.

“I think quality has been sticking out, in particular, and I think actually being at the end of the day may have helped her,” Bluewater's Meg Levy offered. “Everybody right now seems to be looking for something they can have a little fun with, run with and not risk too much, hopefully buy something with a bit of residual. She was faster looking than a typical Bernardini with a big hip and straight hind leg. It seems like the stars aligned.”

Levy continued: “She was a really well-balanced filly, deep hip, beautiful neck, very correct. She was a very nice mover and out of a Cuvee mare, so she looked more like that side in terms of her physical. She has a good blend of speed and stamina and Bernardini is such a good horse, for a broodmare prospect especially.”

Through six days of trade at the November Sale, Bluewater has sold 31 horses for $5,364,000, topped by the $775,000 Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}), who was bought by Doug Cauthen on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stable.

“It's gone quite well,” Levy said Bluewater's success through six days of trade. “I was saying to people today that I look like a bad appraiser today, but I'll take that any day on the under side. It feels good right now. I don't know what's driving the market right now, in particular for the broodmares, because I do feel like it's slanted towards the broodmares. I feel like I see fewer people bidding on the weanlings than I've seen in the past years. Maybe the tax situation is spurring some of the broodmare buying in terms of the ability to depreciate them immediately.”

Gainesway Farm's Sean Tugel signed the winning ticket on Pop a Choc and said they would consult with partners on a potential mate. Given the commercial nature of her pedigree, Pop a Choc could return to a sales ring in the near future or they could elect to sell from her, he said.

Repartee Does Recio Proud…

The late Mike Recio acquired the newly turned 9-year-old Repartee (Distorted Humor) for $35,000 after she failed to meet her reserve when carrying to Not This Time at the Keeneland January Sale earlier this year. Offered in the first half-hour of trade Monday, Repartee paid tribute to the popular horseman when hammering to Pitlochry Partners for $215,000.

“I'm sure he'd be looking down on us today and smiling,” said consignor Archie St. George after selling the Repartee on behalf of Recio's South Point Sales, who owned the mare in partnership.

Cataloged as hip 1849, Repartee is out of the stakes-winning Dubai Dancer (A.P. Indy), a full-sister to GI Ashland S. winner Little Belle, whose daughter Dickinson (Medaglia d'Oro) was victorious in the GI Jenny Wiley S. The mare's second foal, Munnyfor Ro (Munnings), has made the investment look shrewd. Runner-up for a $35,000 tag over the winter, the chestnut filly broke her maiden in Keeneland maiden special weight company in April and was runner-up in the GIII Selene S. before taking down fellow Ontario-breds in the Woodbine Oaks Aug. 1. Since the catalog, Munnyfor Ro was a close fourth against the boys in the Aug. 22 Queen's Plate, took out the grassy Wonder Where S. Oct. 2 and the Ontario Damsel S. on the synth Oct. 31. To add further luster to the family, Repartee's yearling filly by Unified made $200,000 from Peter Brant's White Birch Farm at Keeneland September two months ago.

“Physically she is a nice, strong mare,” St. George commented “The fact that she's produced a very nice horse that's won over $500,000 obviously helps and the yearling sold very well this year. Unfortunately, she had a bit of bad luck with her produce this year, but on the whole, she produces very nice horse. She'll be a very nice mare for her new owners. It's a nice family and she's a nice, strong mare by a good stallion in Distorted Humor. John Moynihan bought her and apparently she's going to go to Charlatan. I wish them luck and thank them very much.”

St. George reported that the Not This Time foal Repartee was carrying at the time of her purchase suffered a setback and died earlier this year. He added that the mare did not cycle thereafter and was not bred this year.

St. George said he was humbled by the opportunity to consign horses to the November sale on behalf of South Point.

“It's obviously wonderful to sell these horses for the family,” he said. “It's very nice that [Recio's wife] Nancy chose me to represent Mike and his estate and I'm just so happy that the whole thing has gone well. Mike was a good friend and it's very gratifying. The way his horses have been received shows just how well-liked he was in our game. The results show that he bought some really nice horses and it's great to see him reap the rewards.”

Repartee's 6-year-old full-sister Tijuana Dancer (hip 1946) sold later in the session for $140,000 in foal to Vino Rosso.

Castle Park Colt Sells At the Right 'Time'…

It was a case of love at first sight for Castle Park Farm's Noel Murphy and his partner Dermot Joyce when the appropriately named Worth a Chance Mo (Uncle Mo), a daughter of the talented Grade III-winning 2-year-old Just Louise (Five Star Day), went through the ring at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton February Sale. The mare the partners were able to secure for a mere $9,000 some 21 months ago was responsible for the Monday weanling topper at the November Sale when her colt by the in-form Not This Time (hip 1988) fetched $200,000. Hunter Valley Farm was the successful bidder.

“Great result, delighted,” the Irishman enthused. “I knew he was going to sell well, but that was way beyond our expectations. He was a lovely colt, very popular, had lots and lots of vetting.

“The sire is doing very well, he's a very good stallion,” Murphy added. “He's very popular at the moment. He was an exceptional 2-year-old, a beautiful-looking horse and we thought we'd take a chance on him. My partner, Dermot Joyce, was the one to come up with the idea.”

Uncle Mo filly. Solid black-type family. Nine-thousand dollars?

“Dermot pointed her out to me. He manages Springhouse Farm, they bred her,” said Murphy. “He loved the family and he loved all the progeny out of Just Louise, so that's why we did it. She's not the most correct horse in the world, but she is a beautiful-bodied mare, a great-walking mare with a lovely head on her. When Dermot pointed her out, I said, 'we have to buy her, she's a lovely mare.'”

The proverbial cherry on top came less than 24 hours prior to the colt's sale, when Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah), the 2-year-old half-brother to Worth a Chance Mo, completed the exacta behind 'TDN Rising Star' Messier (Empire Maker) in Sunday's GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar. Forbidden Kingdom won his maiden at first asking at the seaside oval Aug. 21 and was third in the grassy Speakeasy S. at Santa Anita Oct. 1 prior to his effort over the weekend.

Worth a Chance Mo was bred to Global Campaign earlier this year, Murphy said.

 

The post Bernardini Filly ‘Pops’ Late at Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Consignor, Bloodstock Agent Mike Recio Dies At Age 46

Bloodstock agent and consignor Mike Recio passed away Thursday, Sept. 16, at the age of 46 after an unexpected illness.

Mike, the son of respected Ocala horseman Bill Recio, had been involved in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry for the majority of his life. After graduating from the University of Louisville Horse Racing Industry Program in 2002, Mike worked in client services for Taylor Made Farm, Adena Springs, Mill Ridge and Hidden Brook, where he cultivated his business acumen and his legendary gift of gab.

In the fall of 2014, Mike launched South Point Sales. South Point became a prominent consignor at the breeding stock and yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga. At the same time, Mike began Rockbridge Bloodstock, a full service bloodstock agency that quickly proved successful with matings, racing and broodmare purchases and stallion placement.

Mike was involved in the private purchase of multiple graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape and had an especially strong record at the 2-year-old sales. Thirteen percent of his juvenile purchases earned black type, including 2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contender The Critical Way.

Mike was also adept at purchasing broodmare prospects. Four of the mares purchased under his Rockbridge Bloodstock banner have produced stakes winners in 2021, and Mike also scooped up sisters to recent stars Swiss Skydiver and Arkansas Derby winner Super Stock.

South Point sold several more good ones, including record-setting Grade 2 winner Stubbins, who was also mated on Mike's advice, graded stakes winner Proud Emma, graded winner and Grade 1-placed Fear the Cowboy, and multiple stakes winner and Sovereign Award finalist She's the Berries.

Although Mike was a tremendous businessman in his own right, he will be remembered for his outgoing personality, the connections he made within the industry, and the people he brought together. Never one to turn down a drink at the Keeneland bar or a dinner at Jeff Ruby's, Mike had an astounding number of friends within the industry. The La Croix-filled South Point water cooler became the best spot on the sales ground for gossip, which Mike was more than happy to supply. He never knew a stranger, and spoke with an ease that truly was a gift.

While Mike loved the horse industry and his work, he took the greatest joy in spending time with his family and friends, whom he loved fiercely. He leaves behind his wife Nancy, his twins Wesley and Addison, whom he adored, his mother Lynn and father Bill, as well as his brother Gene, sister Katie Cauthen, brother-in-law Doug Cauthen, and niece Campbell Cauthen.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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Mike Recio Passes Away at 46

Bloodstock agent and consignor Mike Recio passed away Sept. 16, at the age of 46 after an unexpected illness. The son of respected Ocala horseman Bill Recio, he had been involved in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry for the majority of his life. After graduating from the University of Louisville Horse Racing Industry Program in 2002, Recio worked in client services for Taylor Made Farm, Adena Springs, Mill Ridge and Hidden Brook, where he cultivated his business acumen and his legendary gift of gab.

In the fall of 2014, Recio launched South Point Sales. South Point became a prominent consignor at the breeding stock and yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga. At the same time, he began Rockbridge Bloodstock, a full-service bloodstock agency that quickly proved successful with matings, racing and broodmare purchases and stallion placement.

Recio was involved in the private purchase of multiple graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape and had an especially strong record at the 2-year-old sales–13% of his juvenile purchases earned black-type, including 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contender The Critical Way. Also adept at purchasing broodmare prospects, he secured a quartet of mares under his Rockbridge Bloodstock banner have produced stakes winners in 2021, in addition to securing sisters to recent Grade I winners Swiss Skydiver and Super Stock.

South Point sold several more good ones, including record-setting Grade II winner Stubbins, who was also mated on Recio's advice, graded stakes winner Proud Emma, GSW and GISP Fear the Cowboy and multiple stakes winner and Sovereign Award finalist She's the Berries.

Although Recio was a tremendous businessman in his own right, he will be remembered for his outgoing personality, the connections he made within the industry, and the people he brought together. Never one to turn down a drink at the Keeneland bar or a dinner at Jeff Ruby's, Recio had an astounding number of friends within the industry. The La Croix-filled South Point water cooler became the best spot on the sales ground for gossip, which he was more than happy to supply. He never knew a stranger, and spoke with an ease that truly was a gift.

While Recio loved the horse industry and his work, he took the greatest joy in spending time with his family and friends, whom he loved fiercely. He leaves behind his wife Nancy, his twins Wesley and Addison, whom he adored, his mother Lynn and father Bill, as well as his brother Gene, sister Katie Cauthen, brother-in-law Doug Cauthen, and niece Campbell Cauthen. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

TRIBUTES FROM THE INDUSTRY…
Mike was one of a kind, an irreplaceable fixture in this business and in Lexington. He treated everyone equally from employees to competitors to owners, and you always knew where you stood. This community is full of people from all walks of life that would tell you Mike Recio was their friend. He had a big heart and cared for his loved ones immensely. I can confidently say he lived his 46 years to the fullest. He loved this business, loved everything about trading horses, but the real joys of his life were his twins Wesley and Addison and wife Nancy. The void his loss has created cannot be filled. He will be missed and he is loved.  – John David Christman

Soup was 31-lengths the best storyteller I've ever known. There have been so many tears shed over these last several weeks, but so many of them have come from the laughter of remembering those incredible nights when he'd take over the dinner table with his most legendary tales. His best ones always came at his own expense and often with one of us secretly recording them so we could laugh just as hard about them later. He had the biggest heart of anyone I know, and it was filled to the brim with his love for Nancy and his two children. There's never been a prouder father than Soup, and it's the picture of him beaming with those squinty eyes and impossibly big Soup grin while holding Addison and Wesley that will always be with me. He will be missed every day by those of us who loved him, but I can promise you that his stories will be told wherever horses run and beer is served for as long as any of us are around. We'll try our best to tell them as well as you did, Soupy. – Bret Jones

We are heartbroken
Rest in Peace, Mike – South Point Sales (Twitter)

 

We are saddened by the loss of Mike Recio of SouthPointSales. It was truly an honor to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone in the thoroughbred industry. – The Green Group (Twitter)

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends of Mike Recio. Mike was more than just a client of Fasig-Tipton, he was a great friend to many of us. Nobody enjoyed traveling to our various sales more than Mike, and we will dearly miss him and his infectious smile. – Fasig-Tipton (Twitter)

 

Mike Recio was a great horseman and most importantly, a great friend to so many. We will remember Mike's energy, enthusiasm and love of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Recio family and all of those who were fortunate to call him their friend.” – Keeneland (Twitter)

 

Our industry lost one of its sharpest minds and biggest personalities today, I've lost one of my best friends. First guy I met when I moved to KY 20 years ago, Soup has become family to me as he is to so many of us. Please share your stories and celebrate his life. Love you Mikey – Joe Miller (Twitter)

 

Today has been tremendously hard, seeing so many friends of Mike's and knowing how dearly he was loved by his family and friends. I will treasure every beer I had with him. He was a total legend – Tom Morley (Twitter)

 

Mike could always put a smile on your face. Will miss him dearly, but my heart goes out to his family and young children – Maggie Wolfendale (Twitter)

 

Brother we had so many laughs together, conversations, took many a Horse racing trip, & even sold some horses in between. You & Jake were my first 2 friends in Kentucky, Thank you Mike. My Folded hands to Nancy, Wes, Addi, Bill, Ella, Gene, & Katie. Till we meet again, gone too soon my boy – Ramiro Restrepo (Twitter)

 

Mike Recio, what a legend. Thank you for all you have done, I will miss seeing your smiling face and energy around the sales. Was always a pleasure to see you. We will hold a glass up to you, cheers Clinking beer mugsdear friend. – Atlas Bloodstock (Twitter)

 

The horse business lost a great ambassador today. Mike Recio was a good man: He will forever be remembered as a hardworking, fun loving character who was good for his word. There's not a sales complex in North America that won't miss his endless enthusiasm and welcoming smile. – Tom Ryan (Twitter)

 

Was lucky enough to have worked and learned under Mike for four years when I started out in the industry. Mike was more then a friend to me, he was like a 2nd dad who would tell me what I wanted to hear even if I didn't like it cause he genuinely cared about what was best for me. – Seth Wilkey (Twitter)

 

You are with angels now, please say hi to my grandma Betty…missing your larger than life personality at the sales so much my dear friend. My heart aches along with so many of us. Live Every Day. Going to miss you so so so much. – Carrie Brogden (Twitter)

 

To Share a tribute or story please contact Sue Finley or Gary King.

 

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Taking The Wheel In Saratoga: How Severni, Fahey Navigated The South Point Sales Consignment In Recio’s Absence

The consignor of a Saratoga-caliber yearling could have the horse's entire young life to prepare their talking points for their time in the sale ring. Justina Severni and John Fahey had less than two weeks.

South Point Sales founder Mike Recio's sudden and severe bout with sepsis on July 24, and his continued stay in the intensive care unit as he battles to recover, left the consignment without its captain and mouthpiece heading into one of the most important, high-pressure auctions of the season, the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.

Six days before the start of the Saratoga sale, it was revealed that longtime Recio employees and associates Severni and Fahey would share the duties leading the eight-horse consignment, each taking the wheel at a sale for the first time. They'd also serve as the unofficial public relations wing for Recio's progress while dealing with the dual anxieties of concern over their friend's health and the pressure of following in his shoes.

If there's such a thing as trial by fire in the Thoroughbred consignment profession, this is it.

We checked in with Severni and Fahey daily before and during the Saratoga sale to document an auction held under the most unusual of circumstances.

Saturday, Aug. 7 – Two Days Before The Sale

If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't know anything was different under the South Point shedrow.

On a day when every consignment on the grounds was active as buyers churned through first looks, the South Point consignment was running smoothly in the courtyard between Barns 8 and 9. Fahey took the call cards from shoppers and dealt with vet work requests, as Severni directed equine traffic while guiding a Bolt d'Oro filly through her paces herself.

This may have been their first sales as the head of the consignment, but this was far from the first rodeo for either.

Versailles, Ky.,-based Severni is in her third year as sales coordinator with South Point, and Louisville native Fahey has worn a variety of hats in the training and bloodstock realms since he was able to go to the track on his own.

“Everything's been smooth,” Fahey said Saturday afternoon. “The animals have been smooth, people have been smooth. Shows are going well. We're thinking about Mike and trying to represent him. This is basically the biggest, best Saratoga consignment he's ever had, so there's a lot of responsibility, and we're working toward doing our best for him.”

Recio's not there, and he hasn't been well enough to communicate with the staff, but he's brought up by practically every passer-by, from the million-dollar buyers to the tire-kickers.

“No less than a hundred a day, whether it's a text or somebody coming by or calling,” Fahey said. “It's non-stop.”

“He's stable,” Fahey continued. “Just working on taking baby steps every day. He's come a long way in 10 days. We're just staying positive and patient that every day is a new day.”

Even with things running smoothly, anything done on the back foot is going to be more taxing than usual. Being busy can help keep some of that tension at bay or a while.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly stressed when I realized the entire situation,” Severni said, “but now I think we've so completely thrown ourselves into work and helping Mike and his family the best way we can, that it has kept us focused.”

The buyers at the Saratoga sale are among the most unforgiving in the bloodstock market, and a consignor needs to have every answer to make sure the horse gets sold. Normally, the buck would stop with Recio when it comes to fielding those inquires, but Severni and Fahey were under a tighter crunch to learn their product.

Fortunately, they had a deep well of background knowledge to draw upon by committee. Severni had prepped two of the yearlings herself, two were prepped by Mike Heitzmann of Stonebridge Farm, who came to Saratoga to help with the consignment and two others had siblings go through the consignment in recent years, giving them familiarity with the family. Fahey had also had a hand in shortlisting a few of the horses for purchase as weanlings.

“You think about all the things that can go wrong, and it's wasted energy,” Fahey said. “You just have to take it one day at a time, and one step at a time, and handle whatever happens.

“It's a crazy world we live in. That's why they made beer.”

Sunday, Aug. 8 – One Day Before The Sale

Consignor Carl McEntee of Ballysax Bloodstock stopped by Barn 8 to express his support, and offer help however the South Point team might need it from the neighboring barn.

The Thoroughbred industry has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Recio's recovery and protect the financial security of his family, but most in the business haven't forgotten to support the people standing in for him, as well.

“We get about 10 of those a day,” Fahey said. “I said, 'If I decide to fire somebody, can I have one of your people?' Just keeping it light.”

Leading the consignment might be uncharted territory for Severni and Fahey, but they haven't had to face the challenge alone.

“So many people have reached out, it's been incredible,” Severni said. “Jill Gordon (of Claiborne Farm) was kind enough to come up here to assist us and I cannot possibly thank her enough. Mike Heitzmann from Stonebridge Farm has also been a giant help running cards. Jack Sisterson, who already has done so much by donating a percentage of Lexitonian's Vanderbilt earnings and his halter to the silent auction, bought the crew lunch one day.”

Severni also said Max Hodge, Fasig-Tipton's vice president of client services, had also played a crucial role in helping the consignment along in difficult times, assuring potential buyers that the auction company would work with South Point to ensure they have the best sale possible.

The South Point consignment averaged about 150 shows per horse on Saturday, and they'd see a similar number on Sunday. The first looks turned into second and third looks, then visits from the veterinarians.

The Saratoga sale is the big one when it comes to sales, but there won't be time for Severni and Fahey to rest on their laurels once it's done. In less than a week, a new draft of yearlings will ship in for the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale, where South Point has 11 horses cataloged — 11 new horses to memorize and promote.

The consignment's two captains had been dealing with the paperwork hurdles and vettings for the New York-bred yearlings, but Fahey said his sights were on the horses in front of him for now.

“Just trying to keep the cart behind the horse,” he said. “I'm trying to worry about those first, and then we've got a couple days in between where we can get everything organized. We spoke to the owners, and told them we'd talk to them Wednesday.”

The day ended with another show of support for Recio and the South Point operation.

On the other side of Barn 8, consignor Archie St. George accepted a wager to shave his head if $3,000 could be raised for Recio and his family. Led by a donation from Pat Costello of Paramount Sales, St. George took a seat in the early evening to the chuckles and friendly heckles of onlookers and money-raisers.

When the razor reached the halfway point of its work, Costello jokingly yelled out, “You can change your mind if you want!”

Archie didn't change his mind.

 

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Monday, Aug. 9 – Day One Of The Sale

Dusk was approaching, and Severni was sitting alone at a table under a wooden South Point sign on her phone about an hour before sale time.

The horses had done all they work they needed to do before the buyers decide whether they were successful. Severni, on the other hand, had a fair bit of air-traffic control left to do.

“I'm doing okay,” she said between calls. “I'm just thinking of all the things I might be missing, and last-minute things. Trying to talk to the owners about reserves and get that finalized.”

The night started with Hip 24, a Pennsylvania-bred colt from the first crop of Gun Runner. The horse was shined up to the nines, and so were the people showing him. The team posed for a picture with the colt before he went to the ring, and the bond they'd all shared getting to that point made it a special photograph.

Just minutes later, the picture went from sentimental to historic.

The sold to Lael Stable for $550,000. With their first horse through the ring, Severni and Fahey oversaw the most expensive yearling in the history of the South Point consignment.

For a while, the colt was the most expensive horse of the sale.

A home run horse can quell a lot of pre-sale jitters, and Severni said it made the rest of the night so much easier.

“That was awesome,” she said. “I think it boosted everyone's morale a lot. It showed that we could do a good job up here for our owners, and this is good momentum to take to September, as well.”

Three of the consignment's yearlings went through the ring on Monday. The Gun Runner colt was the only one to change hands at the drop of the hammer, but it didn't take long to find buyers for the two horses that finished under their reserves.

With a big score, and fair trade underneath it, Severni exited the session with a feeling of relief. If she could make it through one day, she could make it through another.

“I think I have a little bit more confidence in knowing I can get some of this done,” she said. “That helps.”

Hip 24 passes through the shadows at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

Tuesday, Aug. 10 – Day Two Of The Sale

The auction's opening session was a crash course, but it was only a preview for a much busier day that followed.

After sending three horses through the ring on Monday, South Point had four on offer Tuesday, following one scratch. The extra workload was one thing, but this group was personal for Severni.

Severni's day job is at Mick Ruis' Wen-Mick Farm in Versailles, Ky., and Ruis is working hard to give his stallion Bolt d'Oro as many advantages as he can in his first crop of yearlings. Ruis had two of his homebreds on offer in Saratoga through the South Point consignment, and Severni had been getting them ready for the sale since she joined the farm's staff in October 2020.

“Hip 186 was a standout,” she said. “Pretty much no problems all the way through, and we always thought she'd be a Saratoga horse. The other one, Hip 144, is a different physical type, but he's a beautiful mover. Both of them have great minds.

“Having them here has been somewhat of a comfort, having horses you've worked with,” Severni continued. “I was joking they were like my emotional support animals, and they kind of have been. A couple times when I was having a rough go of it, I'd just go into the stall, gave them a little pat, and felt better.”

On a night where a Bolt d'Oro half-brother to the great Rachel Alexandra hammered for $1.4 million, South Point's yearlings by the Spendthrift Farm resident held their own. Hip 144 went to David and Holly Wilson for $250,000, and Hip 186 bookended the consignment, going to bloodsock agents Frankie Brothers and Solis/Litt for $500,000.

By the end of the night, the South Point consignment had moved five of the seven horses it put through the ring for revenues of $1,705,000, and the two that didn't sell through the ring had a chance to leave the grounds with a new owner after the hammer.

Two years earlier, South Point had just two horses in the sale, and their combined price couldn't match its most expensive horse of 2021. Fahey said this was the best consignment that South Point Sales had brought to upstate New York, and he was right.

The last one through the ring for the South Point consignment, Hip 186, was especially impactful for Severni – one brought up with her own hands that had helped her through such a fraught time. Brothers was representing Starlight Racing in the transaction, and before the principals came back to the barn to see their new purchase, Severni hopped into the filly's stall to shower her with well-deserved praise.

“That was amazing, I don't know what else to say,” she said. “It was pretty cool. One of the main things is seeing her go to a good place, and she'll get every chance.”

Just like that, it was over – for now. Severni and Fahey did what they set out to do and steered South Point Sales to a successful Saratoga outing. The New York-bred auction was just around the corner, but having their sea legs under them following the hot stove sale they just endured made whatever came next seem doable.

“There's way more pressure than you would think,” Severni said. “Just getting the reserves right and making sure everything's tip-top in shape, especially when you're dealing with these quality of horses, just making them look the best they can, and making sure they show their best. Every single show has to be important.”

Nothing about this sale involved things going to plan. Severni and Fahey wouldn't be in the position they were if that were the case.

In Recio's absence, they carried out the greater plan to outstanding success.

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