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After Being Pulled from Keeneland November Sale, Rich Strike Will Be Pointed to Racing

Owner Rick Dawson has changed his mind a few times regarding the career of his GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice). One day he's coming back to the races, another day he's to be sold as a stallion prospect, the next day it's back to trying to get him back to the races.

It's not that Dawson is indecisive, it's more a matter of him reacting to what is a constantly changing situation.

“A few weeks before the sale we had made plans to ship him to Gulfstream Park to Bill Mott to prepare for racing,” Dawson said. “We decided to have him examined one more time at Rood and Riddle and have an ultrasound to play it safe. The previous ultrasound had been really good so we were confident. This ultrasound showed he had regressed in his healing of the suspensory ligament. We had almost replaced all the scar tissue and it seemed to be repaired. We canceled transportation the next morning to Florida.”

So they entered him in the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale as a stallion prospect. But Dawson was able to read the room. With Rich Strike coming off dismal performances in the GI Clark S. and in the GII Alysheba, his value as a sire prospect had never been lower.

“Throughout the process and up until a couple days before the sale, the gut feeling I had so far as Rich Strike becoming a stallion at this point in his career was that I was not going to get what I was hoping for,” Dawson said.

So it was on to Plan C., try to get him back to the races after all.

Under the advice of Dr. Larry Bramlage, Rich Strike has been, since exiting the sale, undergoing stem cell treatments aimed at healing the problems he's been having all along with the suspensory ligaments in his two front legs.

“After the sale I was thinking 'what am I going to do now?'” Dawson said. “I started checking options. I started further researching other options. We visited with Dr. Bramlage at Rood and Riddle and we talked about stem cell treatment. We were so close to getting him back before. If stem cells could bring anything to the party it could really make a difference. He's not terribly injured. He just has this on-going nagging-type issue and so we thought if we could get him healed he could race again and do so at a high level and win. That would make his stallion value a lot better. It's not a matter of dollars to me. I just want to get him into a situation where he has access to really good mares and therefore get him to a level playing field to produce great offspring. If you're covering mediocre or less-than-mediocre mares your stallion career is going to be pretty short.”

So the hope is that they can get Rich Strike over his problems and then turn him over to one of the best in the business in Bill Mott.

Rich Strike | Coady

“Bill Mott believes that if we can get him back to 100%, he can return to a similar level as his Derby race, his Travers, the Lukas Classic, races where he did really well,” Dawson said. “Bill doesn't think there's anything that can prevent him from doing that and I tend to agree.

“With the stem cell treatments, I talked to one trainer and owner and they'll tell you they had little or no success with stem cell treatments. Then others tell you they had a lot of success. If I can't get him healed and back to a point where he can withstand training and racing and being safe doing so then I will retire him. As long as I feel like we're improving his health, taking our time and giving him every opportunity to heal I'm all in favor for it. We have no time clock.”

Rich Strike remains at Margaux Farm, where all he is doing is walking and is not yet back under tack. Dawson is aiming for him to join Mott in April and begin serious training. Of course, that plan could go up in smoke if the vets don't like what they see from future ultrasounds. Dawson understands this plan is no sure thing, but believes it's the best possible route to take.

“All this means is that we're going to have a year off and haven't gotten beaten up,” the owner said. “In his age group, every time I look I see that someone else has been retired. The older class just gets smaller and smaller. My hope is that when he turns five, he'll be back in great condition and he'll be in great position. He can be older, bigger and better. I feel like if we get him back well and he could win a race or two will that will not only further his resume as a race horse, but it's also going to increase his value as a stallion. The risk is worth taking.”

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Tattersalls February Sale The 2023 Curtain Raiser At Park Paddocks

Barely two months have passed since the Tattersalls December Sale ended the Park Paddocks sale year, and the curtain is already rising on the 2023 sales season, as the two-day February Sale, begins on Thursday.

The catalogue features a diverse group of over 370 fillies and mares in/out-of-training, broodmares, colts and geldings in/out-of-training, yearlings, and 2-year-olds.

One of the highlights of the sale is consigned by Barton Sales on behalf of Lady Ogden, lot 93. A striking bay son of the late Galileo (Ire), the Apr. 26-born juvenile is out of Messias Da Silva (Tale Of The Cat), and thus a half-brother to G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix Rothschild victress Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Bred by the late Sir Robert Ogden, the colt, whose dam was acquired by Ogden for $700,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-year-old sale, is from the same family as GIII Morven S. heroine Clever Power, as well as graded winners Integra, Secret Odds, and successful runners-turned-sires Clever Trick and Alydeed.

Offered by Wood Hall Sales is wildcard Sky Full Of Stars (Ger) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 190D) in foal to three-time Group 1-winning sprinter Advertise (GB). Already the dam of a Kitten's Joy 2-year-old colt and a yearling full-sister to the foal she is carrying, the 9-year-old's brightest day in the sun was when taking the G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis at Baden-Baden. Her dam, the stakes-placed Sworn Mum (Ger) (Samum {Ger}) is a half-sister to G3 Preis der Winterkonigin heroine Sworn Pro (Ger) (Protector {Ger}), as well as the dual stakes winner Sworn Sold (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}).

The catalogue is full of high quality drafts from some of the biggest names in the business, and Godolphin's double-digit consignment includes the unraced Morning Blush (Justify). Set to go through the ring as lot 151, the 3-year-old filly is out of GII Pocahontas S. heroine Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize), who was also runner-up in the GI Alcibiades S., and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

The Castlebridge Consignment has the largest draft of the sale at 68 pre-withdrawals, and lot 90, a yearling by Sottsass (Fr), hails from a smart family tracing to stakes winner Hedgeabout (Riva Ridge), who was placed three times at graded level. A half-sister to three winners, the bay is from the same family as GI Hollywood Turf Cup S. victor Boboman (Kingmambo). Her sire's first foals sold for as much as €180,000 in 2022.

Tweenhills Farm & Stud will offer the Classic-placed Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) (lot 130). Pregnant to G1 2000 Guineas hero Kameko, the 10-year-old won the G2 Rose of Kingston S. in Australia, as well as the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial in her native Ireland. At three, she ran third in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Now Or Never's second dam is the multiple group winner Land Of Dreams (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), herself the dam of quintuple Group 1 scorer turned Group 1 sire Dream Ahead.

Pure Nature (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 190E), in foal to Mehmas (Ire), is part of the Baroda Stud draft. A three-time winner, the 6-year-old is carrying her first foal, and is out of French listed winner Nature Spirits (Fr) (Beat Hollow {GB}) from the family of group winner Curtain Call (Fr) (Sadler's Wells), and Classic winner and sire Hernando (Fr).

In 2022, a then-yearling colt by Night Of Thunder (Ire) and consigned by Shadwell topped the sale at 175,000gns to Ballyhimikin Stud. A total of 328 horses sold (85%) for 5,849,100gns. The average was 17,833 gns and the median was 10,000gns.

Thursday's session begins at 11 a.m., following the TBA Flat Stallion Parade that features Stradivarius (Ire) among others. The sales ring action kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday.

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Flightline to Lane’s End Upon Retirement

Edited Press Release

Flightline (Tapit-Feathered, by Indian Charlie), who is rated among the best racehorses in history after his momentous 19 1/4-length victory in the GI Pacific Classic this month, will enter stud as the property of a syndicate at Lane's End Farm upon the conclusion of his racing career.

From a prolific Phipps family, Flightline was bred by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm and is raced by Summer Wind in partnership with Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. A $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase from the Lane's End consignment, Flightline is trained by John Sadler and has been ridden in all five of his starts by Flavien Prat.

Flightline displayed star power right from the beginning, winning on debut in April of 2021 at Santa Anita Park. His 13 1/4-length victory earned him 'TDN Rising Star' status and a Beyer Speed Figure of 105. He was scintillating in a first-level allowance at Del Mar at second asking, winning by 12 3/4 lengths and earning a 114 Beyer.

Making his stakes debut in the GI Malibu S. in December of 2021, Flightline continued to assert his dominance, winning by 11 1/2 lengths for a 118 Beyer. Next seen in the GI Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park on June 11, Flightline overcame a troubled trip to score by six lengths, earning a 112 Beyer.

The Pacific Classic on Sept. 3 was Flightline's first attempt stretching out to two turns and a mile and a quarter. It proved to be his most dominant performance to date, as he drew off from G1 Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer (Tonalist) and GI Santa Anita H. winner Express Train (Union Rags) to win by 19 1/4 lengths, earning a Beyer of 126–the joint second-highest Beyer since Daily Racing Form began publishing Beyer Speed Figures 30 years ago. Thoro-Graph assigned Flightline a – 8 1/2, the fastest number it has ever given out. Flightline's Pacific Classic performance resonated overseas, too: Timeform assigned him a rating of 143, the highest number ever given to an American-trained horse. Flightline also sits atop Timeform's 2022 global rankings, ahead of Shadwell's unbeaten European superstar Baaeed (See The Stars {Ire}). He has earned nearly $1.4-million, and is being pointed for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

Flightline is out of Jane Lyon's Feathered, a daughter of Indian Charlie who won the GIII Edgewood S. at Churchill Downs and finished second in both the GI American Oaks and GI Starlet S. and third in the GI Frizette S. It is an excellent Phipps family, the third dam being the GI Matron S. and GI Acorn S. winner Finder's Fee (Storm Cat), and the fourth dam GISW Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector).

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Preakness Hero Rombauer Seeks New Kentucky Home

Last year's edition of the GI Preakness S. marked one of the best days of John Fradkin's life when Rombauer (Twirling Candy-Cashmere, by Cowboy Cal), a second-generation homebred for the California native and his wife Diane, took the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Going off as the fifth choice, Rombauer stormed past favorites Medina Spirit (Protonico) and Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) in the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. It was the first Preakness victory for trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Flavien Prat and the first Grade I win for his breeders and owners, the Fradkins.

“It was a glorious day,” John Fradkin said as he reflected on last year's achievement. “At the time I was not expecting to win, but I didn't think it was impossible. I knew the horse was doing really well and I knew he would run the race of his life, but I didn't think he would improve as much as he did.”

Since that unforgettable day, Fradkin has learned just what is meant when it is said that racing is a game of highs and lows. After another big-hearted effort to run third in the GI Belmont S., Rombauer enjoyed a 90-day layoff and returned to the racetrack last fall. He was preparing for bids in the G1 Dubai World Cup and GI Pacific Classic when he took a bad step during training and was officially retired early this year.

While the Fradkins were disappointed in how their stable star's racing career was put to a sudden end, they now have big plans for the Classic winner. This month, they launched a campaign for Rombauer's stud career and are hoping to send him to the big leagues in the Bluegrass.

“We would really like to see him stand in Kentucky,” Fradkin said. “He got hurt at a very inopportune time where it was too late to do anything for this year's breeding season. To give him the best chance, it made sense to do it right and wait until next year. Everyone likes first-crop stallions and I don't think it's impossible for him to get 150 mares in 2023.”

Rombauer won first time out as a juvenile, speeding home in :22.93 going a mile on the turf at Del Mar. Also at two, he ran second in his dirt debut in the GI American Pharoah S. and was fifth in the 2020 GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He was successful on the Tapeta at Golden Gate in his winning sophomore debut in the El Camino Real Derby and was third in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. ahead of his victory at Pimlico, which was the sixth-fastest running of the Preakness at its current distance.

Rombauer bests Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon in the 2021 Preakness S. | EquiSport Photos

“I always had high hopes for him,” Fradkin noted. “He seemed to always have the look of eagles and he was a good mover. He was also really intelligent, even from the times when I played with him in the field. Eddie Woods really liked him so I always had high hopes, but he obviously surpassed all our hopes.”

While Fradkin pointed to Rombauer's versatility and precocity as some of his best credentials as a future stallion, he said the 4-year-old's most attractive quality for breeders will be his pedigree. He explained how Rombauer is bred on a similar cross to hot sire Gun Runner, noting the success Candy Ride (Arg) and his sons have had with Storm Cat-line mares, and he also talked about the quality surrounding Rombauer's female family.

Rombauer's second dam, Ultrafleet (Afleet), was purchased by the Fradkins as a yearling for $10,500 in 1993. She never placed in a race, but went on to become a highly-successful broodmare. She produced five-time graded winner California Flag (Avenue of Flags) and MGSW Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags), the dam of four stakes winners including Grade II winners Moulin de Mougin (Curlin) and Schiaparelli (Ghostzapper). Cambiocorsa's GISP daughter Vionnet (Street Sense) produced European highweight and multiple Group 1 winner Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy).

“Even if I didn't have anything to do with this horse, I would look at that pedigree and think, wow that's an amazing family,” Fradkin said. “It's done a lot of everything. Rombauer is a Classic winner on dirt. Roaring Lion is a Classic winner in Europe going a mile and a half. Then you have California Flag who won a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Basically this family can do it all.”

Fradkin said he believes that Rombauer's dam, Cashmere (Cowboy Cal), has inherited her family's potent genetics. She has produced five winners from five to race. Three of those won as first-time starters. The mare's 3-year-old daughter Republique (Strong Mandate) just won on debut at Gulfstream in April and she also has a promising 2-year-old Cairo Prince colt named Alexander Helios in training with Michael McCarthy.

“There's a lot of precocity there and there's a good chance that Rombauer can pass that on,” Fradkin said. “I think if he gets a shot in Kentucky, he has a good chance to succeed. There's so much in that family that you know is going to come out eventually.”

Rombauer currently resides at WinStar Farm. There has already been interest in the stallion prospect, but Fradkin is biding his time and waiting for the right offer to come in.

“We're looking forward to supporting him and cheering on a whole crop of baby Rombauers in the future,” he said. “It's not all about the money. There is reason to believe that Japanese interests will come to look at him in September, but I would accept a lower offer from Kentucky because it would be more fun for us. If you look at history, almost every male Preakness winner who wasn't a gelding got a chance to stand in Kentucky, so why not Rombauer?”

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