Brant Goes to $4.1M for Champion Uni at FTKNOV

Champion Uni (GB) (More Than Ready–Unaided, by Dansili {GB}) made another big splash during Fasig-Tipton November’s ‘Night of the Stars’ Sunday when selling for $4.1 million to Peter Brant. The chestnut, a stakes winner in both America and France as a sophomore, scored her first top-level triumph in the 2018 GI Matriarch S. and picked up tallies in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile and GI First Lady S. last season to earn champion turf female honors. She defended her First Lady crown this fall and was fifth while attempting for back-to-back Mile victories Saturday at Keeneland. Selling as hip 228 for consignor ELiTE Sales, Uni banked over $2.6 million while winning 11 of her 22 career outings.

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Star-Studded Line Up at Fasig Sunday

LEXINGTON, KY–Fasig-Tipton’s November Sale, known as the “Night of Stars,” will live up to its billing again when it kicks off Sunday at Newtown Paddocks with a sensational line-up of top race mares, broodmares and weanlings.

“We have a tremendous catalogue this year with fillies and mares coming off the racetrack, a tremendous group of in-foal mares and the best group of weanlings we’ve ever had,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “We are very, very pleased and enthusiastic about the quality of our 2020 catalogue.”

Top Breeders’ Cup contenders like champion and now two-time GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) (Hip 192), Got Stormy (Get Stormy) (Hip 168), narrow GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf runner-up Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) (Hip 205), Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) (Hip 228), Distaff runner-up Valiance (Tapit) (Hip 231) and Point of Honor (Curlin) (Hip 198) will be making the trip up Newtown Pike after their tilts in the World Championships at Keeneland Saturday afternoon. Champion Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) (f2Hip 185), who was forced to miss the Distaff due to an injury, will also go through the ring Sunday.

It was announced late Saturday evening that Flawless (Mr. Greeley), the dam of Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (Into Mischief), has been supplemented. Catalogued as Hip 288, she will be consigned by Bridie Harrison, agent for Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. Flawless is in foal to Into Mischief on a Feb. 18 cover carrying a full sibling to Authentic. Flawless, a TDN Rising Star, hails from a deep female family of top producers, including Holiday Runner, the dam or granddam of Grade I winners Seventh Street, Reynaldothewizard, and American Gal.

“Flawless is an exciting late addition to our November Sale,” Browning said. “Authentic is just the fourth horse ever to win the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year, and she is carrying his full sibling. To be able to add a mare of Flawless’s qualifications to our sale on the eve of the auction is unprecedented and provides buyers one of the more unique buying opportunities in recent memory.”

Some outstanding mares who have already made the transition into motherhood will be on offer at Fasig, such as Flirt (Kitten’s Joy) (Hip 164), the dam of GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf upsetter Fire at Will, who is carrying a foal by Lemon Drop Kid. Other top producers in the catalogue include Breeders’ Cup heroine Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) (Hip 207), who is carrying a full-sibling to 2019 Breeders’ Cup winner Sharing (Speightstown); Melody Lady (Unbridled’s Song) (Hip 183), who produced GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. victor Volatile (Violence); Paris Bikini (Bernardini) (Hip 196), who is responsible for GI CCA Oaks scorer Paris Lights (Curlin); and Cara Marie (Unbridled’s Song) (Hip 254), dam of GIII Pocahontas S. winner Girl Daddy (Uncle Mo).

Two other relatives of 2020 Breeders’ Cup winners are available Sunday in Voting Agreement (More Than Ready) (Hip 280), a half-sister to GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Vequist (Nyquist), who sells as a broodmare prospect; and Indelible (Tiznow) (Hip 269), a half-sister to GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victor Essential Quality (Tapit), who is in foal to Nyquist.

The first 159 hips of the 287-head catalogue are weanlings, including nine from the first crop of undefeated Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy). One of those Justify foals is a half-sister to MGISW sprinter Lord Nelson (Pulpit) (Hip 109). Another weanling likely to prove popular Sunday afternoon is an Into Mischief colt out of MGISP Miss Besilu (Medaglia d’Oro) (Hip 272).

“I think we are going to see quality sells or quality has maintained its market value for the most part at all levels in 2020,” said Browning. “Hopefully every horse we have in the catalogue is quality. We feel very good about the overall prospects coming into the sale, the response pre-sale from buyers, both domestically and internationally, has been very encouraging.”

Last year’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale was topped by 2019 GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize), who summoned $5 million from Larry Best of OXO Equine. The top weanling was a $750,000 filly from the first crop of Horse of the Year Gun Runner. Overall, 128 horses changed hands for a gross of $68,011,000, an average of $531,336 and a median of $300,000.

Japanese and European buyers usually make a strong showing at the November sales. COVID-19 has made travel difficult for international buyers, but thanks to online bidding, virtual inspection videos and travel visas, the international contingent has adapted.

“I think arrangements have been made,” Browning said. “There were already Japanese buyers on the grounds looking at horses and they will participate online. There is traditionally a stronger Japanese participation at the November sales than September because these are the factories they want to buy. There has been a significant number of travel waivers for buyers from Europe.”

Bidding gets underway at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Newtown Paddock

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Breeders’ Cup Buzz Presented By Del Mar Ship & Win: Greatest Closing Kicks?

Some of the most exciting finishes in Breeders' Cup history have come from horses that found the wire with a deep closing trip.

In the Breeders' Cup Buzz, we're asking some notable Thoroughbred industry names about their experiences with the event and a few hypothetical questions tied to the races.

This time around, we poll members of the bloodstock arena about the most amazing closing kicks they've seen in a Breeders' Cup race. Not all of them were successful, but they were all memorable.

Catherine Parke – Valkyre Stud

“I'll never forget Personal Ensign's Breeders' Cup (the 1988 Distaff at Churchill Downs). It was pure heart.”

 

 

 

Tommy Eastham – Legacy Bloodstock

“I'm going to say Mitole (in the Sprint) at last year's Breeders' Cup. Shancelot was rolling, and he got there.”

 

 

 

 

Chad Schumer – Chad Schumer Bloodstock

“Arazi in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1991 at Churchill Downs). He was pretty far behind on the backstretch, and when he made his move…they use this phrase a lot, 'he sprouted wings.' It was like he sprouted wings. I've never seen a horse run past horses as fast as he did. He literally ran past them like they were standing still.”

 

 

Conrad Bandoroff – Denali Stud

“When Animal Kingdom was second to Wise Dan in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He had no room, the hole finally opened up, and if he had two more strides, he was a Breeders' Cup winner. That was an explosive turn of foot.”

 

 

 

Katelyn Jackson – Elite Sales

“Uni in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile. How her and Got Stormy just kicked away from the boys at the top of the lane, went neck and neck, and really dug in was just something really special to watch.”

 

 

 

Jared Burdine – Hill 'n' Dale Farms

“Midnight Lute's Breeders' Cup Sprint (2007 at Monmouth Park). He came from out of the clouds. It was a sloppy track, the horse was on the lead, and when they straightened out, he just turned it on, and he was out in front in the blink of an eye.”

 

 

 

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Strength In Numbers And Quality: Brown Expected To Pre-Enter 13 Horses In Seven Races

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown worked a number of his baker's dozen of Breeders' Cup contenders over the weekend on both dirt and turf at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Brown said he will pre-enter in seven Breeders' Cup events: the Filly & Mare Turf [Sistercharlie, Rushing Fall, My Sister Nat and Nay Lady Nay]; Mile [Raging Bull, Uni, Digital Age]; Distaff [Dunbar Road]; Dirt Mile [Complexity], Juvenile [Reinvestment Risk]; Juvenile Fillies Turf [Editor At Large]; Juvenile Turf [Public Sector]; and Turf Sprint [Front Run the Fed].

“I think our group is representative of the diversity of our team, being able to work with any kind of horse,” said Brown, who has won 15 Breeders' Cup events. “This is the time to showcase not only your horses but your team's ability to get to the championship day for various owners out there to see.”

Klaravich Stables' Complexity, last out winner of the Grade 2 Kelso at Belmont, worked a half-mile solo in 48.81 Sunday on Big Sandy after missing a work last week.

“He worked this morning and worked great,” said Brown of the 2018 Grade 1 Champagne-winner. “He will be pre-entered tomorrow as long as he comes out of it well.”

A number of notables breezed on the Belmont inner turf Sunday led by Rushing Fall and Sistercharlie, who worked five-eighths in 1:01.85.

Rushing Fall, a five-time Grade 1-winner, captured the Grade 1 Diana last out on August 23 at Saratoga. Sistercharlie, a seven-time Grade 1-winner, was fourth last out in the Flower Bowl in just her second start of the season. Both mares will be retired following the Breeders' Cup.

“They're both training great. Rushing Fall has been a model of consistency all year in works and racing,” said Brown. “Sistercharlie got started a little later than we wanted and was clearly a little rusty and out of form in her first start. In her second start, much improved and we decided to skip the Flower Bowl and go fresh.

“So far, that decision, based on her morning works, is clearly the right one,” added Brown regarding Sistercharlie. “Her last two workouts have been her best two workouts of the year, I thought. She continues to train up to the race the right way.”

My Sister Nat and Nay Lady Nay worked in company in 50.66 as they look to step up against their well-regarded stablemates.

Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta and Bethlehem Stables' reigning Champion Turf Female Uni worked five-eighths in company with Domestic Spending in 1:02.58.

“She worked well. I had her in 1:01 and change,” noted Brown, who advised that Domestic Spending is targeting the nine-furlong Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

Digital Age [1:02.02] worked in company with Analyze It [1:02.05] through five panels.

Klaravich Stables' maiden winner Public Sector, second last out in the Grade 2 Pilgrim at Belmont, and Peter Brant's maiden winner Editor At Large, third last out in the Miss Grillo at Belmont, worked in company in 1:02.69.

Brown said Public Sector would benefit from an expected stronger pace in the Juvenile Turf.

“He's an improving horse. His maiden win was super impressive at Saratoga,” said Brown. “In the Pilgrim, he got caught in a pace less race. He was really out of sorts that way. He needs some pace to run at. He would be better in a larger field and I like the cutback for him to a mile on a tighter track with even more going on in front of him.

“I'll pre-enter Editor At Large in the Juvenile Fillies Turf,” added Brown. “She worked exceptional today and I want to try and get her in the race if we can.”

On Saturday, Reinvestment Risk, runner-up to Jackie's Warrior in both the Grade 1 Runhappy Hopeful and Grade 1 Champagne, worked a half-mile in 48.20 inside of maiden Miles D on the Belmont main.

“I wanted to make share he kept his attention to business and it worked out really well,” said Brown regarding the rail-skimming work. “He went with a promising maiden – Miles D – and they went well together. He's doing well and we're going to go on to that race [Juvenile].”

Brown said Reinvestment Risk will appreciate the Keeneland main track after a disappoint effort in the Champagne last out at Belmont when 5 ½-length in arrears to a runaway Jackie's Warrior.

“I just don't think he cared for the track particularly at Belmont that day,” said Brown. “That said, the winner was super impressive and it's hard to imagine anyone beating him even if he loved the track that day.

“He's come back and worked well and I think he'll appreciate a different surface at Keeneland,” added Brown. “I have a feeling that track will play a little more like Saratoga.”

Peter Brant's Grade 1 winner Dunbar Road, third last out in the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont, worked five-eighths Saturday in 1:01.85 on the main track towards her second attempt at the Distaff following a fifth last year.

“Dunbar Road went solo yesterday and she worked well and came out of it well. She's on target for the Distaff,” said Brown.

Klaravich Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Newspaperofrecord worked a half-mile in 48.40 Sunday on the Belmont main in preparation for a start in the Grade 1 Matriarch, a one-mile turf event on November 29 at Del Mar.

“She did a beautiful half mile on the dirt. She looked great,” said Brown.

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