Tag: White Hot

Diverse Buying Bench Powers Electric Keeneland November Opener

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale gained momentum throughout its opening session and concluded a day of competitive bidding Wednesday evening with 11 seven-figure mares and a median up 30% from its 2022 counterpart.

“It was a good day. It was a really good day,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “We were really pleased with the session overall. The theme of the century seems to be that the quality sells and there was really high demand for the quality. There was great international participation, but plenty of domestic participation as well. There was a real diversity among the buyers. It was a very, very strong market.”

During Wednesday's session, 120 horses grossed $54,340,000. The average of $452,833 was down 8% from the corresponding 2022 session, which included a $4.6-million fractional interest in champion Flightline. The median of $375,000 was up 29.31% from a year ago.

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the day's top seller in the ring, when BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe bid $2.1 million for the dam of Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), but the session had a post-sale topper when Puca (Big Brown), carrying a full-sibling to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), was purchased by John Stewart for $2.9 million after initially being led out of the ring unsold. The mare capped a busy couple of days for Stewart, who also purchased a colt by Curlin for $600,000 Wednesday, as well as seven horses Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton for $13,350,000.

“There is a lot of confidence in the breeding industry right now,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “I think the median jumping just over 30% when you include Puca, is a significant increase.”

Shadwell Racing, which purchased the co-topping weanling at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, purchased Wednesday's highest-priced foal when going to $750,000 for a colt by Gun Runner (hip 154) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The colt was the top of a particularly vibrant weanling market Wednesday.

Last year's November Book 1 section had six weanlings sell for $400,000 or more. Twelve hit that mark Wednesday.

“The foal market was especially strong, we thought today,” said Arvin. “We had double the number of foals this year sell for $400,000 or more than last.”

With 65 horses reported not sold, Wednesday's buy-back rate was 35.14%. It was 26.49% a year ago.

“There was some protectionism in the market,” said Lacy. “A lot of people were setting reserves that were not letting horses go. They were not going to sell them short. There were quality mares not being sold off cheap which I think is great for the industry. When you speak to the sellers, they were comfortable that they were not going to sell this one below a certain value. And that's ok.”

The Keeneland November sale continues through Nov. 16 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.

Mage's Dam Puca Brings $2.9M

Plenty of the pre-sale hype revolved around Case Clay Thoroughbred Management's initial sales offering, including the big mare–Puca (Big Brown) (Hip 191)–dam of this season's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). Initially led out of the ring unsold at $2.8 million, the 11-year-old mare later found a home with Lexington financier John Stewart, who snapped the mare up for $2.9 million.

Clay sold the mare on behalf of Robert Clay's Grandview Equine, who purchased her in foal to Gun Runner for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2018.

Puca | Keeneland

“What we were fine with, RNAing her, was that Good Magic Baby in her belly,” Clay explained. “We were confident in her value, and fortunately, John Stewart recognized that.”

Puca, a half-sister to Grade I winner and $1.5-million earner Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}), is also responsible for multiple stakes placed Gunning (Gun Runner) and Dornoch, a full-brother to Mage. Runner up in the Sapling S. at Monmouth this past summer, he came back to graduate impressively going a mile and a sixteenth at Keeneland Oct. 14. To further bolster her resume, Puca's yearling colt by McKinzie also realized $1.2 million at the Keeneland September Sale.

“He's buying a queen,” Clay said of Puca. “She is the dam of Derby winner and black-type for the first three foals. If Dornoch wins the [Dec. 2] GII Remsen S. [at Aqueduct], she's 'Broodmare of the Year'.”

The daughter of SP Boat's Ghost (Silver Ghost) sold carrying a full-sibling to the Derby hero.

Clay underscored, “I really think that's her fair market value. Dams of Kentucky Derby winners don't come along in the same year. It's been a long time since that has happened.”

Later in the sale, Clay also sold the second half of his maiden consignment–Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger})–to Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success for $1.65 million.

“I am really grateful to both Paul Varga [owner of Dalika] and Grandview for giving me the opportunity to sell them. And for Bryant Prentice who purchased Dalika and John Stewart for buying Puca. I am excited for them too. I think they bought beautiful mares.”–@CbossTDN

White Hot in Demand at Keeneland

After bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, got outbid on GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday night, he went to $2.1 million to acquire that filly's dam, White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 170) Wednesday at Keeneland.

“She is a Galileo mare and she's the dam of a Group 1-winning juvenile,” Donohoe said of the 10-year-old mare who sold in foal to Into Mischief. “She is in foal to a champion stallion. So she made a lot of sense. It's a great family and those Galileo mares, you can see what they can do around the world as broodmare sires. We are happy to get her.”

 

White Hot was consigned by Stone Farm on behalf of Bobby Flay, who purchased the mare as a yearling for 1,250,000gns at the 2014 Tattersalls October sale. While the bay never made it to the races, her first foal was Pizza Bianca, who sold for $3 million Tuesday night.

“Pizza Bianca made all of that money last night at Fasig-Tipton,” Donohoe said. “We had a good go at her last night.”

Out of Gwynn (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), White Hot is a half-sister to G1 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi (Montjeu {Ire}).

“I bought her for an existing client and she will probably stay in the States and foal here,” Donohoe said.

Of a potential mating in 2024, Donohoe said, “We will see what kind of baby comes out of her. But those Galileo mares, you can cover them to most of the stallions based here in the States.”

While Donohoe declined to name his client, the Irishman has previously bought several high-profile fillies and mares for Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong.

Lynn Hancock of Stone Farm said it was a good result from both sides of the transaction.

“Obviously, great sale, but she's a lovely mare,” Hancock said. “She's beautiful, looks the part. Her first foal is a Breeders' Cup champion. So, you can't ask any more of a mare than that. We're happy with that.”

Of the price, Hancock added, “I think she's worth every penny of it. She's a lovely mare, she's beautiful. She acted like a queen in the back ring and she is in foal to a hot sire.” @JessMartiniTDN

Juddmonte Strikes Late for Ack Naughty

After getting shut out on a number of high-profile mares at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday and earlier in the first session of the Keeneland November session, Juddmonte Farm's Garrett O'Rourke finally got his mare when acquiring Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (hip 246) for $1.8 million. The 11-year-old mare, who sold in foal to Into Mischief, was consigned by Sequel New York as agent for Chester and Mary Broman. She is the dam of ill-fated Grade I winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).

 

“We were at the sales yesterday and we were here again today for Puca,” said O'Rourke. “This felt like the last legitimate big, good-looking mare. Obviously, she is the dam of a Grade I winner and she's in foal to Into Mischief, who is a stallion we have had a lot of success with and we breed to every year. There is the opportunity to keep on doing the same mating if the family would want to do that. We are happy with her. She's my type of mare–a nice, big, strong mare with great bone, a good race mare and a good producer already. So I'm glad we got something.”

O'Rourke admitted it's been tough bidding, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and Wednesday at Keeneland.

“It's been hard in there,” he said. “The top end, as everyone says, is just killer strong. It's just like people are buying art in a hot market. It's hard to put a value on them at this level. If you want them, you've got to pay for them. And we weren't able to get there earlier today. This was our last chance and I'm delighted to have something to bring home to add to the Juddmonte broodmare band.”

The Bromans purchased Ack Naughty, in foal to Upstart, for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale. That was just a month after her first foal to race, Practical Move, won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. The colt added wins in the GII San Felipe S. and GI Santa Anita Derby this past spring.

“We just bought this mare in January,” said Sequel's Becky Thomas. “But it was before Practical Move really became Practical Move. So he won a Grade II and then a Grade I after we bought her. Mr. Broman still races quite a bit, but he is breeding to sell in a commercial market. This will be a chance to put cash back into the program and that's what we did.”

Of the mare's price tag Wednesday, Thomas added, “Way above the reserve, but she's a beautiful mare and she had Practical Move. We are just really happy that we were able to do it and happy that Mr. Broman gives us the ability to play at a high level.”

Frankel Filly for Lyon

Graded stakes winner Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (hip 125) became the first seven-figure mare of the Keeneland November sale when selling for $1.8 million to Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm.

“I am very excited about getting this mare,” Lyon said. “I am a Frankel lover. I had one filly [by him] that unfortunately isn't going to be a race filly that I bred. But when I saw this filly, with her race record, I was so excited to have her in my broodmare band.”

 

Bred and raced by Andrew Rosen and trained by Shug McGaughey, Skims won last year's GII Sands Point S. and was second in this year's GII Canadian S. On the board in eight of 14 starts, she won four times and earned $426,685.

The 4-year-old racing or broodmare prospect, who was consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, is out of Royal Decree (Street Cry {Ire}) and is a half-sister to group winner War Decree (War Front). Her second dam is multiple Grade I winner Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).

“That was right in line with what we thought she would bring,” said Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services' John Stuart. “She is by Frankel and from a nice family. I am really happy that she is staying right here in the Bluegrass.”

'Pursuit' Lands Dalika for $1.65M

Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success may not have made the leader board with raw numbers, but it certainly did when it came to quality. With Archie St. George handling the bidding duties, Prentice extended to $1.65 million for Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) (Hip 223) during Keeneland's Book 1 session.

“I was thinking she might not bring that much, but the market is strong and she is a Grade I winner,” said St. George. “It was definitely more than we were hoping to have to give.”

 

Consigned by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management, the gray mare sold in foal to Flightline.

Clay said, “I thought it was great and was well sold and well bought. She's sound, a Grade I winner and in foal to Flightline, so I think it's a fair value for her.”

The mare is a member of the first group of mares to be bred to the 2022 Horse of the Year.

“She is a beautiful mare. We were keen to get her,” said St. George. “Obviously, in foal to a beautiful stallion. She was just a top-quality mare.”

Clay added, “[She was] the whole package. She won in 5 1/2 furlongs up to 11 furlongs–very versatile and carried her speed. It was every little thing and then when she arrived here she showed well the whole time. People really liked her, so there was a lot of attention.”

Out of the Hurricane Run (Ire) mare Drawn To Run, the 7-year-old is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Drawn To Dream (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}). Her extended family includes Group 1 winners Corre Caminos and Recital.

“She is a top race filly,” said St. George. “She has the quality and looks and, hopefully, she can throw something that looks like her. The sky is the limit.”

While at the forefront of Wednesday's purchase for Prentice, St. George was quick to credit the late bloodstock James Delahooke for much of the team's success.

“Mr. James Delahooke used to do a lot of work for [the Prentices] and I am carrying on his legacy,” he said. “It's really a team effort. The mare is on the farm.”

“Taking on James's legacy, it takes an army to do it. God rest his soul.” —@CbossTDN

Dalika Departure Bittersweet for Varga

Paul Varga of Bal Mar Equine found himself in the unprecedented position of experiencing the joy of reeling in seven figures for his prized mare Dalika, but also facing the sad reality of her departure.

“She definitely gave us a great day,” he said. “But it really is hard obviously to let go of a mare like that.”

 

Bred by Gestut Ammerland, Dalika made three starts in Europe, including a win at Dresden in 2018, before selling privately to Varga late in her 2-year-old season.

For Varga and trainer Al Stall, the German bred annexed four wins at the graded level in the U.S., headed by a score in the 2022 GI Beverly D. S. before retiring with earnings in excess of $1.4 million

In regard to the final price, he added, “Given the results of her accomplishments, that's sort of where we thought she might be.”

While bittersweet, Varga explained the bright side was that he retains Drawn to Race (Ger), a full-sister to the Grade I winner.

“One great thing is I have her full-sister. She's in foal, so I can still keep the family. A huge amount of congratulations to not only Case [Clay] for selling her, but also to Albert Stall, who trained her all along. She required a ton of patience to run that much over that long a time. And he and his group did a super job. Honestly, this was great, but it's so much more fun to watch them win on the racetrack.” —@CbossTDN

Repole Back in Action at Keeneland

Mike Repole, who spent $6 million to buy out his partners on champion Nest (Curlin) at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Tuesday, was back in action at Keeneland Wednesday, purchasing five mares for $4.4 million. Leading the way was the racing/broodmare prospect Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) (hip 201), who sold for $1.4 million.

“Nice, nice, nice horse,” Repole said of the 4-year-old Ontario-bred who was consigned by Four Star Sales. “I thought she was worth that as a broodmare. We are going to race her next year. I am trying to save racing one horse at a time. Thought about keeping her with Brad Cox.”

 

Interstatedaydream, who was purchased by Staton Flurry's Flurry Racing Stable for $175,000 at the 2021 OBS April sale, won last year's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and GIII Indiana Oaks and was third in the GI Ashland S. She came into the Keeneland sale off wins in the Sept. 30 Twixt S. and Nov. 3 Turnback the Alarm S.

The bay filly is out of Babcock (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to Canadian champion Uncaptured (Lion Heart).

Repole, who said Tuesday he expects to return Nest to the races in 2024, also plans to send Surprisingly (Mastery) (hip 140)  back to the track after purchasing the 4-year-old filly for an even $1 million Wednesday from the Claiborne Farm consignment. Bred and campaigned by the Phipps family, the filly won the GIII Endeavor S. in February for trainer Shug McGaughey before hitting the board in four straight graded events through the summer. She was most recently seventh in the GII Ballston Spa S. in August at Saratoga.

“I have a lot of respect for the Phippses,” Repole said. “I have been partners with them on other horses. Plus, I like that she can race. We will keep her here for about 30 days and then ship out to Palm Beach to Todd [Pletcher] and have some fun with her last year. And then put her in our broodmare band.”

Surprisingly is out of Vagabond (Arch), a half-sister to graded winner Great Island (Scat Daddy). Her third dam is Matlacha Pass (Seeking the Gold), who produced MGISWs Point of Entry and Pine Island.

“I get excited about the mares we are buying to race,” Repole said. “[My associates] are getting excited about the mares we are buying in foal. But I like running and I enjoy the races. If we can keep horses around at ages four and five, they can become stars and be more durable.”

Champagne Lady to Barronstown Stud

Stakes-placed Champagne Lady (Uncle Mo) (hip 214) has a pending date with Triple Crown winner Justify after selling for $1.45 million to the bid of the David and Diane Nagle's Barronstown Stud. The 6-year-old mare, who sold in foal to champion Flightline, was consigned by Lane's End. She is out of Grazie Mille (Bernardini) and is a full-sister to Grade I winner Mo Town and a half-sister to stakes-winning and multiple graded placed 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify).

“We loved Champagne Lady's pedigree and we bought her to go to Justify,” said Diane Nagle. “She's a gorgeous mare. Fingers crossed.”

Don Adam's Courtlandt Farms purchased Champagne Lady for $875,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. She was third in the 2022 My Charmer S.

Spendthrift Back in Action at Keeneland

On the heels of an active day of buying the preceding day, Spendthrift Farm was back at it during Keeneland's Book 1 session. The operation's purchases were led by the $1.05-million buy Tarabi (First Samurai) (Hip 142), offered by Lane's End Farm.

“She is a really impressive physical and a well-bred filly, so we are really excited to have her,” said Spendthrift's Ned Toffey. “It was about what we thought we would have to pay. It was a fair price for her. She would be a nice addition to the broodmare band.”

 

A stakes winner and twice Grade I placed on the track, the chestnut is out of Indian Bay (Indian Charlie), also responsible for full-sibling Shivaji, a group stakes winner and Group 1 placed in Japan.

Asked about who might be first up as a possible mate for the 4-year-old mare, Toffey said, “We have a couple of options there. Maybe something on the farm, or maybe we'll take her off the farm. We'll figure it out.”

At Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, Spendthrift secured five mares for $7.7 million, headed by the $3-million purchase of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate).

“A couple of years ago we bought a number of really strong mares,” said Toffey, explaining the nursery's spending over the two days. “We always continue to try to upgrade the broodmare band. The old adage: pad at the top, and carve from the bottom. That's us just trying to do that. This is part of our process.” —@CbossTDN

Technical Analysis to Japan

Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) (hip 145), consigned by Elite, will eventually be heading to the Far East after selling for $1 million Wednesday at Keeneland. Bloodstock agent Keisuke Onishi of J S Company made the winning bid on behalf of an undisclosed Japanese client.

“She was a very good race horse and was quite a good mover,” said Onishi. “The owner may keep her here to breed her in the U.S. or he may send her straight to Japan.”

Technical Analysis, purchased for 200,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October sale, was a four-time graded stakes winner for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown, with victories in the 2022 GII Ballston Spa S. and 2021 GII Lake Placid S. The 5-year-old mare capped her racing career with a win in the Oct. 27 Athenia S.

The mare's trip through the sales ring Wednesday added to an impressive roster of sales for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, which also sold Grade I winner Search Results (Flatter) to Katsumi Yoshida for $3.6 million and stakes winner Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) for $2,150,000 to Alpha Delta Stables at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday.

The Japanese buyers, who were such a strong presence at Fasig-Tipton, continued to be active across town Wednesday despite the weakness of the yen to the dollar.

“The currency situation is not that good for us, but I think the Japanese buyers still have to be active and try to find good pedigrees and horses to import to Japan,” said Onishi.

AAA Active from Fasig to Keeneland

Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's weanling-to-yearling pinhooking partnership AAA Thoroughbreds, which enjoyed seven-figure success at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, has been busy buying foals, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and at Keeneland Wednesday. The group purchased a colt by Gun Runner (hip 51) for $470,000 and a colt by Justify (hip 67) for $450,000 Tuesday.

At Keeneland Wednesday, AAA Thoroughbreds purchased four weanlings, led by a daughter of Curlin (hip 151) consigned by Denali Stud for $550,000. The foal is out of multiple graded winner Tin Type Gal (Tapit), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Miss Shop (Deputy Minister).

“She's a Curlin filly with a big pedigree,” Hartley said of the chestnut's appeal. “It's so hard to buy Curlins, so we felt like any one that we can get our hands on, we are going to try to buy. I felt like this filly, with the pedigree, she had the whole package. It's a lot of money, but to get a Curlin, if you like them, you're going to have to pay for them.”

Keeneland November Sale | Keeneland

The AAA Thoroughbreds partnership also acquired a colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Yaupon (Uncle Mo) (hip 37) for $400,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The weanling is out of graded winner Lady Sabelia (Majestic Warrior).

“I thought he was the best Yaupon on the ground,” Hartley said. “My goal was to come here and try to buy the best one.”

Hartley said he had plenty of faith in the young stallion, who stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm.

“And my friend Hoby Kight bought [Yaupon] as a yearling, so I was around him when he worked :20 and change at Gulfstream,” Hartley said. “He was such a beautiful horse. And then he went off and won those graded races. We just felt like he could be a big up-and-coming stallion for us. We searched over there [at Fasig] and over here and he was the best one we saw.”

Yaupon worked a quarter in :20 3/5 before RNA'ing for $485,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. He returned to sell for $255,000 to Corinne and Bill Heiligbrodt at the OBS June sale and went on to win the 2021 GI Forego S.

Yaupon was also represented in the Keeneland sales ring Wednesday by a filly (hip 5) who sold for $400,000 to Haruya Yoshida.

Asked about paying $400,000 for a pinhooking prospect by a first-crop sire, Hartley said, “$400,000 is the new number if you like a baby now. You used to be able to come here and buy these for $200,000 or $250,000, but those $200,000 babies are $400,000 now. If you want them, you've just got to buy them.” @JessMartiniTDN

Justify Colt Brings $525K On Day 1

Midway through Wednesday's Book 1 session, a weanling colt by Justify, Hip 150, realized $525,000 from Michelle St. George, signing as Teddy Town Thoroughbreds from the back of the sales pavilion. Consigned by Vinery Sales, the Feb. 27 foal is out of Peruvian Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Thundering Emilia (Thunder Gulch).

“Everything about him was desirable,” said St. George. “He was a beautiful horse. The stallion is also on top of the world right now. We are very happy to have him.”

According to St. George, also the wife of Archie St. George, the colt was purchased as a pinhook prospect.

“We have been very fortunate this year,” she said when asked about the year in the ring thus far. “Some of them were pinhooks and others, homebreds. But we did have a  good year. When you have the right stallions and the right pedigree, it helps.”

The colt's 17-year-old dam is also responsible for Peruvian Group 1 scorer Emilia's Moon (Malibu Moon), SP Mighty Scarlett (Scat Daddy) and Helium (Ironicus), winner of the GII Tampa Bay Derby.

The St. Georges also purchased Hip 138, a filly by Charlatan, for $280,000 earlier in the session. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales selling on behalf of the dispersal of White Fox Farm, the chestnut is out of GSW Summersault (Rock Hard Ten).

According to St. George, the operation aims to secure up to about 20 weanlings throughout the season, but admits that they typically aren't at the price point of Wednesday's purchase.

“You have to do this [buy at the upper level] unfortunately. It's hard, but it's kind of what we're up against now. But this is the one we wanted for today, and we are delighted to have him.” —@CbossTDN

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Flay’s Two Colts–A Homebred and a Pinhook–On Target for Saratoga Sale

The last few years of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale have been very profitable ones for Bobby Flay's boutique breeding operation. In 2019, he topped the sale with First Captain (Curlin) out of his homebred mare America (A.P. Indy). In 2021, his Uncle Mo–Dame Dorothy colt brought $1.6 million, the second-highest price of the week. In 2022, First Captain's full-sister was the top filly at $2,000,000, and the second-highest price overall.

And it's no wonder: Flay admitted that he targets the sale, and calls the experience “one of my favorite weeks of the year.”

“I love the environment. I love the atmosphere. It's a giant cocktail party, and selling seven-figure horses that are handpicked as the top of the crop. Some of the best eyes in the business have picked those horses out physically and from a pedigree standpoint and said, `These are the top of the crop.' You can't really bring up a horse to Saratoga that doesn't really have some serious shine to it. All the best judges in the business look at every single horse, and a handful of times, so there's nothing slipping through the cracks. If you don't have a horse that people are going to get excited about, it's probably not the right place for it to be.”

But this August will mark a big shift for Flay, whose racing and breeding program was dealt a serious blow in September with the death of his long-term advisor James Delahooke. Delahooke, an industry icon who played a key role in the creation of the Juddmonte bloodlines, was not just an advisor, but a mentor and friend to Flay.

As such, his two on offer this year with consignor Stone Farm represent a little bit of the traditional, and a little something new.

Justify–Blossomed sells as hip 6 | Thorostride photo

Hip 6, a colt by Justify-Blossomed, by Deputy Minister, was selected for him by his new bloodstock advisor Tom McGreevy out of the Keeneland November Sale for $350,000; while hip 217, a half-brother to his Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) by Not This Time, is a homebred out of White Hot, a purchased advised by Delahooke.

Pinhooking has not been a big part of Flay's playbook up until now, and has been an aspect of the game in which he has dabbled “very minimally” with “break-even to moderate success,” he says.
But if Delahooke taught him about pedigrees and families, McGreevy's forte is physicals, and Flay is benefitting from their expertise in each realm.

“James is not replaceable,” said Flay. “He taught me so much about this business. Every time that I spent time with him, I learned something new. James saw the whole picture. When you look at Juddmonte pedigrees and you look at the third and fourth dams of some of these great horses, James picked them out as yearlings. And so having James as one of my mentors in terms of buying fillies and mares is never going to be replaced.

“Last September, I had a conversation with Tom about coming onto my team, and the thing I love about Tom is that he is focused on what he wants to do. He wants to look at every horse at every sale, and he wants to find great physicals. That's what he cares about. He loves the physicality of the horse. He doesn't have to worry about the pedigrees. I'm going to take care of that. He doesn't have to worry about matings or anything like that. He tells me who he thinks are great physicals in the sale, and then I use that information to make decisions. And so far, it's been a great year. Now that I have Tom, I would consider all kinds of things that maybe I didn't consider before, just because he is such a great judge of physical. And so having him on my team gives me a tremendous amount of confidence.”

Hip 6, the Justify colt, is just one example.

“The typical horse that I look for, especially, has that great walk along with a lot of other things the agents look for–the conformation, the balance and everything,” said McGreevy, recalling his purchase of the colt as a weanling in November. “And there are intangibles, too, that we look at is; his attitude, how he handles the pressure of the sale. And he had all those qualities, I thought.”
McGreevy said that to him, the walk trumps everything.

“I still think the toughest thing to find on a horse is a really, really good walk, and he has that,” he said. “And I don't just mean they walk correctly, but they have that great athletic walk. I believe that to be able to do that, they have to have all the parts working together. That translates on the racetrack. That's how they move and how efficient they are.”

If the weanling and his page looked good last November, they look even better now. A half-brother to Grade I Spinaway winner Sippican Harbor (Orb) and the graded stakes placed Bodacious Babe (Mineshaft), the colt has received a timely update on his page with his full-sister, Awesome Result, now two-for-two in Japan since the November catalogue. And there's not a hotter sire than Justify, who has sired graded stakes winners in Europe and Australia in 2023, along with two Grade I winners in America-Arabian Lion and Aspen Grove.

“Justify is doing so well,” said McGreevy. “He's really on fire not only in the United States but in Australia and England, France. So (hip 6) has a lot of encouraging things about him, not only as an individual, but he has a lot of star power going for him and the pedigree on the bottom side, as well.”

Said Flay, “Listen, this is why somebody like Tom McGreevy is so important to a program like this, because he sees things that I'm not going to ever see. It's like cooking. You need to know your limitations. Just because you can cook Italian food doesn't mean you can cook Chinese food. I really rely on him to pick out physicals that are developing. Obviously, these horses are young. You're trying to predict the future. Obviously, no one can do that 100% of the time, but I like his batting average a lot.”

Hip 217, Not This Time–White Hot colt | Thorostride photo

Like with all his mares, Flay planned the mating for hip 217.

“I became interested in Not This Time pretty early in his success,” he said. “You could see that something good was happening early on.” At the time he planned the mating, early in 2021, Pizza Bianca hadn't yet made her first start.

“I took a calculated risk with Not This Time, and then Pizza Bianca became Pizza Bianca, won the Breeders' Cup, and then at the same time, Not This Time has developed into one of the most important young stallions we have.”

Flay has retained both White Hot and Pizza Bianca, and both are at Stone Farm, in foal to Into Mischief.

There's no telling what buyers might find (hip 217) appealing, said Flay. “It's Saratoga. It's a hot, now somewhat-proven stallion, a young, exciting stallion. It's the physical, and it's the pedigree. And it's also now the race record under the first dam. So, up close, but also in terms of history, going back four dams, five dams, six dams, it's tough to beat this pedigree. Even if you didn't have Pizza Bianca in there, it's one of the best pedigrees in the world.”

It's a pedigree that could appeal to a broad cross-section of the yearling-buying market.

“If it were five years ago, I would say to you it's going to be somebody from Japan or it's going to be somebody from Europe. But now that grass racing is so incredibly important in this country and getting more and more important, it could be anybody. Not This Time can certainly get a dirt horse, and just because it's a Galileo mare doesn't mean they can't run on dirt at some point. I would just say don't try to figure out before the horse is running where the horse is going to run. The horse will tell you where it's going to run. But this is one of the world's great pedigrees, and if I'm buying a yearling, this is the pedigree that I'm looking at, for sure.”

This week, Songbird will be elected into the Hall of Fame, and Flay will be on hand to support the man who picked her out as a yearling at this sale nine years ago for owner Rick Porter-his new advisor, McGreevy.

“Songbird was one of my favorite fillies of all time,” said Flay. “Just the fact that I get to work with the guy that picked out the horse and the horse is now being inducted into the Hall of Fame, I feel really lucky. Losing James, as I said, is never going to be something I'm going to be able to replace, from a business standpoint and also as a friend standpoint. The guy was amazing, but I'm lucky that this new chapter is with Tom.”

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2023 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Bobby Flay

As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. First up: Bobby Flay.

AMERICA (m, 12, A. P. Indy–Lacadena, by Fasliyev), booked to Gun Runner

As she continues to produce quality foals, including MGSW First Captain (Curlin), the co-sales topper at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale for $1.5 million, and his full-sister, who sold for $2 million at Saratoga last August, I'm excited to see what the hottest new sire can provide for this mare.

DAME DOROTHY (m, 12, Bernardini–Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman), booked to Gun Runner

This mare's natural speed should fit well with this sire's staying quality. Although this stud fee is not inexpensive, Dame Dorothy deserves the caviar of the crop. Her first foal, Spice is Nice, brought $1.05 million as a yearling and is a Graded stakes winner. In 2021, her yearling Uncle Mo colt brought the most ever paid for that sire's yearlings at $1.6 million. Now named Sgt. Pepper, he is all-out training with Todd Pletcher and is one to keep an eye out for on the track.

AMERICAN CAVIAR (f, 4, Curlin–America, by A. P. Indy), booked to Justify

She is the full-sister to First Captain. I'm excited to see Justify making some noise in important two-year-old races in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. There's a good chance he'll be an important force as a young stallion. The Scat Daddy influence gives me confidence that Justify will continue to produce not just winners, but winners with quality.

AMAGANSETT (m, 6, Tapit–Twirl {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), booked to Not This Time

I bought Amagansett as a yearling because I liked her sire and she comes from the illustrious Coolmore family headed by Misty for Me. Not This Time is one of the most exciting stallions in the market. He had tons of speed and his progeny are winning at classic distances on both surfaces. My kind of stallion.

LIFE WELL LIVED (m, 16, Tiznow–Well Dressed, by Notebook), booked to Constitution

Already the Grade I producer of American Patriot (War Front), she will go back to Constitution, as he is showing he can be a top player in the game. He's now being booked to some of the top pedigrees in the book, which he truly deserves. Last season's yearling colt brought over $400,000.

RUBY LIPS (m, 13, Hard Spun–It's a Ruby, by Rubiano), booked to Constitution

The dam of MGSW Lone Rock and GII winner Gerrymander throws good foal after good foal. I acquired her in foal to Constitution and I liked what I saw. It made this year's decision easy: back to the well!

STREET STRUT (m, 10, Street Cry {Ire}–Lacadena, by Fasliyev), booked to Not This Time

Not This Time should fit the pedigree well to this half-sister to America, from the family of Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister) and Rags to Riches (A. P. Indy). It's a cross that can produce anything.

TIZAHIT (m, 16, Tiznow–Never a No Hitter, by Kris S.), booked to Constitution

The producer of GI winner Come Dancing, she's ready to produce another. Last season's Constitution out of this mare sold for over $400,000 and could be a serious horse. These Constitutions are showing themselves well on the racetrack and at the sales. Why make it a tough decision??

VERONIQUE (m, 12, Mizzen Mast–Styler, by Holy Bull), booked to Curlin

As the dam of the super-fast Nashville (Speightstown), she deserves a turn to the big dog. Curlin is the epitome of a proven sire. Year after year, he plays an important role in the country's most important races. Curlin has been very good to my program and I'm excited to see what he produces with this proven mare.

SUPER ESPRESSO (m, 16, Medaglia d'Oro–Amizette, by Forty Niner), booked to Nashville

I almost never employ unproven stallions. In this case, I'm making a calculated guess that Nashville's unreal, natural speed is just what this mare needs. She has the stamina up and down her Helen Alexander pedigree. Since I have the dam (Veronique), I'm taking a shot with her best runner.

WHITE HOT (IRE) (m, 10, Galileo {Ire}–Gwynn {Ire}, by Darshaan {GB}), booked to Into Mischief

The dam of Pizza Bianca is going back to this top sire. Although this is a very fancy Coolmore family by Galileo, I believe this mare has the possibility of turning her purple bloodlines to dirt greatness and Into Mischief is the man for the job! If I'm wrong and grass is this mare's preferred surface, then this sire can do that too. Basically, the risk here is low. Serious sire power.

SINGING SWEETLY (IRE) (m, 6. Galileo {Ire}–Sing Softly, by Hennessy), booked to American Pharoah

This Galileo mare from a good American family may be the best value buy I've made in a long time. Her first foal by Study of Man brought enough at the Keeneland yearling sale last year to pay for her own price tag. Speaking of value, this sire at $60,000 may be the bargain of the decade. Somehow the market has turned its attention to other young studs, but I'm thrilled to book this young mare to this Triple Crown winner.

COVER SONG (m, 10, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Misty for Me {Ire}), by Galileo {Ire}), booked to Into Mischief

She may be the best family I currently have with the possibility of it getting better. Her first two foals, Contemporary Art (Dubawi) and Sbagliato (Quality Road) are gearing up to have black-type seasons. This mare, a half-sister to U.S. Navy Flag (War Front) and Roly Poly (War Front) only deserves the best. Back to Into Mischief it is!

POTION (m, 5, Ghostzapper–And Why Not, by Street Cry {Ire}), booked to Justify

I bought this mare out of Helen Groves's dispersal in November. She certainly was not on discount, but getting into a family by one of the world's greatest breeders in the history of the sport will always have value. Justify gets the nod for this young Ghostzapper mare. Can be dirt, can be grass. Either is fine with me.

AULD ALLIANCE (IRE) (m, 12, Montjeu {Ire}–Highland Gift {Ire}, by Generous {Ire}), booked to Sea the Stars (Ire)

After employing the great Frankel four seasons in a row, I thought I'd give him a break this year. He's thrown beautiful foal after beautiful foal. After getting a private audience with Baaeed in Mr. Haggas's yard, something told me that Sea the Stars was the key to this mare's entry to a European Classic. Check back in four years…I have a feeling!

OLD SCHOOL (GB) (f, 4, Frankel {GB}–Auld Alliance, by Montjeu {Ire}), booked to Uncle Mo

A Frankel daughter of Auld Alliance will remain in America and be bred to a sire that can produce champion dirt horses. I'm convinced that making this happen is slightly more possible than most people think. My philosophy is that good blood is good blood. It always shows up. The surface is just a speed bump.

GLINTING (IRE), (Galileo {Ire}–One Moment in Time {Ire}), by Danehill), booked to Wootton Bassett (GB)

I was thrilled to secure this Galileo mare from this Coolmore family at Arqana in December. She was offered in foal to Wootton Bassett, which is a valuable coupon that came with the mare. The Coolmore team has made a big bet on this cross and I have no problem following their lead.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com. 

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White Hot, Dam of BC Winner Pizza Bianca, to Be Bred to Into Mischief

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), will be bred to superstar stallion Into Mischief in 2022, owner Bobby Flay reported Thursday.

“I wanted to take all the guesswork out of it,” explained owner Bobby Flay on selecting the Spendthrift stallion.

Pizza Bianca is currently at Christophe Clement's Payson Park base in preparation for her 3-year-old season. White Hot was originally a 1,250,000 gns yearling at Tattersalls October in 2014. She never made it to the races, but Flay held onto the half-sister to G1SW Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), and her first foal to hit the track was Pizza Bianca.

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