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Kia Ora 2022 Stallion Parade Highlights

G1 George Main S. – What a clash

From consecutive wins recorded by the brilliant Shannon (USA) (Midstream {GB}) in the 1940s and the superstar Kingston Town (Bletchingly) four decades later to the dashing leader Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}), the popular Lonhro and three in a row for Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), the G1 George Main S. has provided many a memorable moment.

The clash between Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) that we were all looking forward to will have to wait for another day as the latter's trainer Annabel Neasham choosing to keep the gelding for next Sunday's G1 Underwood S.

Anamoe comes into the race off the back of a dominant in the G1 Winx S. win and has since finished close-up in a Warwick Farm trial.

The son of Street Boss (USA) is capable of bringing his A-game to the races second-up; having dug deep to win the G2 Hobartville S. in his last preparation, while this time last year he was a gallant runner-up in the G1 Golden Rose S. on his second start as a 3-year-old.

Who are the most likely rivals that could oust Anamoe?

Fangirl (Sebring) recorded the fastest last 200 metres of the day with her eye-catching first-up second to Anamoe, a race in which the handsome Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was a solid fourth.

G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. – Caulfield’s 1400 metre Group 1 test

In typical Group 1 handicap style, this year's running of the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. is an even contest with 16 well-credentialled gallopers - just three of whom are already Group 1 winners - facing the starter.

In regards to elite-level form, Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) - who strips fitter for his first up G1 Memsie S. sixth - has the best record with his three Group 1 victories. He takes on three horses who ran in this race last year - Aysar (Deep Field) who was a close up fourth off lesser lead-up form, Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) was eighth but not far away from the 10th home Buffalo River (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}).

The other two Group 1 winners - Law Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) and Graceful Girl (Nicconi) - are both double-figure odds but not without claims in a race in which prediction is a bit like throwing a dart.

Right in the market is the Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) who created such a fine impression winning at his Australian debut at this track in late August. He is earning quite the following having been in the news in regards to the rather crooked pins he was born with; however, he may have to wait for another day as he is the current second emergency for the 16-horse field.

Fellow New Zealand-bred gallopers Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) look to be likely challengers with the former yet to taste defeat in four first-up attempts whilst the latter's strike rate (eight wins from 10 starts) is hard to fault. And the same can be said for Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) with his seven wins from 11 starts.

G2 The Shorts – Nature Strip vs Eduardo

Just 40 minutes after the running of what looks to be a vintage G1 George Main S., those lucky enough to be on course at Randwick will be gearing up to witness another great race. It may not be a Group 1, but this year's G2 The Shorts - run for $1 million - lacks nothing in quality.

And, like the George Main, this looks to be a two-horse race with another chapter to be written in the exciting story that is the rivalry between the grand chestnuts Nature Strip (Nicconi) and Eduardo (Host {Chi}).

How amazing their records are; between them there are 66 trips to the races - 33 wins, 11 at Group 1 level with Nature Strip's record in that company by far the superior with nine successes including his memorable last-start romp in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot.

This is the 11th meeting for the two and so far the record stands slightly in Nature Strip's favour; six times finishing ahead of Eduardo, though not always as a winner. Those 11 races have seen four wins for Nature Strip, three for Eduardo.

Giving the latter his chance to even the score on Saturday.

Table: Nature Strip versus Eduardo - Head-to-head

G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude – Classic bound 3-year-olds

With the spring Classics looming, a close eye will be kept on the young and promising horses contesting the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude.

First up as race four is the boys with 11 lightly raced 3-year-olds hoping to make their way to Group 1 glory later in the carnival. Favourite to strengthen his already good record is Godolphin's Aft Cabin (Astern) who is enjoying an excellent debut campaign - breaking his maiden at Sandown by 6l before dropping back in distance for a game G3 McNeil S. second.

Those who witnessed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) rush home at Sandown will be including him in their chances whilst Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro) and Meridius (Extreme Choice) are also displaying early talent.

The fillies get their turn in the following race, a more open affair with She's Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) and Boogie Dancer (Sooboog) vying for favouritism. The former has tasted defeat only once, with excuses, in her four New Zealand starts whilst the latter found the 1200 metres of the Listed Atlantic Jewel S. to short last time out.

Russian Revolution's girls Russian Conquest and Revolutionary Miss both strip fitter for recent runs whilst Miss Hellfire (Hellbent) has been solid at both of her runs this time in.

G2 Tea Rose – A great form race on and off the track

The form around Zougotcha's (Zoustar) G2 Silver Shadow S. win has been hard to fault; hence her favouritism in this race contested over another 200 metres.

So, game sneaking up along the rails that day, Zougotcha defeated In Secret (I Am Invincible) who last weekend easily won the G2 Run To The Rose whilst subsequent G2 Furious S. winner North Star Lass (Zoustar) was third. And second to her was Willinga Beast (Snitzel) who was fifth in the G2 Silver Shadow S. And both of those fillies again take her on.

Meanwhile, the eighth home Opal Ridge (Rubick) has since been in winning form taking on the older horses in a Randwick highway.

The Silver Shadow has been a very good guide to the Tea Rose; the two races won by the same filly on seven occasions - most recently by Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) two years ago.

Meanwhile, the Tea Rose is a great guide to future big-race success, especially in regards to the G1 Flight S. with this race's winner 16 times going on to win that feature. And there have been some extra smart ones claim the double - such as Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) and More Joyous (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) who both went onto mega Group 1 careers.

Sunline is one of the four Tea Rose winners to take out the G1 Coolmore Classic with another of those also being one of the great mares of the turf - the popular grey Emancipation (Bletchingly).

Four have headed to Melbourne to win the G1 Thousand Guineas whilst the same number have won the G1 Queen of the Turf S. And the G2 Tea Rose is a good guide to future broodmare success as well with 11 of its winners producing stakes winners including the Group 1 producers Assertive Lass (Zeditave) (Reset by Zabeel {NZ}), Mnemosyne (Encosta De Lago) (Impending by Lonhro), Bold Promise (Luskin Star) (Merlene by Danehill {USA} and Miss Pennymoney by Brocco {USA}), Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}) (Tie The Knot by Nassipour {USA}) and Glenview (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) (Timber Trader {NZ} by Woodman {USA}).

G3 Foundation Cup - Caulfield Cup-bound

It was 2016 that last saw the winner of this race go on to G1 Caulfield Cup glory, Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}), whose son Sir Bailey (Impending) contests the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, bolted up in this two starts before her moment in the Group 1 sun.

Last year's winner Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) ran a great race in the G1 Caulfield Cup, safely held but good to the line when second to the classy Incentivise (Shamus Award).

At 20-1 for the Caulfield Cup, Crystal Pegasus (GB) (Australia {GB}) is the highest in the betting of those lining up in this race on Saturday and whilst beating only one home in the G2 Chelmsford S. when resuming, he is a five-time winner at this longer trip with good second-up form.

Imported gallopers have won five of the last 11 running’s of this race and others with decent chances include Gold Strip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) who found the line so well first up in Listed company at Rosehill, Earlswood (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who, whilst last in the G2 Feehan S., did look to be in good order. Uncle Bryn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) also takes his chance and he looks nicely primed, while the Listed Heatherlie H. quinella of Emissary (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Sheraz (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) are also set to line up.

Flying the flag for the Southern Hemisphere-bred horses will be the stablemate to last year's winner, Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) whose two runs this time in have been full of merit and last year's Listed Pakenham Cup winner Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) whose Moonee Valley second in a race not run to suit was a game one.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Trained by Kerry Parker, the daughter of Dundeel (NZ) came into Friday’s event off the back of a victory at Rosehill on August 27 and she built on that performance when she defeated Riduna (Fastnet Rock) by 0.5l. Katalin (Medgalia D’Oro {USA}) was another 0.4l away in third.

Born and raised on Torryburn, the 4-year-old is out of placed Montjeu (Ire) mare Hayaat, who the Illes’ picked up for a mere $500 at the Inglis Sydney Autumn Thoroughbred Sale in 2011.

Hope In Your Heart is the fourth foal they have bred out of the mare, who have all been winners.

With four wins on her CV and $300,750 in prizemoney, Hope In Your Heart - who finished third in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic in March - has richly repaid the Illes’ shrewd investment they made back in 2011 and Mel Copelin, Torryburn’s Stud Manager told TDN AusNZ that she believes the best is yet come from the 4-year-old.

“She is owned by Alex and Deidre Illes and they have been really good friends of the Cornish Family and it was just really great to see them have that Group win today (Friday) because they love racing so much,” she said.

“The mare has been a bargain buy for the Illes and she came to Torryburn after they bought her and Hope In Your Heart was born here.

“She really deserved the win today, having run in three Group 1s last season on those Heavy tracks and she wasn’t many lengths off them.”

Copelin said, given the way the mare is bred, she was confident the further she went and she was looking forward to seeing her step up in trip.

“We have always been hopeful she was going to come through and it was great to see her do it today (Friday). I think the future is bright for her and there are a lot of mare races they can take her to,” he said.

“Once she gets over the mile, I think she will be really exciting. I think the way she is bred and the way she has gone through her career so far, you would always expect her to improve with age, so I think this season and the next, we’re going to see the best of her.”

Meanwhile, Parker said he had always held the mare in high regard, but that she has taken a bit of time to mature.

“Today was a test,” Parker said. “It set us up to see where we go. She is definitely up to those mares races, so it’s a nice stepping stone.

“To get black type is super for her pedigree. I’ve had four out of the mare, and all have been city winners, but she is the first to get black type. I’ve always had a huge opinion of her. She has just been a temperamental young lady who needed to grow up a little.”

In winning the race, the mare hands her Arrowfield Stud-based sire Dundeel with his 18th stakes winner and Copelin said they opted to send the mare to the son of High Chaparral (Ire) in 2017, believing he was good value at $27,500 (inc GST). The stallion's fee has since shot up and he now stands for $66,000 (inc GST).

“When we were thinking about where to send her, I told Alex that I liked Dundeel because he had had some really nice foals and because she was always destined to be a breed to race, I thought the fee at the time was good for a breed to race,” Copelin recalled.

"She was a really neat foal, who was normal-sized and she just cruised under the radar and it went really well.”

Despite now being 20 years old, Hayaat is still enjoying life as a broodmare and in 2021 she foaled a Castelvecchio three-quarter brother to Hope In Your Heart and she is booked to the stallion again this spring. Castelvecchio stands alongside his father Dundeel at Arrowfield for a fee of $27,500 (inc GST).

“Illes’ have got five mares on the farm and some of the yearlings will go to the sales and some will be retained to race, it’s about 50-50,” said Copelin.

“Hayaat has a Castelvecchio yearling colt and she is going back to Castelvecchio again. The Castelvecchio is very similar to Hope In Your Heart and they are both very much in the mould of the Montjeu mare, they are not overly big but they are all tough as nails, just like the mare.”

Cover image courtesy of Keeneland

Strong results

The headline acts on Thursday were two yearlings who sold for seven figures, led by a US$1.7-million (AU$2,531,000) son of Quality Road (USA), bringing the four-day total for the auction to 30 seven-figure yearlings. Fifteen reached that mark last year.

Over the two Book 2 sessions, Keeneland sold 449 horses in the ring for a gross of US$123,330,000 (AU$183,609,000). The book average was US$274,677 (AU$408,900), up 6 per cent from the 2021 Book 2 average and the median of US$225,000 (AU$335,000) was up 12.5 percent from a year ago.

“It was an incredible week,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy.

“This session last year was extremely strong and was up quite a bit from the previous year. So, the fact that we are just ticked up slightly over last year is really encouraging. I think it is holding steady. The clearance rate is ticked up a little bit as well, but again, it is probably a little higher than we'd like. We are up to 30 million-dollar-plus yearlings over the four days and that is, in any metrics, really strong. That is a lot of different sellers, different breeders, large to small. I think the competitiveness among the buyers was really energetic. We were pleased overall. It is never perfect and we are trying to analyse carefully how it can be better going forward.”

Mike Repole, part of last year's leading buyer partnership with Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, remained front and centre in the pavilion through the first week of the auction. Repole and Viola were the leading buyers through four sessions of the 12-day sale with 30 yearlings purchased for US$12.54 million (AU$18,669,000). In his own name, Repole is the fourth-leading buyer with 23 yearlings purchased for US$6.765 million (AU$10,071,600). And in total, Repole, with various partners and by himself, purchased 60 yearlings for a total of US$23.49 million (AU$34,971,000).

“Having Mike Repole and his team here in person has really given the sale a lift,” said Keeneland's Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “Todd Pletcher has been here and I think they have spent 90 per cent of their time in their seats in the pavilion and buying so much quality. With Mick Wallace and Rory Babich working so hard on behalf of Vinnie Viola as well, both in partnership and individually, it is creating the energy around the sale we really strive for.”

Through four sessions, 898 yearlings have grossed US$236,990,000 (AU$352,821,200). The average is up 9.59 per cent to US$354,245 (AU$527,400) and the median is up 10 per cent to US$275,000 (AU$409,400). The buy-back rate is 25.50 per cent. It was 30.18 per cent at this point a year ago.

The strength of the market this week at Keeneland is no surprise to Chris Baker of Three Chimneys Farm, which sold Thursday's second million-dollar yearling, a colt by Gun Runner (USA), for US$1.2 million (AU$1,786,500).

“I'm not surprised because of the way (Fasig-Tipton) Saratoga was and the way things have been recently,” Baker said. “I anticipated it being very strong. There are a lot of good things happening. Even though racing is smaller and a little more concentrated, there are a handful of tracks that you can run a maiden for US$100,000 and maybe win a race and pay your training bills for a year. There are just so many positives going on in racing in general and in Kentucky in particular. It's an exciting time and the principals are excited and optimistic.”

The Keeneland September sale will have an off-day Friday and the action will resume with the first of two Book 3 sessions Saturday with bidding beginning at 10am (local). The auction continues through September 24.

Lanni wins out on Quality Road colt

A colt by Quality Road (Hip 886) shook things up about halfway through Thursday's session, igniting a spirited bidding war that came down to Mike Repole, bidding from the left side of the pavilion besides trainer Todd Pletcher, and Donato Lanni, who was bidding over the phone. Repole was in up until US$1.65 million (AU$2,456,400), but gave an emphatic no after Lanni upped his bid to US$1.7 million (AU$2,531,000) and the hammer fell. Lanni did not disclose his client when signing the ticket, but Amr Zedan's Zedan Racing Stable announced on Twitter that the session topper had been purchased on Zedan's behalf.

“Bob (Baffert) loved him,” Lanni said. “We all loved him. Everybody loved him it looks like. Everybody was waiting for him. All of the usual suspects were visible.”

Lanni continued, “He is a beautiful horse. He is just super athletic, a really laid-back, good-looking Quality Road. He is made really well. He is the right kind.”

Consigned by Nardelli Sales, Hip 886 was bred by Kim and Rodney Nardelli, William Werner and W.S. Farish. Werner purchased the colt's dam Act Now (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) for US$150,000 (AU$223,300) at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale carrying a foal by Kitten's Joy (USA). The resulting foal brought just US$70,000 (AU$104,200) last year.

“He's a lovely horse we bred and raised,” said Rodney Nardelli. “He's got everything. He's beautiful, he's correct, he vets. He's been nice all his life. We're appreciative of Keeneland's format and the support of the buyers.”

Quality Road has had a sensational September Sale so far. He is responsible for the current US$2.5-million (AU$3,721,900) topper and seven of his foals have brought seven figures through the first four days. The Lane's End stalwart has had 29 yearlings sell so far for a total of US$18.75 million (AU$27,914,200) and average of US$646,552 (AU$962,600).

Late fireworks for Gun Runner colt

A colt by Gun Runner (Hip 1086) set off late fireworks as the fourth session of the Keeneland September sale began to wind down on Thursday night, ultimately selling for US$1.2 million (AU$1,786,500) to bloodstock agent Mike Ryan. The yearling is out of Grade 1 winner Malibu Prayer (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}) and was consigned by Four Star Sales, as agent for her breeder, Three Chimneys Farm.

“Obviously, he's a Gun Runner,” Ryan, who did his bidding out back alongside trainer Chad Brown, said of the yearling's appeal. “He reminded me quite a bit of Early Voting. He's from one of Ned Evans' best pedigrees. He was a big, impressive, imposing horse that moved like a cheetah. I said to Chad, 'Can you imagine Flavien Prat or Irad Ortiz on his back right now?' He was a magnificent horse with a lot of class and quality.”

Early Voting (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}), a US$200,000 (AU$297,800) Keeneland September yearling, won this year's G1 Preakness S. for Klaravich Stables and Brown.

“He's been bought for a partnership; he'll got to Chad and hopefully we can win a Preakness with him,” Ryan said of the yearling.

Three Chimneys Farm's Chris Baker said the million-dollar sale exceeded expectations.

“It was outstanding,” Baker said of the result. “Gun Runner will do that for you. And the female family didn't hurt any either.”

Three Chimneys' stallion Gun Runner, who continues to produce on the racetrack, has been represented by five seven-figure yearlings during the first four days of the Keeneland September sale.

“I don't remember a stallion like him,” Baker said. “I am a little close to the fire, so it's easy for me to be biased. But it's just remarkable what his offspring are doing on the racetrack and what he's doing at the sale with a wide variety of mares, physically and on pedigree. He just suits so many. It's great. We are just very fortunate to be a part of it.”

Asked what he is seeing in the young stallion's offspring, Baker said, “Mentally it's the trainability and willingness. And physically, it's athleticism and movement and just how they carry themselves. To get the two of those together like he had, and he conveys to so much of his offspring, is why we are getting the exceptional results we are.”

Gun Runner filly continues big week for Stoneway

Jim Stone's Stoneway Farm, which had its first million-dollar sale during the first session of the Keeneland September sale, just missed having a second seven-figure yearling when a filly by Gun Runner (Hip 833) sold for US$925,000 (AU$1,377,100) on Thursday in Lexington. Bloodstock agent David Ingordo, standing alongside CRK Stables' Lee Searing, made the winning bid on the filly who was consigned by Paramount Sales.

“I am pretty dang excited,” Stone's racing manager and partner Terri Burch said after watching the filly sell Thursday. “I am thrilled and over the moon.”

Hip 833 is a chestnut filly out of Stonetastic (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}), a mare purchased by the Stoneway team for US$77,000 (AU$114,600) as a Keeneland September yearling in 2012 who went on to win the 2014 G2 Prioress S. and 2016 G2 Inside Information S.

“We were expecting about what she brought,” Burch said of the filly. “She was very popular here. We loved her and she looked so much like Gun Runner with the pretty head of Stonetastic.

“It is bittersweet,” Burch admitted of the decision to sell the prized fillies. “We love them. I am a horseperson and I see them born and I see them develop, but I also know that the farm has to have an income so that I can breed again to Into Mischief and Gun Runner. If I don't sell, then we are not going to breed up there.”

Stoneway has about 20 broodmares and the group includes Stonetastic's unraced first foal Stonetonic (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}).

“We actually have another daughter of Stonetastic who wasn't able to race and she is in the November sale and she looks dead on like Stonetastic,” Burch said. “She is a Candy Ride and is just gorgeous.”

Both Stoneway fillies were out of mares who were acquired inexpensively before going on to Graded stakes-winning careers. Now the challenge for the team is to reinvest in fillies who will carry on that tradition.

“This is our best crop of babies from top to bottom that we have ever raised. We had a good July sale with the three horses that we sold there, as well,” Burch continued.

Later in Thursday's session, Stoneway sold a Vino Rosso (USA) half-sister to multiple Graded winner Ahh Chocolate (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) (Hip 891) for US$235,000 (AU$349,900) and a Liam's Map (USA) half-brother to Instagrand (USA) (Hip 902) for US$200,000 (AU$297,800).

SF/Starlight/Madaket still going strong

The powerhouse colt-buying partnership lead by SF, Starlight and Madaket Stables did not slow during Thursday's session, buying a US$700,000 (AU$1,042,100) Uncle Mo (USA) colt (Hip 832) early in the day. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales.

“Uncle Mo is a proven stallion,” said SF's Tom Ryan. “The colt is a beautiful horse out of a good racemare with a deep family. Donato (Lanni) and Bob (Baffert) really love this horse. We are happy to land him. He will make his way to Eddie Woods for the winter and hopefully find his way to California next spring.”

Breeder PTK purchased Hip 832's dam Still There (USA) (Union Rags {USA}) for US$160,000 (AU$238,200) at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2015. She went on to win a stake at Laurel and finish second in Saratoga's GI Ballerina S. This is her first foal.

West signs for new partnership

Bloodstock agent Jacob West left his seat in the pavilion next to owner Mike Repole to head out back where he went to US$600,000 (AU$893,300) to acquire a colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 828) from the St George Sales consignment. The yearling, who is out of stakes-placed mare Spring Eclipse (USA) (Unbridled's Song {USA}) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Bet She Wins (USA) (First Samurai {USA}), was purchased for new clients.

“He's for a new partnership, some new guys who are getting into the business,” West said. “And like everyone else in this game, they want to win the Kentucky Derby. We just figured a son of Uncle Mo, with his physique and pedigree, he might be a horse for the future. We will keep our fingers crossed.”

While declining to name the new clients, West said, “There are two guys from the East Coast and two guys from the West Coast, so it's four guys all together. We've been trying to spot some horses and it's been tough. They've actually gotten outbid on three or four other horses earlier in Book 1 and one earlier today. I think they are going to be guys that are going to stick around for a long time.”

West said the colt could be trained by Todd Pletcher on the East Coast or Michael McCarthy if he heads west.

Rigney secures pair of pricey fillies

Richard Rigney's Rigney Racing came to Keeneland looking for fillies that would one day join their broodmare band. With trainer Phil Bauer signing the tickets, the operation acquired a pair of pricey fillies during Book 2, going to US$925,000 (AU$1,377,100) for a Twirling Candy (USA) filly (Hip 621) Wednesday and taking home a daughter of the late Arrogate (USA) on Thursday (Hip 805) for US$590,000 (AU$878,400).

Bred and consigned by Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm, Hip 621 is out of the Distorted Humor (USA) mare Double Sharp (USA), who is a daughter of Bsharpsonata (USA) (Pulpit {USA}).

“She was a standout for us,” said Bauer. “We will race them first and hopefully turn out some blue hen mares.”

Hip 805 was bred and consigned by the Bell family's Mill Ridge Farm. They acquired her dam Scarlet Love (USA) (Not For Love {USA}), who hails from an accomplished Stonestreet family, for US$130,000 (AU$193,500) in foal to Indian Charlie (USA) at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale. Already the dam of stakes-placed Cursor (USA) (Quality Road {USA}), Scarlet Love is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Tara's Tango (USA) (Unbridled's Song {USA}) and Visionaire (USA) (Grand Slam {USA}), as well as Scarlet Strike (USA) (Smart Strike {USA}) and Madison's Luna (USA) (Tapit {USA}).

“She's got all the right parts,” said Bauer. “She has a nice physical. We know the family. We've had two out of the second dam, so we are really big fans. There is enough page there that she can be a nice broodmare for us and, hopefully, a nice racehorse before. She looks early. Hopefully, she will be a good one.

“That was well beyond our hopes and dreams,” said Price Bell Jr., general manager of Mill Ridge Farm. “She was a very special filly and was a standout on the day. She is lovely. Some very good judges were all around her. The dam has one ovary. We bought her from our friends at Airdrie Stud and she has been really good to us. The buyers, Richard Rigney and Phil Bauer, bought a filly from us several years ago named Mariah's Princess that turned out well. They are good people and take good care of their horses. When Arrogate went to US$50,000 (AU$74,400) we felt like it was good value and the mare deserved a shot.”

Juddmonte's Champion Arrogate passed away in 2021 after producing only three crops. A filly from his first crop, Secret Oath (USA), took the G1 Kentucky Oaks this year and he had a phenomenal weekend at Del Mar with And Tell Me Nolies (USA) winning the G1 Del Mar Debutante on Saturday and Cave Rock (USA) capturing the G1 Del Mar Futurity on Sunday.

“It is a shame we lost him,” Bauer said. We have a nice 3-year-old filly by him, so we are a fan of the stallion.”