$2.3 million Jackie's Warrior filly breaks records at Ocala Breeze Up

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

Through two sessions, the Spring sale has produced three seven-figure juveniles, all by first-crop sires. Leading the way was the daughter of Jackie's Warrior consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds who sold to Fitriani Hay. She was joined by a colt by Epicenter who topped Tuesday's session on a bid of $1.95 million (AU$2.7 million), and a colt by Cyberknife who sold on Wednesday for $1.2 million (AU$1.7 million) to West Point Thoroughbreds and Mike Talla.

History made with highest priced filly

The OBS April Sale has a new record highest-priced filly as a daughter of first-crop sire Jackie's Warrior (hip 570) exploded from US$140,000 (AU$195,000) Keeneland September Yearling grad to US$2.3 million (AU$3.2 million) 2-year-old for successful bidder Mrs. Fitriani Hay and consignor Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds.

With the fall of the hammer, she also became the second highest-priced horse ever sold at the OBS April Sale. Hay often pairs up with prominent American trainer Wesley Ward and the partnership has combined on both sides of the Atlantic, campaigning the likes of Grade 1 winner Nakatomi (Firing Line) who most recently ran sixth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 28.

Ward, known for his juvenile success, has already been pegged as the trainer for this record-setting filly who blitzed her furlong in a sales-quickest time of :9 3/5. She'll now have the chance to do something that her sire, with all his success, never could… win at Keeneland.

“This one will go to Wesley Ward and she'll stay in America,” said bloodstock agent Alex Cole who spoke on behalf of Hay after the ticket was signed as D. Farrington. “She'll go to Keeneland. Wesley recommended her. Fitriani has a lot of horses in the U.K. and a lot of horses at Keeneland.”

Cole indicated that Hay's newest addition was nearly perfect conformationally, saying, “We wouldn't spend that sort of money if there was any flaw.”

Spendthrift Farm-based champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior has his first runners this year and awaits his first starter. In addition to this record-setter, he has had four other six-figure 2-year-olds sell during the first two sessions of this year's OBS April Sale. All three of his top-priced juveniles thus far has been fillies.

This filly is out of another classy sprinter in Brazen Persuasion (Indian Charlie) who captured the GIII Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga in 2013. She's seen just as much success in her broodmare career, producing six winners from as many runners led by stakes-placed Ruggs (Gun Runner).

The Hartley/DeRenzo consignment, which is based in Ocala, is certainly no stranger to success in its hometown sale at OBS. Some of their more recent graduates include Breeders' Cup winner Shisospicy (Mitole) who RNA'd in 2024 after also working in :9 3/5.

“We were pretty confident that she would do well,” said Dean DeRenzo, whose OBS history stretches back decades. “It means a lot (to sell a new record-setting filly). This is our home, and we sold the first million-dollar (2-year-old) that was ever sold here at OBS. And now I guess she's the highest-priced filly ever sold. So it feels good. We're a part of OBS. We're shareholders here, so it feels good to be here at home.”

Cyberknife colt makes $1.2 million

A colt from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Cyberknife (hip 576) became the third to bring seven figures at the OBS Spring sale when bringing a final bid of US$1.2 million (AU$1.7 million) from West Point Thoroughbred's Terry Finley. Finley, who purchased the colt in partnership with Mike Talla, did his bidding out back next to John Sadler, who will train the chestnut colt.

“I really loved him,” Sadler said. “He's a nice big, stretchy colt. He looks like all of two turns. Hopefully you will see him in the big races this fall.”

The colt was consigned by de Meric Sales on behalf of his breeder, Machmer Hall.

“I think the market's been fair and just the same kind of trends that we've been seeing the last few years,” said de Meric Sales' Tristan de Meric.

“I think when you have the goods and when they check all the boxes, the results are spectacular. And if they missed the mark, even by a little bit, it's difficult. But luckily, we have a couple that have made up for a few of the others. There's plenty of opportunities out there at all levels in this market, but the high end is very strong.”

Out of Broadway Show (Unbridled's Song), hip 576 had originally been catalogued in Book 1 of the Keeneland September sale last fall.

“Of all of our yearlings, he was the number one ranked physical,” said Machmer Hall's Carrie Brogden. “We were a little light in Book 1 because, really, our bread and butter at Machmer Hall is Books 2, 3, 4. (Keeneland's) Cormac (Breathnach) called me and said they needed more horses in Book 1 and they felt this horse, physically, could stand up. He is a May baby and surrounded by Gun Runners and Into Mischiefs and Not This Times, it's not easy for a horse. And he's not out of a Grade I-winning mare. It was just not the right time in Book 1. We had a great yearling sale, we just decided, he's a big, easy-moving colt with a great mind, let's send him to the 2-year-old sales.”

Brogden continued, “He was always a superior physical, but we were a little aggressive in our book placement in September. So we just scratched him in September and I sent him down to Tristan (de Meric) in October.”

Hip 576 became the first seven-figure sale for Cyberknife, winner of the 2022 GI Arkansas Derby and GI Haskell Stakes. The stallion stands at Spendthrift for US$15,000 (AU$21,000).

“This horse is definitely special, he could be any kind,” Tristan de Meric said of the juvenile. “I am a fan of Cyberknife. I do think he has a bright future.”

Drawing on three generations of the stallion's family, Sadler said, “I have a long history with Candy Ride, which goes to Gun Runner and obviously Cyberknife is a son of Gun Runner. Gun Runner is probably the best horse here. So this horse definitely is a good horse and he will have a good shot to be a good stallion.”

Familiarity adds to Omaha Beach filly appeal

When an Omaha Beach filly (hip 437) hammered down for US$650,000 (AU$905,000) to Alex and JoAnn Lieblong in the opening hours of Wednesday's second OBS April session, consignor Robbie Harris knew she'd sold to good hands. His Harris Training Center operation has a long-established history with the couple dating back to at least 2013 when then-unassuming Maryland-bred The Big Beast (Yes It's True) joined his training string after the Lieblongs purchased him for US$150,000 (AU$209,000) at the 2013 OBS April Sale.

That colt's subsequent win in the GI Ketel One King's Bishop Stakes at Saratoga the following year was a catalyst that propelled the Lieblongs, and Harris himself, to further success including the likes of another top-level winner Wicked Whisper who was the first 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for her then-young sire Liam's Map.

“I've loved that filly from day one and I've had some good fillies over the years,” Harris said after congratulating the Lieblongs. “This is a good client of mine and I told (them) that she was a good one, so I hope it pans out.”

Purchased late last year by HTC/Voric Stables for US$120,000 (AU$167,000) as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale, the chestnut filly worked her furlong in :10. She's out of an unplaced Distorted Humor half-sister to German Group 1 winner Campanologist (Kingmambo) and from the family of three-time Canadian champion mare Glorious Song and her son, Group 1 winner and sire Singspiel (Ire).

Harris and the HTC/Voric Stables partnership have seen plenty of previous success as well, teaming up just last year to sell a Nyquist colt for US$1.05 million (AU$1.46 million) while 2024 saw them sell Built (Hard Spun), a colt who placed several times last year at Fair Grounds on the Road the Kentucky Derby.

Impressive on the track, Harris said this filly out-performed every expectation set for her.

“She worked stupid (good) on the racetrack,” Harris said of his filly's breeze. “Her gallop out was crazy. But it's funny, the good ones always seem to rise above the rest. (The price was) unbelievable. (HTC/Voric Stables) paid $120,000 for her so we thought, maybe $240,000, double their money. (This result) was very good.”

Roadster youngsters showing up well

Ocala Stud stallion Roadster, who enjoyed a strong showing at the OBS March sale, continued to attract interest in the sales ring with a colt (hip 596) from the Grade I winner's first crop selling for US$625,000 (AU$870,000) to Shunsuke Kubota Wednesday in Ocala. Consigned by Ocala Stud, the juvenile worked a quarter-mile last week in :20 3/5. He is out of Italian group winner Candy Store (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Both sire and dam competed in the colours of Peter Fluor and KC Weiner's Speedway Stables, which also bred hip 596.

“He's always, from the very beginning, been very balanced, mid-sized, not big,” Speedway advisor Marette Farrell said of the colt. “Roadster actually is a very tall horse, but this horse has the Roadster colour, but very much takes after his dam who is by Lope de Vega, who is a really good broodmare sire. And she's done super well because we have basically sent her to all the Speedway stallions. She went to Collected, Roadster and now she has a first meeting with Corniche.”

Candy Store is the dam of stakes winner and multiple graded-placed Vive Veuve (Collected) and stakes-placed Peanutbutterbombe (Collected).

Roadster stands at Ocala Stud for US$7500 (AU$10,400). At the OBS March sale, he was represented by three six-figure juveniles, led by a US$425,000 (AU$592,000) colt and a US$275,000 (AU$383,000) filly.

“We are thrilled with the horses he has put on the ground,” Farrell said of Roadster's first foals. “They are really good movers with great minds. I think he has a huge chance to make it.”

Speedway has between 10 and 12 broodmares and is committed to offering all its foals at auction.

“They sell everything,” Farrell said. “Peter feels that's the honorable thing to do. And that's no surprise. That's the way Peter and KC operate. So we really did want to keep this colt. But I am also very proud to be part of an operation that thinks like that. And also proud to see those mares coming out with good horses.”

For Farrell, who purchased Roadster on behalf of Speedway Stables for US$525,000 (AU$731,000) at the 2017 Keeneland September sale and watched the gray go on to win the 2019 GI Santa Anita Derby, it is extra special to see his offspring well received in the ring.

“I think I am going to shed a tear, I am so proud,” she said.