A Bountiful Saturday!
Dear Partners and Friends,
Much to report after Saturday's non stop action.
Patrick's Day
Before we get to the sale, let's give PATRICK'S DAY his due for a terrific win that makes Donegal two for two this weekend!
PATRICK ran as brave a race as anyone could ask for and with Miguel Mena up, got the job done. If you have not seen the race here is the link and watch the incredible courage in the stretch!
(Select Saturday, September 17, Race 5)
Keen Ice & Two Year Olds
Earlier in the day KEEN ICE fans got some excitement too as he posted yet another outstanding work for Todd Pletcher. Todd said the gallop out signaled he is very ready to race and that he will run after two more breezes.
And if ICE wasn't enough to get everyone started take a look at the ARKLOW breeze for Brad Cox.
Team Baffert says they have not let this colt run a step and he has posted all these good numbers under a strong hold. He will race in two weeks and I can't wait!
Our two year olds are making a lot of noise as they get ready to go to the races and we will have a full report on that as soon as the sale is over.
Keeneland Sale
And now, THE SALE! Yesterday was a great day that could have been one horse better.
We began the day by purchasing Hip 1172, a very, very nice Scat Daddy out of a Curlin mare. From the family of Afleet Alex, this is a big scopey colt with great bone and physical presence.
Our next task was to take down two of the finest colts of the entire sale: Hips 1231 and 1256. 1231 is a Ghostzapper colt out of a Dynaformer mare that was a magnificent physical specimen with a terrific cardio and vet scores. Unbeknownst to us, Bob Baffert was also on the horse and Bob prevailed at $650,000 after I went to $625,000. At $625,000 I was already $75,000 past my own established limit and so I conceded. If we had known Bob was on the horse we might well have been able to work something out with him but that isn't the way sales work when there are so many horses and so much physical territory in which to bid.
Stung by our failure to get 1231 in the barn we next turned our attention to 1256, the Curlin out of the War Front mare. Curlin and War Front are two of the top four sires currently so what could be better than having both in one horse? This lad will arrive at Elloree as the best looking, best bred horse in Donegal history. Does that guarantee success? Not at all but it is a nice start :). This horse deserves a magnificent name so get busy!
We finished up the day planning to buy another Uncle Mo that we thought we could get for about $250,000. He sold for $750,000 to Lane's End. Dear Lord!
Today we have just two bullets in our holster but we will be there with an eye on one horse in particular. Tomorrow we should have at least three to consider.
Day Six report coming tomorrow.
Jerry
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