Winter Wonderland

As expected, my maiden voyage to Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky Winter Mixed in Lexington, KY was amazing!  I headed out to the auction house property early Sunday afternoon to walk among the stables and see all that I could take in.  Fortunately, it was relatively warm for February. With 3 cameras and a smart phone in hand I snapped up some pretty pictures.  Then I took a seat, right in the middle of the bar and restaurant area, so that I could watch the horses make their final showing, in the paddock area, before entering the auction floor.  Large televisions everywhere and the nice speaker system let me view and hear the auction room.  I did go over, for a bit, and peer through the glass, but I don’t dare to enter, because I’m afraid my wiggle may indicate an offer.

When I arrived, I made a bee line to the stables looking for Polar Foxx, the very rare white Thoroughbred.  She was as beautiful as I had hoped.  I spoke to her owner’s son for a while while I checked her out up close.  I inquired if she would make a race horse or a movie star?  He said she could run.  She is a 2 year old filly that was sold day two at this auction for just $25,000 from Sundance Thoroughbreds of Indiana to Calumet Farm of Lexington, KY.  Her dam, Snow Drift,  is white as is her only other foal, whom is older.  Her sire is Silver Mountain, who has won several races.  I wonder what Calumet has planned for her?  I would like to see more white Thoroughbreds but I would love to watch her race first!  Such a pretty girl.

Sitting with one of my favorite horseman, we watched the sale of Gamay Noir.  Born in Kentucky, in 2010, she sold for just $15,000 at Keeneland in 2013, but he knew her story and that she was worth so much more.  Gamay Noir brought the highest price of the day at $375,000 selling from Taylor Made of Nicholasville, KY to agent Justin Casse of Florida.  She is sired by Harlan’s Holiday, now deceased, who had multiple grade 1 stakes wins and ran in all legs of the triple crown.  Her dam was Uncork, sired by Unbridled, also deceased.  He won the Kentucky Derby and ran all three races of the triple crown as well.  Gamay Noir may still race or be used as a broodmare.

As hip 165 finished I had to call it a night.  Sunday night ended at hip 200.  Monday started early at 10 am.  They sold all the way up to hip 616 to finish.  Hips numbered 535 to 616 were late entries, placed in the supplemental catalogue.  Last but not least rang true for this sale.  The highest bid of the race went to Rose to Gold number 614.  She is a 5 year old that sold to WinStar Farm of Versailles, KY for $450,000.  She has a great pedigree including Tabasco Cat and Storm Cat.  I love cat and kitten named horses!  Seattle Slew and Mr. Prospector are in her lineage too. I could write a whole blog on just her family.  Rose to Gold had a nice winning history herself.  Now retired, she will be bred to Tiznow.

I had a great time on my last field trip.  I can not wait to go to another sale.  Maybe, I can learn to sit still and get in the ring?  Until then, I am enjoying the freedom of making new friends, and learning more about the great Thoroughbred race horses.