Hastings Heroines at Keeneland

Lots of local action at the Keeneland November Sale, with some familiar names passing through the ring

Nov 15, 2022

Wonderful former Hastings’ star HERE’S HANNAH (Numanny) was offered in-foal to BLAME (Arch). She received a bid of $55,000, but was led out of the ring at Keeneland without making her reserve. The powerful chestnut, who was a force of nature at Hastings, winning 15 of her 21 starts, was subsequently sold privately to Borealis Bloodstock. Fans of racing at Hastings will eagerly await her first runner.

Cu At Eau Claire Fails to Sell

Consigned by the storied Buck Pond Farm and offered in-foal to the Triple Crown hero JUSTIFY (Scat Daddy), former Hastings star C U AT EAU CLAIRE (Haynesfield) failed to make her reserve when lead out of the ring at $190,000. Bred by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and bought as a yearling by Don Danard, C U AT EAU CLAIRE won nine of her 33 starts (she also made the frame on nine other ocassions), including the BC Debutante, Hard Rock Casino and Sadie Diamond Stakes as a juvenile, before landing the Chariot Chaser at Northlands Park on her Sophomore debut and a Hastings division of the CTHS Stakes at the end of her three-year-old campaign.

Tiptoe Strides into New Ownership

British Columbia’s Whitewood Farm offered useful former Swift Thoroughbreds’ BC Oaks’ runner-up TIPTOE (Tiz Wonderful) for sale in-foal to BLAME (Arch). Connections were rewarded when the young mare, who has already produced two colts (by Honor Code and Union Rags respectively), was knocked down to Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds for $55,000.

Racing Club’s ‘Promise’ Makes $75,000

Connections of former Hastings Racing Club favourite WARRIOR’S PROMISE (Warior’s Reward) agreed a private sale to Gallagher’s Stud for the mare, who was led out unsold at $75,000 after being offered in-foal to MACLEAN’S MUSIC (Distorted Humor). Warrior’s Promise may have only won twice, but she was admirably consistent sort, hitting the board in 13 of her 23 races. The maiden mare was also placed in no fewer than five Stakes contests — not bad for a horse who was purchased out of the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Nancy Betts for just $3,500.

Potozny Bags Young War Front Mare

Finally, Larry Potozny, whose nine-time winner Ourevelady has proved such a marvellous servant, had to find just $7,000 to secure the 10-year-old mare, MOTHER OF SWORDS (War Front). A $310,000 yearling who was unraced, Mother of Swords has had six foals so far, including winners FOUR OF SWORDS (Uncle Mo) and DECK OF CARDS (Nyquist). Interestingly, the mare, who was offered in-foal to BEAU LIAM (Liam’s Map) has now passed through the Keeneland ring on four occasions, once as a yearling and then three more times as a broodmare, making $310k, $180k, $150k and, now, $7k. It’s a funny old game.