Better Than Honour, the 2007 Broodmare of the Year, will be offered in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall mixed sale as part of a dissolution of the partnership between Mike Moreno’s Southern Equine Stable and John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms.
Better Than Honour, a 12-year-old Deputy Minister mare out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Blush With Pride, by Blushing Groom (Fr), produced back-to-back Belmont Stakes (G1) winners Jazil and Rags to Riches and unbeaten Peter Pan Stakes (G2) winner Casino Drive.
Moreno owns 70% of Better Than Honour, who is not in foal. They bought her privately after Jazil’s Belmont victory in 2006.
The dispersal also will include Grade 1 winners Madcap Escapade, in foal to A.P. Indy, and Point Ashley, in foal to Distorted Humor.
Madcap Escapade was the highest-priced broodmare in the 2006 Keeneland November breeding stock sale when Sikura and Moreno bought her for $6-million. In the 2007 Keeneland November sale, Moreno bought out Sikura’s interest in her first foal, a Pulpit filly, for $1.7-million.
Point Ashley was a $1.8-million purchase as the highest-price in the 2007 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
Sikura said the split derives from “differing goals within the Thoroughbred business.”
Moreno recently purchased Parrish Hill Farm in Midway, Kentucky, and he plans to move his broodmare band there from Hill ‘n’ Dale in Lexington.
“Southern Equine is a breed-to-race operation, and with the purchase of our new farm in Midway, breeding to race will be our primary pursuit,” Moreno said. “Hill ‘n’ Dale is essentially a commercial breeding facility and wishes to continue to offer its top weanlings and yearlings for sale at public auction.”
The dispersal will consist of eight mares and five weanlings.
"We are proud of the fact that Southern Equine and Hill 'n' Dale were able to assemble one of the best broodmare bands in the world, including Better than Honour who is clearly one of the most important mares in the history of the breed," Sikura said. "Offering this group at public auction is fair to both sides of the partnership and I am sure they will be extraordinarily well received. There are truly once in a lifetime opportunities in this group for the private and commercial breeder alike."
The 13 horses to be offered in the dispersal:
Better Than Honour;
Crystal Current, a five-year-old stakes winner, by A.P. Indy out of Dream Supreme, by Seeking the Gold. She is in foal to Distorted Humor;
A weanling Maria’s Mon colt out Crystal Current;
Last Song, a seven-year-old Grade 2 winner, by Unbridled’s Song out of Queen of Spirit, by Deputy Minister. She is in foal to Distorted Humor;
A weanling A.P. Indy filly out of Last Song;
Madcap Escapade, a seven-year-old Grade 1 winner, by Hennessy out of Sassy Pants, by Saratoga Six. She is in foal to A.P. Indy;
Point Ashley, a four-year-old Grade 1 winner, by Point Given out of Golden Thatch, by Slew o’ Gold. She is in foal to Distorted Humor;
A weanling Distorted Humor filly out of Point Ashley;
Promenade Colony, the 16-year-old dam of Grade 2 winner Promenade Girl, by Pleasant Colony out of Dance Review, by Northern Dancer. She is in foal to Stormy Atlantic;
A weanling Giant’s Causeway colt out of Promenade Colony;
Sensation, a five-year-old Grade 3 winner, by Dixie Union out of Ryn, by Mr. Prospector. She is in foal to A.P. Indy;
A weanling Giant’s Causeway filly out of Sensation; and
Surprises Welcomed, a three-year-old Storm Cat filly out of Welcome Surprise, by Seeking the Gold. A maiden in three starts, the $3-million purchase in the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale will be offered as a racing or broodmare prospect.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer