NEWS
Freshman Sire Blog: Spin around
Posted: Saturday, April 23, 2011 9:38 PM
John Egan's Freshman Sire Blog appears weekly as part of the 2011 Freshman Sire Contest presented by Markel and Thoroughbred Times
by John Egan
This week saw the four-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring two-year-olds in training sale. It certainly produced results that are encouraging for the Thoroughbred industry. Gross receipts and average were up significantly compared with 2010.
The top purchase of a two-year-old by a freshman sire belonged to Hip #1094, a colt by Hard Spun out of the A.P. Indy mare Light From Above. Times have been tough in recent years for pinhookers, but this $30,000 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase was sold in the fourth and final session for $675,000.
The Gainesway freshman sire Corinthian also made an impact at the OBS sale as Hip #916, a filly out of multiple stakes-winning mare Glacken’s Mark, sold for $320,000.
There was positive news on the sales front in England too as the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS) Breeze-up Sale recorded a 10% improvement in the average price from 2010 to 2011.
The sale topper was a colt by freshman sire Hard Spun out of the Gone West dam Saudia. Again, as a successful pinhook, the colt was purchased as a yearling at Keeneland September last year for $15,000, but was sold at this sale for $228,354.
It has therefore proved to be a good week for Hard Spun at the sales. It is particularly interesting when you see purchases made in the U.S., as weanlings or yearlings, with the intent to re-sell in Europe. This successful sale at Doncaster, along with the purchase in Ocala, would seem to reflect the belief by buyers that the progeny of Hard Spun should be able to run on all surfaces.
Hard Spun’s first and only starter to date, the filly Filare l’Oro, finished a closing fourth at Pimlico Race Course on the dirt on April 15 at 4½ furlongs, so only time will tell.
With the son of Danzig also being my pick for freshman sire honors this year I am hoping his support in the ring will transfer to good results on the track.
In conclusion this week, I would like to briefly note the sad news of the passing of Jess Jackson.
I would just like to say as someone who did not know him, it seemed clear he was just a genuine fan of horse racing. Also, for a gentleman who made many a significant purchase over the years, you also got the sense that he liked to be the underdog.
After the private purchase of Rachel Alexandra, after she won the Kentucky Oaks (G1), she went to the Preakness Stakes (G1) where she became the first filly since 1924 to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. When Curlin was in training as a four-year-old, I recall the notion to race him in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) at Longchamp. Although this never came about, the fact that it was originally tabled as an idea showed a respect for the international racing scene.
Mr. Jackson will be greatly missed by all of us who love the sport of horse racing and we should be thankful for him being such a significant part of our industry over the last decade.
Previous Freshman sire blog posts:
Spring at last
It's a marathon, not a sprint
Alright son, you're nicked!
Remembering Rags to Riches
Is 2011 a safe bet for a Darley double?
What is your name? What is your favorite color?
A change of pace
Small victories
About John Egan
A native Londoner, John Egan has been a racing enthusiast from a very young age and even owned interests in Thoroughbred racehorses with his parents. After graduating from University with a business degree in 1997, John spent three years working in the London insurance market before pursuing his desire to work in the racing industry. He began work as an assistant to a trainer and was predominately based at Wolverhampton racecourse in England. After a spell in training, John then went to work for Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber's farms of Watership Down in England and Ireland before relocating to Kentucky and Lane's End Farm in 2002. After two years at Lane's End, John decided to combine his experience in the horse and insurance industries and became an equine insurance agent, which he did for three years, before making the transition to underwriter for a large multi-national insurance company. In 2008, he became underwriting manager of the Lexington office of Markel Insurance Company, which was opened in October of that year with the primarily focus of writing Thoroughbred equine mortality insurance.
With the launch of the Lexington office, John has become actively involved in Thoroughbred media to help promote Markel. He appeared on the Horse Racing Radio Network's Saturday morning show in 2009 and 2010 to discuss horses on the Kentucky Derby trail. In 2009, John also began a freshman sire competition and created a newsletter with that competition called The Freshman. That contest caught the eye of THOROUGHBRED TIMES and a partnership was formed to present the Freshman Sire Contest together in 2010. The partnership continues with the 2011 competition also being presented by Markel and THOROUGHBRED TIMES.
John lives in Lexington and is married to Melissa, who is a small animal veterinarian.
Follow the conversation at The Freshman Facebook page. For the page, click here.
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Criminal Type, Elkridge, MD on April 25, 2011 at 11:23 PM
As a big fan of Hard Spun, I was thrilled that his first starter was local for me. So, I went out to watch and take some pictures. Filare L'oro is a pretty bay filly with a thin blaze. She and the eventual winner Bluegrass Atatude bumped pretty hard leaving the gate but Filare made a pretty big move between the 1/4 pole and the wire to get up for 4th. I am very excited about Hard Spun's stud career. The thing I really liked about Filare, was the double up on Alydar/Sweet Tooth/Plum Cake in her pedigree. I've always loved Alydar and his offspring. I have always thought that Hard Spun will end up being the best son of Danzig. Its a tall order, but if her performs at stud like he did on the track, it is doable.
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Posted by: Christina, New Church, VA on April 25, 2011 at 07:28 AM
Me personally...Im thrilled to see Hard Spun doing so well. Im hopeful for his progeny as I rubbed his dam for Mike Moran. Turkeys grand dam produced Little Current. Turkey thought dirt was for rolling and grass was for running...crossed over with Danzig...yes the progeny should be able to handle both surfaces.
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