by John P. Sparkman
Fifteen two-year-olds by Awesome Again, sire of four Breeders' Cup winners, highlight the seventh annual Adena Springs sale of two-year-olds in training Monday at Adena Springs South in Williston, Florida.
The offspring in the 136-horse catalog sired by Awesome Again, one of the most popular and fashionable sires in the United States, include juveniles out of stakes winners Blondaway and Petrina Above; two-year-olds out of half sisters to champions Jewel Princess and Islam; and a juvenile out of a half sister to Grade 1 winner and successful sire Wild Rush.
The sale also includes juveniles sired by leading sires A.P. Indy, El Prado (Ire), and Smart Strike as well as popular sires Empire Maker, Giant's Causeway, and Pleasant Tap.
Adena Springs annually offers a substantial portion of their foal crop for sale as two-year-olds at the Adena Springs South training center. Horses entered in the sale breeze at about a two-minute lick on the farm track at two breeze shows in the two weeks leading up to the sale.
Previous catalogs have included 2007 champion older mare and Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Ginger Punch (reserve not attained $27,000), Grade 2 winner Bear's Kid ($60,000), and Grade 3 winners Buffalo Man ($190,000), Hour of Justice (RNA $14,000), Just Rushing (RNA $37,000), Malakoff (RNA $85,000), and Thunder Touch ($95,000).
“Judging from the turnout this morning at the breeze show, we saw lots of familiar faces and a lot of new faces as well,” said Jack Brothers, general manager of Adena Springs.
“The sale has momentum; people know we sell runners. Buffalo Man has performed well, and there were a couple of recent maiden winners over the last weekend. We get a lot of repeat business, and our sire power has gone to another level over the last couple of years.
“I get the impression our customers liked what they saw.”
At last year's sale, 90 of 132 horses offered were listed as sold for $4,892,000, an average of $54,355. The 2007 Adena sale was topped by a $220,000 colt by El Prado, subsequently named Jereetoga, who has not yet started.
The sale begins at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, preceded by a picnic and entertainment at the farm's sale pavilion.
John P. Sparkman is bloodstock editor of Thoroughbred Times