La Manta Gris Tops Second Session of Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale
Following two days of strong trade, the Kentucky Winter Mixed sale closed on a high note Tuesday when the session topper – and the second highest-priced horse in the sale – La Manta Gris, a stakes placed daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, topped the session when sold for $285,000 as the last horse through the ring.
A racing/broodmare prospect offered as Hip 531, La Manta Gris was purchased by Jacques Sparrow Bloodstock from the consignment of Lane’s End, agent. A stakes placed winner at two and three, the five-year-old mare is out of Quiero Ganar, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Honey Ryder and a half-sister to seven other winners, including: graded stakes winner Cuando Puede, dam of graded stakes winner Hit It Rich and stakes winner Spanish Mission; stakes winner Cuando, dam of graded stakes winner Dominus; and graded stakes placed Cuanto Es, who produced graded stakes runner Counting Days. On the track, La Manta Gris has earned $211,362 in 18 starts to date racing for Black River Stable and trainer George Arnold.
The price for the session topper was surpassed only by Cheekaboo, who sold for $300,000 during Monday’s opening session as Hip 57.
“[It was] a competitive market from start to finish,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The first horse in the ring yesterday sold very well and the last horse in the ring today sold very well. Certainly, there was a great range of buyers.”
Three fillies and mares sold for $200,000 during the session, beginning with She’s Delightful (Hip 330), a four-year-old racing/broodmare prospect by Mission Impazible. That daughter of graded stakes winner Chimichurri was purchased by Gainesway Farm from the consignment of James M. Herbener, Jr., agent. She’s Delightful is a half-sister to the dam of Canadian champion and classic winner Wonder Gadot.
Next at that price point was graded stakes winning broodmare prospect Victress (Hip 402), winner of last year’s Ballerina S. (G3). An earner of more than $200,000 for owner/trainer Rob Gilker and owner Vicky Gilker, the six-year-old daughter of Include was purchased by Reflections LLC from the consignment of Brookdale Sales, agent for Rob & Vicky Gilker.
Taking Aim (Hip 476), a three parts sister to Tapizar, brought $200,000 when offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent. Katie Rich Farm bought the four-year-old filly, whose three parts brother Tapizar won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and sired last year’s Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Monomoy Girl.
“It’s kind of amazing,” Browning added, “to be standing in the back walking ring when the last horses are walking through the sale [ring] in February and people are saying, ‘Can you bring some more in here?’”
The sale’s top yearling went through the ring during Monday’s session, when a filly by Into Mischief (Hip 191) sold for $200,000. The February foal was purchased by Irish Meadow Stable from the consignment of Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services.
Over the course of two days, 327 horses for a total of $9,659,400. The average rose 3.0% to $29,539 from $28,673 in 2018, while the median jumped 42.9% to $15,000 from $10,500. The RNA rate fell 2.3% to 20.4%. Sixteen horses sold for six figures, of which six sold for $200,000 or more.
Results are available online.
