Abel Tasman (Quality Road–Vargas Girl, by Deputy Minister), last year's Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly, will be offered as a broodmare prospect at the upcoming Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale through the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The filly will sell as hip 288 during the auction's opening session Jan. 7.
“What can I say? Abel Tasman is a rare collector's item,” said Mark Taylor, Taylor Made's Vice President of Marketing and Public Sales Operations. “She is a future first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. We are privileged to have the opportunity to present her to the best breeders from around the globe.”
Racing for China Horse Club International and her breeder Clearsky Farms, Abel Tasman won six Grade I races, including the 2017 GI Kentucky Oaks. As a juvenile, she won the GI Starlet S., while her championship 3-year-old season also included wins in the GI Acorn S. and GI Coaching Club American Oaks, as well as a runner-up finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. In 2018, the Bob Baffert trainee captured the GI Ogden Phipps S. and GI Personal Ensign S.
“Abel Tasman provided China Horse Club with some of its greatest highlights and an introduction to U.S. racing,” said Michael Wallace, head of bloodstock for China Horse Club. “We were very privileged to race our champion mare with Clearsky Farms. I'll remember her as extremely talented, brave and very sound. We look forward to someone else now taking on her breeding career.”
On the board in 12 of 16 starts, Abel Tasman won eight times and earned $2,793,385.
“Abel Tasman had the same qualities a lot of great racehorses seem to have, but what really stood out to me was her grit, courage and determination,” said breeder and co-owner Bernard Cleary of Clearsky Farms. “The Personal Ensign especially was a race where she really showed her heart and refused to be beaten. It's bittersweet to see her move to another home, but hopefully her new owner will enjoy her as much as we have.”
Out of Vargas Girl (Deputy Minister), Abel Tasman is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Sky Girl (Sky Mesa) and stakes placed Moonlight Sky (Sky Mesa).
The four-session Keeneland January sale runs from Jan. 7 through Jan. 10.
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