Edited Press Release
Purchasing two in-foal broodmares at the 2022 Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale doubled the size of Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds' broodmare band. The mares Tiptoe and Turning Point were the latest step in Colin Davis's methodical entrance into the racing game.
Davis, a resident of Cobourg, Ont., is new to racehorse breeding and ownership, but familiar with the equine stars of the sport. Growing up, he attended races at Kawartha Downs and in the last decade has owned multiple off-track Thoroughbreds.
As Davis went looking for more information on the racing industry, he found Ontario Racing's Horse Ownership 101 Sessions. An initial meeting with Elissa Blowe provided clarity on what style of ownership matched his vision. Blowe connected Davis to leading bloodstock agent Marette Farrell, and he headed to the Bluegrass State for the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Davis spent four days, “pounding the pavement” with Farrell and left Kentucky with two mares purchased through Ontario Racing's Mare Purchase Program (MPP), a component of the Thoroughbred Improvement Program. When purchasing in-foal mares at recognized public auctions outside of the province, Ontario residents can apply for an incentive totaling half the purchase price, to a maximum of $25,000 per mare and $75,000 annually per person or partnership. The two mares Davis purchased in 2022 were also supported by the MPP.
“(The MPP) has been instrumental,” said Davis. “The first year I would have started with one mare, and then went to two. Each year you try and get an economy of scale, but it just sets you back because it's the same leg work, and the same expenses but no efficiencies.”
The program allowed Davis to target quality by stepping up to the price point where he and Farrell could purchase mares by proven broodmare sires. Tiptoe is by Tiz Wonderful the broodmare sire of 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Wonder Wheel and Turning Point is by Hard Spun. In 2021, he brought home Johansson by Pioneer of the Nile and Renata by Medaglia d'Oro.
In addition to his burgeoning band of broodmares, Davis has dipped his toes into racehorse ownership. He connected with Sovereign Award-winning trainer Catherine Day Phillips and is a partner in three horses. One of them, an Ontario Bred filly named Millie Girl, made her racing debut July 16, and won at Woodbine. The Davis family, Colin, his wife, and their two daughters Josephine and Felicity, made their way to the winner's circle.
“It's a different world, with a lot to learn once you get into it,” said Davis. “But if you can bridge that gap, it will help people get in the door, because once you're through that door, it is a lot of fun.”
For more information on Ontario Racing's Mare Purchase Program click here. To learn how you can become a Thoroughbred breeder, click here.
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