Dede McGehee

The breeding community lost a friend and asset last week. Annette Covault died Friday, Dec. 13, from complications of ill health that she had dealt with for several years. As the booking secretary for Claiborne Farm first and then Gainesway Farm over several decades, Covault, known to her familiars as "Netto," provided common sense and good humor to breeders and farm managers working through the prickly process of getting mares booked to stallions in a timely manner. The stallion veterinarian at Gainesway from 2008 to 2019, Rocky Mason, DVM, noted...

A full-brother to Horse of the Year and champion sophomore filly Rachel Alexandra (Medalia d'Oro)  realized a $1.35 million final bid from Epic Horses on Day 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consigned the Feb. 23 foal. Bred by Dede McGehee, Hip 112 is out of Lotta Kim (Roar), also responsible for GSP Dolphus and Gladys. Rachel Alexandra is also the dam of Grade I winner Rachel Valentina (Bernardini).  

2nd-Presque Isle Downs, $30,500, Msw, 6-17, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f (AWT), :52.72, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. WILLOW OAK (f, 2, War of Will--Joyful Cat, by Kitten's Joy) was bet nearly in half from her 8-1 morning line off a promising worktab over the Turfway Tapeta and came away late to become the first winner for her Classic-winning freshman sire (by War Front). Under a hustling ride from Adam Beschizza from gate five, the Dede McGehee homebred was a midpack fifth into the turn, was roused right-handed while progressing leaving the...

Three years ago, Mick Ruis purchased the 330-acre former Woodford Thoroughbreds outside Lexington and revamped his entire broodmare band with the sole focus on supporting his recently retired multiple Grade I winner Bolt d'Oro. With the stallion's first yearlings hitting the sales ring this summer to wide appeal, the decision is paying off in spades. Ruis was rewarded by two yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and will offer a filly by Bolt d'Oro during the first session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Monday. "I would say 100% of...

Shortly after selling an $800,000 Quality Road colt (hip 114), Larry Best's OXO Equine put those funds to good use, landing a Bolt d'Oro half-brother to none other than Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra for $1.4 million. The colt's MGISW sire is by Medaglia d'Oro--just like Rachel. The Mar. 2 foal was consigned to the sale by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency as hip 132 on behalf of Dr. Dede McGehee's Heaven Trees Farm.

6th-Delaware, $38,125, Msw, 6-21, 2yo, f, 5f, :59.81, ft, 1/2 length. GORMAN (f, 2, American Freedom--How Nice, by Include), in the mix early, was shuffled back to near the back of a compact field while racing four wide. She rolled up five wide off the turn and closed resolutely to score by a half-length and become the third winner for her freshman sire (by Pulpit). R B's Star (Kantharos) was second, a neck in front of Seduce (Into Mischief) and it was another nose back to favored Buy the Best...

Wooderson (Awesome Again--Lotta Kim, by Roar), a half-brother to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), will enter stud at Burdette Thoroughbred Farm in Arkansas in 2021. The deal was brokered by Chad Schumer of Schumer Bloodstock. Bred by Dede McGehee's Heaven Trees Farm, Wooderson was a $400,000 purchase out of the 2016 Keeneland September Sale, the co-highest priced yearling for his sire in 2016. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Let's Go Stable, the bay was a three-time winner from 10 starts, including a runner-up effort to future MGISW...