By Christie DeBernardis
The Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November sales are known as places to shop for some of the best racemares in the country as they conclude their careers on the track and transition into motherhood. However, the other prize offerings at both auctions are the mothers of some of the country's most talented runners. Many breeders have shifted focus towards these proven producers in hopes that if they did it once, they can do it again, like three-time Grade I producer Leslie's Lady or Littleprincessemma, who has produced a Triple Crown winner and Grade I heroine.
The following list highlights mares on offer at either Fasig-Tipton's Night of the Stars or Keeneland November Book 1 whose offspring have captured a Grade I event in either 2019 or 2020.
Fasig-Tipton November Sale
- MELODY LADY (Unbridled's Song) – Hip 183
Stakes winner Melody Lady proved she could produce from the start as her first foal Buy Sell Hold (Violence) was a stakes winner at two and graded stakes-placed at three. Her second foal Volatile (Violence) was even more talented than his older sister, capturing this year's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. at Saratoga this season. A hairline fracture forced the $850,000 KEESEP buy to miss the Breeders' Cup and retire to Three Chimneys a bit early. A daughter of MGISW and millionaire Lady Tak (Mutakddim), Melody Lady is part of the Hill 'n' Dale consignment and is offered in foal to either Kantharos or Violence.
- PARIS BIKINI (Bernardini) – Hip 196
Paris Bikini had a very brief career on the racetrack, but her first foal Paris Lights (Curlin) has proven quite talented, winning the GI CCA Oaks this summer at Saratoga. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the half-sister to GSW & MGISP America (A.P. Indy) is in foal to Uncle Mo.
- SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect) – Hip 207
GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf victress Shared Account is one of the few Breeders' Cup winners to produce another Breeders' Cup winner. Her daughter Sharing (Speightstown) captured the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last term. She is also responsible for stakes winner Riley's Choice (Distorted Humor). Part of the Sam-Son dispersal, Shared Account is carrying a full-sibling to Sharing, who won the GII Edgewood S. in September.
Keeneland November Book 1
- GREER LYNN (Speightstown) – Hip 20
Greer Lynn has already produced an exceptionally talented filly in Grade I-winning millionaire Mia Mischief (Into Mischief), who summoned $2.4-million from Stonestreet Stables at last year's FTKNOV sale. Greer Lynn also went through the ring at Fasig's “Night of the Stars” last term, bringing $700,000 from SF Bloodstock while carrying a foal by War Front, who later died. A half-sister to graded winners Sing Baby Sing (Unbridled's Song) and Roll Hennessy Roll (Hennessy), Greer Lynn will be consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock and is in foal to Medaglia d'Oro.
MGSW Hightap had her top achievement as a broodmare this summer when her son Halladay (War Front) captured the GI Fourstardave H. He is set to make his next start in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile just two days before his dam goes through the ring carrying a foal by Arrogate. Thanks to Halladay, she may prove to be quite a shrewd purchase for Hidden Brook, which picked up the mare for just $85,000 at last year's KEENOV sale, carrying a filly by Union Rags.
- INDIAN MISS (Indian Charlie) – Hip 32
Indian Miss earned her stripes a broodmare early on in her career. Her second foal was champion and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Mitole (Eskendereya). The half-sister to GSW Live Lively (Medaglia d'Oro) was purchased by WinStar for $240,000 in foal to Into Mischief at the 2018 KEENOV sale and the resulting foal brought $525,000 from OXO Equine at the recent KEESEP sale. The bay will be consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Monday and is back in foal to leading sire Into Mischief.
- ITSAGIANTCAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway) – Hip 36
Itsagiantcauseway made less than $80,000 on the track and RNA'd for $17,000 in her last trip through the KEENOV ring back in 2015, carrying a foal by Mucho Macho Man. The resulting colt, Mucho Gusto, proved much more popular in the sales ring as a 2-year-old, bringing $625,000 from Michael Lund Petersen at EASMAY. He won a quartet of graded events and placed in several Grade Is while carrying Petersen's silks and was sold privately at the end of last year. The chestnut captured the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational in his first start for his new owner in January. Taylor Made consigns Itsagiantcauseway, who is in foal to Medaglia d'Oro.
- TIZAHIT (Tiznow) – Hip 151
Tizahit proved to be a hit as a broodmare with her second foal, the speedy Come Dancing (Malibu Moon). A six-time graded winner, the bay captured the GI Ballerina S. last term and is headed to the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint off a win in the GII Honorable Miss H. in September. Becky Thomas purchased Tizahit for $175,000 in foal to Connect at the 2018 KEENOV sale and relocated her to Sequel New York. The mare RNA'd for $475,000 at FTKNOV last year in foal to Bolt d'Oro, but is offered carrying a foal by red hot Constitution this time around.
- YAWKEY WAY (Grand Slam) – Hip 172
A stakes winner at Saratoga, Yakwey Way's first foal Tap It All (Tapizar) was also a stakes winner. Her third foal Spun to Run (Hard Spun) ran the field off their feet in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and was second to champion Maximum Security (New Year's Day) in the GI Cigar Mile. He is set to stand stud at Gainesway next season. Purchased by Sabana Farm for $200,000 at the 2015 KEENOV sale in foal to Violence, Yawkey Way will be offered by Taylor Made carrying a full-sibling to Spun to Run.
- EXPO GOLD (Johannesburg) – Hip 243
Expo Gold is responsible for the top 3-year-old filly this year, Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil). A decisive winner of the GII Santa Anita Oaks and GI Alabama S., the chestnut was second in the GI Kentucky Oaks, but beat GI Kentucky Derby hero Authentic (Into Mischief) next out in the Oct. 3 GI Preakness S. Picked up by Blue Chip Thoroughbreds for just $15,000 carrying a colt by Danzing Candy at the 2019 CTBAJA sale, Expo Gold will be consigned by Taylor Made in foal to new stallion Catholic Boy.
- UNICORN GIRL (A.P. Five Hundred) – Hip 244C
Unicorn Girl is responsible for undefeated MGISW and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile favorite Jackie's Warrior (Macleans Music). Victorious in both the GI Runhappy Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S., the chestnut is already favored to take home champion 2-year-old male, but would be the overwhelming choice with a win at Keeneland Friday. Originally entered in the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Unicorn Girl and her weanling colt by American Pharoah (Hip 244B) were supplemented to Keeneland November. Consigned by Beau Lane Bloodstock, Unicorn Girl is offered in foal to top sire Into Mischief.
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