When the dollars stopped flying at the Nov. 7 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November breeding stock sale, which saw gross, average, and median climb well beyond last year’s figures, a mare in foal to leading sire Tapit topped the auction.
Baffled, an 11-year-old Group 3 stakes-placed mare, exited the ring on a final bid of $3.5 million. A partnership between Bridlewood Farm and Don Alberto Corp. bought the dark bay daughter of Distorted Humor whose previous mating to Tapit produced millionaire Constitution, winner of the Florida Derby (G1) and Donn Handicap (G1). She is also the dam of two other graded/group stakes winners Jacaranda and Boynton.
John Malone’s Bridlewood Farm secured another mare in foal to Tapit, spending $950,000 for the hardy Grade 3 winner Flashy American, who earned $778,683 in her five-year career and was consigned by Gainesway.
One of the most high-profiled mares in the sale was Love the Chase, the dam of superstar California Chrome, also in foal to Tapit. Bloodstock agent John McCormack paid $1.95 million for the 10-year-old daughter of Not For Love.
The three mares in foal to Tapit, which grossed $6.4 million, made up 11.8% of the evening’s total proceeds of $54,152,000. They averaged $2,133,333. Average for the sale was $615,364.
Tapit mares proved as popular as mares in foal to Tapit. Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner Cassatt in foal to Curlin sold to Glen Hill Farm for $2.5 million. She is from the family of champion Dreaming of Anna, who produced the excellent Tapit stakes winner Dreamologist.
China Horse Club went to $1.3 million to acquire the Tapit mare Tapas in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. The mare is a half-sister to stakes winner Justwhistledixie, the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen (by Tapit) and Grade 1 winner New Year’s Day.
Bridlewood’s penchant for Tapit continued as the Florida-based breeders snapped up black-type winner Southern Girl, a 3-year-old half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man, for $820,000.
Gem Gem, a Tapit full-sister to Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Careless Jewel in foal to Uncle Mo went to R.J. Bennett on a final bid of $625,000.
The four Tapit mares grossed $5,245,000 and averaged $1,311,250.