The rewards of a dedicated and selective approach to sourcing premier broodmare prospects was franked overnight when an exceptional War Front x Iotapa colt rocked Keeneland’s famed sales ring in Kentucky, America overnight.Bidding on the strapping first yearling out of the champion mare Iotapa quickly raced beyond a million US dollars after opening at USD500,000 before carrying on to its final sales price of USD1,900,000. The sale is the second million dollar yearling generated by the China Horse Club’s breeding programme since its inception and follows on from meaningful results this season across Australia, the United States and France that include:
- AUD850,000 (Frankel x Lovetorn yearling colt);
- USD650,000 (Tapit x Last Full Measure yearling filly);
- AUD700,000 (O’Reilly x Better Alternative yearling filly);
- AUD510,000 (Zoustar x Rossarita weanling colt);
- AUD270,000 (Brazen Beau x Calvados weanling colt);
- €140,000 (Australia x Ultra Appeal yearling colt)
“When we bought Iotapa at Keeneland in 2014 this is the kind of result we had been hoping for,” said Michael Wallace, Director of Bloodstock and Racing at the China Horse Club.
“[The War Front x Iotapa colt] is a fantastic individual and the final price reflected that. He was among the most wanted yearlings of the day and of the entire sale.”
The winning bidder was the highly respected Donato Lanni who has purchased 21 individual G1 winners and who regularly buys from clients from across the United States as well as for international syndicates. Post sale Lanni told awaiting media that he was not surprised by the final price for the colt who was an elite individual.
“He’s a lovely colt. All year, that’s what (those kind of colt’s) cost,” Lanni said.
“He just looked like a good horse. He looks like a really athletic horse, a strong horse. We wanted him and we got him.”
The War Front x Iotapa colt was among the highlights of Book One of Keeneland’s famed September Yearling Sale with a total of eight yearlings eclipsing the million-dollar mark in sales. The Iotapa colt was the fourth highest priced yearling on the opening day of trading and the highest priced yearling by champion sire War Front – a result that did not surprise his consignors Taylor Made Farm who sold the yearling on behalf of breeders’ China Horse Club.
“We thought (the colt) would bring in that range. We thought he was a million-plus colt,” said Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Sales.
“He’s just a gorgeous horse. He reminds me a lot of Dayjur. He really resembled that horse a lot. He has a great walk, vetted well, and everyone just loved him.”
The China Horse Club, in partnership with Maverick Racing, also secured an athletic colt by the late sire Scat Daddy out of proven producers Revel in the Win. Scat Daddy’s progeny have been among the most sought after in the world since his premature passing, fuelled by the achievements of the likes of the outstanding Caravaggio and Lady Aurelia. The bay colt is a half-brother to the graded stakes winner Poker Player and a half-brother to the stakes placed Coleman Rocky.
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