THE?SPORT?OF KINGS received an injection of new blood last Friday morning when eight horses bought at the recently held Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) Company in Florida touched down on the tarmac of the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Having formed a credible relationship with the OBS, some members of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC) once again ventured out to the sale and acquired the untried two-year-olds.
Hopefully these imports will make a significant contribution towards the continued growth of local horse racing as they develop. Â
The three American-bred horses went under the saddle yesterday morning, giving railbirds and potential buyers a first-hand look at their workouts.
No sooner had Race 3 – the Santa Fe Handicap on Barbados Fillies Guineas Raceday – been completed than three horses were offered for sale by way of public auction.
First under the gavel was an unnamed chestnut colt by Suave out of Boggs Eyes. He was snapped up by Robert Peirce on behalf of his client Sir Martyn Arbib.
Suave earned over US$1 million in his racing career. He won the 2006 Grade II Washington Park Handicap while his 93 offspring have won 230 races, earning US$5 million.
His dam Boggs Eyes won three races at age three.
Tres Amigos, represented by John Mark Cozier, purchased the second horse, an unnamed bay filly by Sky Mesa out of She’s A Jewel. Sky Mesa won the 2002 Hopeful Stakes, a Grade I event, and horses he sired have won over US$22 million, while her dam won four racess at two and three years old.
Sarava Point, a dark bay colt by Sarava out of Point Lily, was the last to be sold, with Peirce doing the purchasing for PDD Syndicate.
His sire won the 2002 Grade I Belmont Stakes and his foals have produced 64 winners of 151 races, earning just over US$2.5 million.
Others that made the trip here are Summary Decree, a bay colt by In Summation out of Epistola. He is owned by H and M, while the Riazman brothers selected Strikawar, a bay colt by Congrats out of Southern Surge. Â
Not to be left out, racing magnate Sir David Seale, who has enjoyed more success with imported horses than any other local owner, bought three. His Hopefield stable acquired a bay colt by Aragorn out of Mom’s Deputy. Aragorn won the 2006 Grade I Eddie Read Handicap while horses he sired won around US$4.5 million.
Hopefield also Marcus Antonius, a dark bay colt by Roman Ruler out of Sky Mystic. Roman Ruler won the 2005 Grade I Haskell Invitational Handicap and his offspring won over US$16.5 million
Rounding out their purchase is a roan filly by Even The Score out of Majestic Guitar. With the 2004 Grade II California Stakes to his credit, the sire’s offspring have won around US$11.5 million.
