Bridlewood purchased a weanling filly by Tapit out of the multiple graded stakes producer Serena’s Cat for $3 million at the Keeneland November sale, one four seven-figure purchases by the farm.
The Kentucky-bred filly is a half-sister to Noble Tune, winner of the American Turf (G2) and Pilgrim S. (G3), and Honor Code, winner of the Remsen S. (G2). The price set a new North American weanling record, breaking the $2.7 million record that Global Equine Management paid at this sale in 2006 for the Montjeu colt Amour Malheuruex.
“Mr. Appleton and Bridlewood at one time owned Serena’s Song, and we owned the dam, Imagining, for years,” Bridlewood farm manager George Isaacs said, referring to Bridlewood founder Arthur I. Appleton, who died in 2008. “We bred all these daughters out of this family, it’s near and dear to my heart. Again, we’re trying to build a stellar breeding program, and, to me, this is a genetic masterpiece. We’re just trying to buy back into a family that’s been so good to us.”
Bridlewood’s other three large purchases were all broodmares. Hip No. 66, Egg Drop was one of two $1.9 million buys. The 5-year-old mare, whose Matriarch S. (G1) win was one of her three graded stakes victories, is in foal to Tapit. Peace Preserver, hip No. 377, brought a similar bid. The 5-year-old daughter of War Front is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Jack Milton and is in foal to Galileo.
Hip No. 177, the Grade 2 winner Renee’s Titan, brought a top bid of $1.1 million. The 4-year-old was mated this year to 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb. A daughter of Bernstein, Renee’s Titan is a half-sister to Schuylerville S. (G3) Fashion Alert.
Fasig-Tipton November sale wrap
Bridlewood also bought two lots at the Fasig-Tipton November sale, led by the $2 million paid for the mare Concinnous. The 10-year-old mare, in foal to Tapit, is the dam of millionaire and multiple Grade 1 winner Iotapa as well as the stakes winner Saintly Joan.
Bridlewood went to $500,000 for a weanling colt by Tapit who is the first foal out of the stakes-winning mare Maple Forest.
