Sams Signs Ticket on $1.25M Tapit Filly

A daughter of Gainesway stallion Tapit  out of grade 1 winner Embellish the Lace was picked up by Claiborne Farm on behalf of one of the iconic nursery's clients for $1.25 million Sept. 13 during the first session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

Claiborne Farm's Bernie Sams signed the winning ticket on Hip 149. The final price was the highest paid for any yearling Sunday. 

"I (bought her for a) Claiborne client," Sams said. "He's bought a couple mares and he bought a nice yearling filly last year. He's trying to buy a couple more fillies and build a broodmare band over the next few years, and we will see where we go. He wanted a Tapit filly, so there we go." 

Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, the filly was bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club International. The winner of three of six starts, including the Alabama Stakes (G1), Embellish the Lace is a daughter of Super Saver  and is a half sister to Travers Stakes (G1) winner and sire Afleet Express and to multiple stakes winner and multiple grade 2-placed Reporting for Duty. The filly's extended female family also includes grade 1-placed Eye of the Tiger and Gazelle Stakes (G2) winner My Miss Sophia, who finished second in the 2014 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). 

"She's a pretty filly and very athletic," Sams said. "It's a nice family and she's out of a young mare that could run. It's a good cross. We had hoped she would be cheaper, but the market seems like it's pretty good. There are plenty of people here, so I think it's all right. For the good ones, it's going to be expensive, so it's probably just like any other year, just might not be quite as strong." 

Consignor Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales said the price was within the range of her expectations, but she had some trepidation about whether the market would prove her to be correct. 

"It's a strange year, 2020, and this was the first horse we were bringing to the ring in Book 1," Levy said. "So while we expected that she could be in that range, you just never know. It seemed like all the right people were on her. She's been nothing but a queen, and she put all the pieces together. The market is increasingly physically demanding, and there were just no holes. She had the page and the physical. She was vetted about 14 times, and it seemed like everyone showed up, so fair value."