Courtlandt Goes to $1.1M for Uncle Mo Filly
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Photo: Keeneland Photo
The Uncle Mo filly consigned as Hip 89 at the Keeneland September Sale
Courtlandt Farm won out on a bidding war Sept. 13 for a standout filly by Uncle Mo consigned as Hip 89 on the first day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, but they had to stretch to get her as the hammer fell at $1.1 million.
"She is a little high behind; still needs to develop, but she's an athletic, typey filly—she fits our program to a T," said Ernie Retamoza, farm manager for Courtlandt Farm. "We aren't sure who we will send her to; we will get her home to break her."
Monday's market proved firm for the top horses, with competitive action as buyers went all-in to secure racehorses for their operations.
"(We're) excited about her, we had to stretch to get her," Retamoza said. "Mr. (Don) Adams looked at her this morning—we all loved her, and she checked all the boxes.
"The market is strong; watching them, it seems like there is a lot of money here for the good ones."
Bred in Kentucky by Aaron Sones out of the Forestry mare Nikki's Choice, the filly was consigned by Paramount Sales.
(L-R): Don Adams signs the ticket for Hip 89 as Ernie Retamoza is congratulated by Pat Costello, as Mike Cline is on phone at Keeneland
Nikki's Choice has a Mizzen Mast 2-year-old filly, named Sea Sprite, that has yet to start, and an Uncle Mo colt by her side. The filly hails from the family of Au Printemps, dam of 1987 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes (G1) winner Success Express , Charlie Barley —champion grass horse in Canada and multiple grade 3 winner on the dirt and turf, and Greenwood Lake , winner of the Champagne Stakes (G1) and Remsen Stakes (G2) in 1999.
The Speightstown colt consigned as Hip 17 in the ring at the Keeneland September Sale
Courtland Farm went in early to purchase Hip 17, a Speightstown colt out of the Unusual Heat mare Jax El, for $575,000. The colt is a half brother to Dr. Dorr , by Lookin At Lucky , who won the 2018 Californian Stakes (G2). Bred by M. Auerbach and Speightstown Syndicate in Kentucky, he was consigned by Valkyre Stud, agent.
"Loved him, had to stretch on him too; it's going to be that way for the good ones," Retamoza said. "He reminded me of Strike Power , who was successful for us. We are thrilled to get him."