Taiba Marks First G1 Winner to Come From Buckland Sales

In only his second start, Zedan Racing Stables' Taiba  captured the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), giving consignor Zach Madden owner of Buckland Sales his first grade 1 winner.

"I was leaving Keeneland and I had to pull off to the side of the road to watch it on my phone … I was flipping out, I was by myself and it was just amazing," Madden said. "I was so proud of the horse, he's so cool."

Madden consigned the colt as a yearling for breeder Bruce Ryan at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. The son of Gun Runner   sold to Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds for $140,000. Out of the Flatter   mare Needmore Flattery, he was pinhooked to the following year at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Gulfstream Park for $1.7M to agent Gary Young.

"We've had grade 2 winners, grade 3 winners, multiple stake winners, and all that other stuff but this just hits a little differently," Madden said. "It's a culmination of a lot of things, my team's work, the people I represent; it makes you see the forest through the trees."

"At the time we were thrilled. He brought $140,000 which is nothing to sniff at but his 2-year-old price was astronomical. He deserved that."

Madden says he remembers the colt as 'straightforward' and 'level-headed,' remaining unfazed throughout the commotion of the sale grounds. 

"He's the type that at the sale nothing ever bothered him; vets coming in to scope the horse or showing out at the sale for three or four days … He's always been special for us and even more so now."

According to Madden, the colt's conformation was yet another positive attribute that helped to contribute to his early success on the track.

"He's just what you think of when you think of an equine athlete. He's well balanced, well made, and he's not too big or too small," Madden said.

Ryan was an existing client of Buckland when he handed the colt to Madden to be sold in 2020. Madden says he appreciates them giving him a shot and is still 'floating on cloud nine.' 

"It's crazy how it all works out, it's good to put that feather in our cap and I don't take it for granted," Madden said. "I know every horse isn't a grade 1 winner but, man, when it happens it's a surreal, insane feeling."

"This is why we're all doing this, chasing that dream, and to have the prospects of a horse that will have a really good shot on the first Saturday in May makes waking up a little bit easier."