Talla, West Point Team Up for $1.05M Not This Time Colt

The powerful partnership of Talla Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds teamed up Sept. 14 to purchase a Not This Time   colt from St George Sales for $1.05 million to be the early session leader. The Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, signed for by L.E.B. agent, will be West Coast bound to join trainer John Sadler.

"It's a big thrill, and it worked out. As I have said before, it's a big team effort between Roger (O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud), Michelle (St George), and everyone on the farm," Archie St George commented. "Most importantly, I want to thank the buyers David Ingordo, Terry Finley, Mike Talla, and John Sadler; we couldn't do this without them. The horse is very nice and athletic; I hope he goes on and is a runner. He's by a good stallion, and we are fortunate to have a horse like him."

Consigned as Hip 879 to the second day of Book 2, the colt bred in Virginia by Audley Farm was initially sold to Dudley Racing for $375,000 out of Brookdale Sales' consignment at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale last year. The bay is out of the winning Exchange Rate  mare Foreign Affair and half sibling to a 3-year-old filly by Justify   named How Lovely, a winner and Audley Farm homebred.

"He's a beautiful horse, Mike Talla is the lead partner," Finley said. "John Sadler loved him; he got here a day and a half ago, and I think this is the horse he put at the top of his list. We are excited and happy to join forces for a powerful partnership with Mike. We think he's an excellent prospect."

He added: "I thought he was just a dude; he walked around the back ring like he owned it. He had that presence about him. When I looked at him, he was like, 'Hey, I'm the man.'"

Foreign Affair is a half sibling to the multiple grade 1 placed, group 3 winner So Perfect , a European grass specialist. At 2, the Scat Daddy filly traveled to the U.S. to contest the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, where she finished third, before hitting the board in three additional group 1 races at 3.

"We got lucky, these yearlings have to vet and all," St George said. "Some years it's good, and sometimes it's not. He's a nice horse, and Not This Time continues to go from stamp to stamp. He was raised at a good farm in Audley Farm, and we are very excited."

The $1.05 million yearling marked the second horse from the Paris, Ky., operation to hit seven figures. The first came Sept. 12 when M.V. Magnier purchased Hip 283 for $1.8 million. The Into Mischief   colt out of grade 2 winner Princess Haya  boasts the grade 1-placed stakes winner Lady Kate , by Bernardini, as his sibling.