Songbird's Half Sister Sells for $800,000

A Ghostzapper   half sister to champion Songbird was purchased by Tom Haughey's PTK Racing for $800,000 during the Aug. 8 first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She was consigned as Hip 61 by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency.

"She looked the part and we're happy with price," said Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura. "She sold well and was purchased well, and we hope she's a graded stakes winner for her new owner."

Virginia-based Haughey said the filly would be sent to South Carolina to prepare for racing and would go to trainer Dane Kobiskie, who attended the sale with him.

"She was great-looking and well bred, and she's a half to Songbird," Haughey said, adding he was prepared to go to $1.5 million if necessary. "My daughter and my trainer and I all looked at her and we all loved her."

Songbird sold for $400,000 at the 2014 edition of this sale.

Haughey said PTK, which earlier in the session bought Hip 9, a Speightstown   filly, for $275,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment, has 164 horses. They closed out their bidding with Hip 121, a $100,000 daughter of Awesome Again   consigned by Darby Dan.

Kobiskie said PTK has expanded its buying plan from claiming horses to the auction ring.

"I've trained horses for them for seven years now," he said. "Two years ago, we transitioned gears from the claiming game to buying young horses, and that's what we're trying to do now. We're trying to get the good horses. You've got to spend the money to get the good horses."

Of the half sister to Songbird, Kobiskie said, "Her physique was amazing. Obviously, you've got the residual value of the breeding behind her. She's worth every bit of that. She looks like a runner, as well, so how could you go wrong?"

"She'll go to South Carolina right now to get broke by Jason McCutchen at (McCutchen Training Center). She'll go to the farm in South Carolina for a few months, get broke this winter, take our time, let her grow up, and she'll come back late next year.

Both undefeated Songbird—who carried her streak to nine straight wins with a July 24 victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course July 24—and the yearling filly were bred in Kentucky by John Antonelli. They were produced from the West Acre mare Ivanavinalot, a homebred for Gilbert Campbell who won six of 18 starts, including the grade II Bonnie Miss Stakes, and earned $647,300.

Champion Florida-bred 2-year-old filly of 2002, Ivanavinalot is also granddam of a grade III stakes winner, and her extended female family includes bluebloods such as Flower Bowl, her sons His Majesty and Graustark as well as her outstanding filly Bowl of Flowers.

Claire Novak contributed to this article.