Pinhooking Rookie Scores Big at Keeneland

Lexington horsewoman Samantha Menker looks like a pinhooking genius.

In her first foray into Thoroughbred ownership, Menker paid $2,700 for a Gemologist   colt at this year's Keeneland January mixed sale. Consigned to the Keeneland September yearling sale by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency on behalf of Menker, the colt was bought by Crupi's New Castle Farm for $125,000, providing his owner with a huge windfall.

According to BloodHorse MarketWatch data, the colt had the second-highest return on investment among the 281 previously purchased horses sold during the September sale. After deducting the sales company's 5% commission, the colt's net price at Keeneland was $118,750. Subtracting total investment (previous sale price plus upkeep, estimated at $10,000 from time of purchase to being re-sold) left a $106,050 profit, an impressive 835% return on Menker's investment.

Menker, who rides, breaks, and sells barrel horses under the SM Barrel Horses banner, is also a veterinary technician at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington, working with Dr. Michael Hore. Since she attends all the sales as part of her job, Menker said she decided to buy a horse and was aided in her search by Donato Lanni from Hill 'n' Dale and Carrie Brogden who operates Machmer Hall Farm and is a partner in Select Sales.

The colt did not look very good and had some vet issues when consigned to the January sale, leading to the inexpensive price, Menker said, adding the colt was her year-end bonus from Hore.

The colt's value had risen from the time of purchase until he went through the sales ring again, as Levante Lion, the colt's half brother and first foal from the winning Ghostzapper   mare Ghostly Darkness, won a grade III stake in Japan.

Menker said she knew there was quite a bit of interest in the colt because a group of Japanese buyers inspected the colt at her barn before the sale, and while at Keeneland he was vetted three times on behalf of potential buyers.

"We knew we had some action on him but didn't expect him to go for that much," Menker said. "I think I got very lucky. The fact his brother would go on and win a grade III, we never would have imagined."

Menker said she has no plans to rapidly expand her pinhooking venture, but will likely buy one or two horses a year. "I would probably buy another cheap one, not expecting the same result, but looking to make a little," she said.

According to the MarketWatch data, an Uncle Mo filly bought for $30,000 by partners in the Cockaigne Ranch and sold by Four Star Sales for $450,000 had produced the September sale's highest ROI. UNCLE MO FILLY MOST PROFITABLE AT KEENELAND

KEENELAND SEPT. PINHOOK RETURN ON INVESTMENT