China Horse Club Mares Will Support US Wing

Jumping heavily into both the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November sales, the China Horse Club has spent more than $9 million in a matter of days on mares to support its interests in U.S. stallions.

China Horse Club bought five mares at Fasig-Tipton's November sale $5,520,000. For $2.4 million it purchased Embellish the Lace, a Super Saver   mare out of Expanse who won the 2015 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course; and Tapas, a Tapit   filly out of General Jeanne, for $1.3 million.

In the first two days of Keeneland November breeding stock sale, China Horse Club landed for $1.3 million She's Not Here, a grade I-winning Street Cry mare from the same family as Zenyatta, among eight fillies and mares purchased for $3,625,000.

The purchases included mares by 12 different sires, with Tapit being the one repeat sire. Among the other sires of mares purchased were Uncle Mo  , War Front  , Unbridled's Song, and Pivotal. 

Eden Harrington, vice president and head of partnerships and membership for the CHC, said all of the fillies and mares will become part of an expansive breeding program in the United States.

"These mares have been purchased to help support our growing interests, which include breeding interests in Exaggerator  , Flintshire  , Daredevil  , and others, and to grow a quality broodmare band that includes grade I winners Iotapa and Last Full Measure as well as Cozze Up Lady, Bajan, and Flattermewithroses," he said.

"We have recently begun partnerships with Hill 'n' Dale with Flintshire and with Taylor Made Farm and Perry Martin with California Chrome   and these are world-class operations and world-class stallion prospects that we are very excited to be involved with," Harrington said.

No specific breeding decisions have been made for any of the mares, he said, adding, "We are very aware of the elite band of sires Kentucky houses."

Harrington said the mares will join CHC stock already at WinStar Farm and the Club is "delighted to be able to support Mr. Troutt, Elliott Walden and the team in this way."

Ultimately, he said, the Club hopes to grow involvement in the breeding and racing industry in the United States while it works separately to build commercial racing in China and elsewhere.

"We hope to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the U.S. industry both as commercial buyers and sellers and, under the banner of the China Horse Club, to introduce new participants to this wonderful industry," Harrington said.

He emphasized China Horse Club's partnerships with American breeding operations, including WinStar, which was a sponsor of this year's CHC race meeting in Ordos, China; and Keeneland's sales operation, which also provided support in Ordos.