Owners Lay Groundwork for Tapwrit at Stud

When Tapwrit , the 2017 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner, enters stud at Gainesway Farm next year, he will have the benefit of a group of mares handpicked by his prominent ownership group.

During the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, a select group of mares has been purchased under the name Gainesway/Bridlewood/Tapwrit for the express purpose of supporting the stallion in his first season.

Represented at Keeneland by Gainesway's Neil Howard and Michael Hernon and Bridlewood's George Isaacs, the partnership had purchased 17 mares for $1,437,000 midway through the Nov. 10 sixth session. The most expensive mare bought by the group was Pocket of Aces (Hip 938), a daughter of Harlan's Holiday acquired from ELiTE for $160,000.

Hernon said the strategy, with some 40 mares as the goal, is part of a commitment from Bridlewood's John Malone, Gainesway's Antony Beck, and prominent horse owner-breeder Mandy Pope, who is part of the Tapwrit ownership group.

"We just want to get the horse off to the best possible start, so he's getting a ton of support from some key individuals," Hernon said. "The Keeneland buying effort is just to put a group of quality mares under the stallion in order to maximize his initial success at stud."

"He is the first grade 1 winner that we (Bridlewood) were partners in and had a lot of fun with," Isaacs said. "He has a great pedigree. We are trying to show we believe in our product and are more than happy to support him."

A $1.2 million yearling purchase by Bridlewood, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta from Denali Stud's consignment to the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Tapwrit is out of 2006 Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner and multiple graded stakes producer Appealing Zophie, who is also the dam of 2018 Del Mar Derby (G2T) winner Ride a Comet.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Tapwrit was a stakes winner at 2, then set a stakes record in the 1 1/16-mile Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2), when he won by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:42.36. He then followed a troubled sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with a two-length score in the Belmont.

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Tapwrit enters stud next year alongside his sire, three-time leading sire Tapit , for a $12,500 fee.

In selecting mares that match up best with Tapwrit, the buyers are looking for speedy, young fillies and mares.

"He's 16.2 hands—a rangy horse," Hernon said. "We're looking to add a little bit of speed to his pedigree, and we like young fillies and mares that raced with some success and showed precocity."

Hernon said there is a lot of flexibility with the bloodlines of possible Tapwrit mares, since he is a son of Tapit and Gainesway can draw from its successful experiences with Tapizar , who is off to a quick start at stud, with his sophomore daughter Monomoy Girl a divisional leader this year.

"We know what works with Tapit, which is basically everything," Hernon said. "What stands out are the Mr. Propsector- and Storm Cat-line sires. Tapizar has gone to the top of his class. Of course he is the sire of Monomoy Girl, whose dam is by Henny Hughes, so we have seen this cross produce successful runners before."

Hernon said Tapwrit has all the qualities desired by breeders in a stallion, and that the 4-year-old colt bred in Kentucky by My Meadowview has been well received so far.

"Everybody who has seen him at the farm has wanted to jump on the train," Hernon said. "We anticipate he will breed to 175 to 200 mares. He has gained good weight, and I really like his temperament. He has grown into his big frame. He is a knockout physical."