Son of Ghostzapper Fulfills Hopes for Davies

Consignor Julie Davies was all smiles in the Ocala Breeders' Sales pavilion April 25 when Donato Lanni, working as agent for Stetson Racing, went to $600,000 for her Ghostzapper  colt consigned as Hip 789 to the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. 

"You go in hoping this could happen," Davies said. "I knew he could possibly bring that money, but did I expect it to go that high? No, I didn't. It's amazing." 

Bred in Kentucky by Brent Douglas Wilson and Douglas Wilson, the colt was produced by Underwater, a French group 2 stakes-placed daughter of Theatrical. The mare has already produced group 3-placed Investissement and stakes-placed No Joy and is also the granddam of group 3 winner Soleil Marin.

Purchased by Brian Graves, director of public sales for Gainesway, on behalf of Clear Ridge Stables for $110,000 from St George Sales as a short yearling at the 2018 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, the colt first caught the eye of Davies at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Although she did not bid on the striking bay, the colt was eventually bought back on a final bid of $80,000. 

"He RNA'd, and I approached them and asked if I could train him," Davies said. "I had shortlisted him—that's how I saw him. I worked for Gainesway at a couple sales and met Brian that way. I just really liked the horse when I saw him, so I said, 'Well, there's no harm in asking.' They let me buy a leg."

During the breeze show, the colt worked an impressive eighth-mile in :09 4/5. 

"He's never done anything wrong," Davies said. "He's been an absolute perfect horse to train. This the first horse I've had for Gainesway. It's very nice of them to send him to me, from everybody they could have picked." 

Stetson Racing also made a purchase during Wednesday's session, when they took home a Jimmy Creed filly consigned as Hip 595. Obtained for $130,000, she was consigned by Niall Brennan Stables and was bred in California out of the Ghostzapper mare Seeking the Ghost.