Fletcher Nabs Lone Curlin Colt for $525,000

As a resident of North Little Rock, Ark., Frank Fletcher dreams of winning the Arkansas Derby (G1) at his hometown track of Oaklawn Park.

Fletcher, whose horses all have "rocket" somewhere in their name, fondly recalls the 2007 renewal dominated by Stonestreet Farm's Curlin .

"They brought Curlin in and I said 'we're not going to win'," said Fletcher, whose stable's best finish in the Arkansas Derby was third with Son of Rocket in 2001. "He was a big strapping horse and he walked away with the Derby."

The memory 12 years ago was still fresh in Fletcher's mind during the April 24 second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, when the owner went to $525,000 to secure the only colt by the Hill 'n' Dale Farm's sire in the sale (after withdrawals). The chestnut colt was consigned as Hip 332 by Niall Brennan Stables, agent.

Bred in Ontario by Josham Farms out of the graded stakes-placed Stormy Atlantic  mare Mekong Delta, a half sister to Canadian champion Leonnatus Anteas, the colt breezed an eighth-mile in :10 2/5 during the under tack show.

Fletcher, who was assisted by agent Donato Lanni in his purchase, said he spent a lot of time observing the colt leading up to the sale and was impressed with his demeanor.

"We looked at him a lot and he was very calm," Fletcher said. "We look for what their minds are like as much as their ability and when they're calm here, they'll be calm when you put them in the gate. If they're crazy here, by the time they get ready to race, no matter how much ability they have, they become very crazy."

The Curlin colt represented a home run for Josham Farm, the Ontario, Canada, farm owned by Ted Burnett.

Running a commercial operation that generally sells the foals from its 25-strong broodmare band as weanlings, Burnett gave the Curlin colt time to develop, with a plan to market him as a 2-year-old.

"He was late-maturing so we felt the best place was in a 2-year-old sale," Burnett said, noting that not unlike a lot of breeders, Josham races those that don't meet their reserves at auction. "He still has lot of potential to develop because his whole family were late bloomers."

Burnett and Josham Farm manager Yvonne Schwab said the farm has a working relationship with Brennan when they want to sell 2-year-olds.

"He's all about what's best for the horse," Schwab said.