Floyd, Givens Offer a Timely Update at The July Sale

When the Twirling Candy  filly consigned as Hip 281 is led into the sale ring July 9 at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearlings sale, consignor Morris Floyd is hoping buyers are aware of a recent development within the first dam.

Although it doesn't show on the catalog page, the filly's half sister Shippy broke her maiden by 10 3/4 lengths in her June 14 career debut at Laurel Park, getting five furlongs on dirt in :56.83. Subsequently transferred to trainer Doug O'Neill for owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, and Joseph Besecker, the Midshipman  filly is among the top contenders in the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) on the July 11 opening day card at Saratoga Race Course.

Shippy is the first foal out of the Speightstown  mare Lead Me Not, a $98,210-earner who is a half sister to stakes-placed Touch of Splendor and Triumphantly, the dam of grade 3 winner Trouble Kid.

"She has the fastest time for a 2-year-old in the U.S. this year," said Floyd, who bred both Shippy and the yearling half sister in partnership with Chuck Givens. "(Hip 281) is also by Twirling Candy, who is the hottest sire in the country. We're going in hoping for the best."

Shippy was purchased by SGV Thoroughbreds for $40,000 at The July Sale a year ago, then bought by Besecker for $77,000 from SGV's offerings at this year's Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

The Twirling Candy filly is one of three yearlings offered by Floyd and Givens at Fasig-Tipton. Hip 264 is a Will Take Charge  colt bred by Floyd and David Alban that is a half brother to grade 2 winner R Free Roll, and Hip 10, bred by Floyd and Gary Layman, is a Dialed In  half sister to stakes winner Delphinia. When consigned by Floyd and Givens to The July Sale in 2015, Delphinia sold for $250,000.

Breeding and raising Thoroughbreds is not the day job for either Floyd or Givens, but the partners have had success with small consignments at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland.

Floyd is an attorney in Richmond, Ky., specializing in tax land estate law, with some equine law. His equine interest came naturally through his father, who established Fairway Farm near Paris, Ky.

"I'm an attorney but horses are my number one passion," Floyd said. "My dad started the farm in 1951, and I took over after he died in 1999. He didn't go for quantity, he went for quality and that's what I've tried to do. We have been fortunate that horses we have bred won the Alcibiades twice, as well as the Arlington Classic and Breeders' Futurity. I have nine mares now and breed with different partners."

Givens and his wife Laurii are also from Richmond and are veteran Quarter Horse breeders involved in competitive barrel racing and pole bending, winning numerous titles in both endeavors. Lauri Givens is overseeing the partners' Fasig-Tipton consignment.