John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock got its third seven-figure yearling at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, going to $1.2 million for a Ghostzapper filly (Hip 147) consigned by Gainesway during the Aug. 6 second session.
Payson Stud bred the filly out of the Arch winner Seeking the Blue, who has already produced graded stakes-placed winner Janis Joplin (California Chrome ) and stakes-placed winner Vino Rouge (Vino Rosso ) from three foals to race.
Stewart hasn't hesitated to dive right into buying at his first Saratoga sale, spending $5,425,000 for five yearlings during the first session.
Known for his speed running both short and long, Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) earned $3.4 million mainly on the strength of wins in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Classic, 2005 Metropolitan Handicap, 2004 Woodward Stakes, and 2003 Vosburgh Stakes (all G1). He stood the 2024 breeding season at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Kentucky for $75,000.
Stewart has built up a prodigious racing stable in less than a year, procuring more than 150 horses since last fall. He came into the sale saying that there were half a dozen horses that he would "definitely be taking home," and this Ghostzapper filly was one of them.
"I wanted this horse 100%," he said. "I went back to see her today and I told Brian (Graves, Gainesway's general manager) that she was going home with me.
"Especially when (Mike) Repole bid, I was going to keep going. The moment he bid, I jumped the bid by $200,000. I wanted the horse, and she is one of two horses I came here tonight to buy."
Repole and Stewart have established a rivalry online, and apparently in the sales ring, since Stewart became involved in racing. Earlier this week, Repole quipped that his goal at this sale was to be the underbidder on all of Stewart's purchases.
Even Stewart, though, has been taken aback at the prices at this sale.
"I bid up a filly yesterday to $1.7 million, and I had two more bidders. I was like, 'What the hell is going on?' "
Despite his short tenure as an owner, Stewart's plan is to build a breeding operation and develop families.
"We really like Ghostzapper and how he matches up with our breeding program," he said. "She fits right into that. We got Goodnight Olive (also by Ghostzapper) in foal with a Not This Time colt, which is really exciting after what Not This Time has done here. It's helping us build the families. And then from a racing standpoint, we think there is some speed in that horse and has a good physical. We've already got some trainers lined up for her. So we are pretty excited."
Resolute Bloodstock purchased five other yearlings Tuesday night: Hip 175 (Twirling Candy colt, $800,000), Hip 199 (Into Mischief colt, $700,000), Hip 178 (Omaha Beach filly, $500,000), Hip 223 (Curlin colt, $260,000), and Hip 180 (Authentic colt, $200,000).
In his two-day buying spree at Saratoga, Stewart's purchases grossed $9,085,000.
