If you're planning to join the Thoroughbred racing industry and want to see immediate success, purchasing a full brother to a member of the Hall of Fame is not a bad way to start.
That was the case for Epic Horses Sept. 9, when they went to $1.35 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale to buy Hip 112, a full brother to the sensational Rachel Alexandra.
"(Epic Horses) loved him from the get-go," said Town and Country Farm CEO Shannon Potter, who was acting as a consultant for the new ownership group. "That pedigree and that family, he checked all the boxes for us, a really good mover."
Potter did not unveil the identity of his new clients from Las Vegas, but said they are looking to increase their participation in the Thoroughbred industry. Potter met them on the baseball field while coaching his son's travel team.
"They're new and excited about the game, the business, and the industry," Potter said. "This is the first time that they've stepped into Thoroughbred racing."
Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, the son of Medaglia d'Oro and Lotta Kim was the second purchase made by the group and the first at public auction. They would later tack on Hip 149, an Into Mischief filly consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, for $350,000. Potter said that for now they just plan to pick up a couple of yearlings.
"As (my client) likes to say, 'I'm not diving in, I'm just wading,' " Potter said.
The bay colt is the 11th foal out of Lotta Kim, eight of which have raced. Rachel Alexandra defeated the boys in grade 1 competition on three occasions as a 3-year-old, including in the 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1) and against older males in the Woodward Stakes (G1). She was named 2009 Horse of the Year and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
In addition to Rachel Alexandra, Lotta Kim is the dam of multiple graded-placed Gladys (Medaglia d'Oro), grade 3-placed Dolphus (Lookin At Lucky), and stakes-placed Wooderson (Awesome Again).
"It is probably the last foal out of her we will ever sell," said Dede McGehee of breeder Heaven Trees Farm. McGehee had received Lotta Kim from her friend and client Dolphus Morrison when he was dispersing his horses before his death in 2016.
"It's extra special because the mare Lotta Kim was owned by my favorite client of all time (Morrison)."
Asked on the comparison between the colt and Rachel Alexandra, Potter said, "His head, his look is right on with what she looked like. Very good temperament. ... Hopefully, he can muster up some of her magic on the racetrack."
Rachel Alexandra's brother will likely receive his race preparations from another Hall of Famer, Todd Pletcher. Potter said the owners will race as Epic Racing.
Rachel Alexandra's Granddaughter Sells to Japan for $1.05 million
The colt was not the only member of the family to go under the hammer in the Keeneland sales ring Monday. Rachel Alexandra's granddaughter, Hip 175, sold for $1.05 million.
By Quality Road , the bay filly is the fifth foal out of Rachel's Valentina, the grade 1-winning daughter of Bernardini and Rachel Alexandra.
Consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield as an agent for breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the filly was purchased by North Hills' Hiroshi Fukuda.
"She's a gorgeous filly, perfect for me," Fukuda said.
Fukuda said he paid a little more than he was hoping for the filly, but was happy to take her home to Japan, where he believes she will fit well.
