A Louisiana-bred filly (Hip 289) by first-crop yearling sire Epicenter sold for $400,000 during the first session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale Oct. 20 in Lexington. Marette Farrell signed the ticket on behalf of Scott Mawaka's Mo Speed Racing.
Bred in Louisiana by the ever-evolving Coteau Grove Farms, the chestnut filly is a half sister to recent Ack Ack Stakes (G3) winner and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) contender Tumbarumba, who is also a graduate of the October Yearlings sale. Trainer Brian Lynch purchased the son of Oscar Performance in 2021 for $30,000. The multiple graded stakes winner has earned $960,020 thus far in his career.
Coteau Grove's adviser Andrew Cary witnessed the growth of Hip 289 firsthand, and said she has been a star since day one.
"Always great size, great presence," Cary said. "She's one of those horses you love when they come to the sale and they just elevate, and they just stand out. Every day, she got better, and just exuded class. She came in the back ring like she owned it. She looks like a stakes filly.
"It's nice when you think that they're great, and then other great judges like Marette agree. We're thrilled that she got her, and she's going to a great home. The mare (Naive Enough) has been a dream. She's carrying a full to Tumbarumba."
Mawaka said he has been working aggressively the last four to five years with Farrell to build both the racing stock and the broodmare side.
"Marette has such a good eye," Mawaka said. "Upon arriving this morning, she asked me to go take a look (at Hip 289). When she came out, she just immediately struck me. Her physical is fantastic, and she's got a great pedigree. When Marette loves a horse, I tend to love a horse.
"Being a Louisiana-bred adds a lot of opportunities for the state-bred racing down there. It's really exciting, and we hope for the best."
Mawaka added that she would head to WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., with no immediate plans picked out for a trainer. He said he has already had inquiries including underbidder Kenny McPeek.
"It's always exciting when you know great horse racing people are looking at the same horses," Mawaka said.
Mo Speed's current roster of trainers include Mike Stidham, David Donk, and Will Walden.
Allaire Ryan of Lane's End, who consigned the Epicenter filly, said they were pleasantly surprised by the filly's price, but knew she would be well received.
"She is such a lovely physical," Ryan said. "She's a big, mature-bodied filly with a lot of presence. I think that's what made Marette and her clients fall in love with her. She did exceed our expectations in the best of ways. The market made her bring what they thought she was worth, and we couldn't be happier."
It was a full-circle moment for Cary, who was quick to credit the whole team at Coteau Grove, including owners Keith and Ginger Myers, farm manager Jacob Cyprian, and his crew.
"They live it and breathe it," Cary said. "They're very passionate about it, and they've given me great opportunities over the years. It's great to see all their efforts rewarded with some of the horses we've produced on the racetrack, and now in the sales ring too.
"This sale has produced great horses. Tumbarumba came out of here. (Graded stakes winner) Margie's Intention came out of here. We always thought she (Hip 289) was special. We weren't sure what she could bring, but the stars aligned today."
