At the end of the third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Monique Delk, on behalf of Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable, went to $925,000 to secure a speedy daughter of Liam's Map .
Hip 915 breezed a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 during the under-tack show for consignor Tom McCrocklin, who purchased the filly as a yearling for $120,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale.
The Violas campaigned 2015 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Liam's Map under Teresa Viola Racing Stables in partnership with West Point Thoroughbreds.
"We're big fans of Liam's Map, for obvious reasons," Delk said. "We always look at the babies and like to support the sire."
St. Elias, along with Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable, campaign Liam's Map's lifetime leading earner, multiple grade 1 winner, Deterministic. In conjunction with Starlight Racing, St. Elias Stable is also the owner of the stallion's Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Fulleffort. The Brad Cox-trained colt who won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) currently sits fifth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 110 points.
"This filly is big, beautiful body, looks more like a colt to me. A lot of substance to her. She breezed lights out. There wasn't much not to like."
Delk said plans for a trainer have not yet been determined.
Commenting on the market at the OBS Spring sale, Delk said it has been very competitive, leading to them being outrun on a number of potential purchases.
"We try to stay very disciplined. We have a lot of horses; it's not like we're in need, but if there's something that we love, we're usually in the mix."
Hip 915 was bred in Kentucky by Jim and Susan Hill. She is the second foal of the Honor Code mare Honor Hop.
McCrocklin was rewarded heavily for his pinhooks on Day 3 of the OBS Spring sale, having sold Hip 694, a filly by Ghostzapper who breezed a quarter-mile in :21 to Fergus Galvin, agent, for $750,000; and Hip 851, a filly by Oscar Performance , who tied for the co-fastest quarter-mile of the under-tack show in :20 2/5, to Dermot Farrington for $675,000. McCrocklin purchased the fillies for $100,000 and $125,000, respectively.
