By Alan Carasso
For better than seven decades, the Ceriani family name has been synonymous with the Argentinian Thoroughbred industry. A 17-time leading breeder in the country responsible for upwards of 50 champions, the family's Haras La Quebrada (www.laquebrada.com.ar) have stood some of the most influential stallions in all of South America down the years and, by extension, the farm has developed a broodmare band of the highest quality with the help of many of those sires' daughters. The third generation of Cerianis, Hernan III and his sister Maria Ines, are now at the helm at La Quebrada and have made a decision to dramatically reduce the family's bloodstock holdings to a handful of select mares. All are set to be offered at the La Quebrada dispersal Tuesday and Wednesday at the stud. The sale is being handled by Antonio Bullrich S.A. (www.antoniobullrich.com).
A total of 202 mares, including Group 1 winners and producers, are set to go under the hammer over the course of the next two days. Both sessions will begin with the offering of 'mare pairs' by La Quebrada. As that would imply, two mares will be in the ring simultaneously and bidding will take place as if one. When a winning bidder is identified, that party will have the right to select which of the two mares they wish to own and La Quebrada will retain the other. There are 26 'mare pairs' set to be offered, 13 during each session.
The legendary Southern Halo became a foundational sire at La Quebrada and an important stallion beyond the borders of South America, and his daughter La Margot (Arg) could be one of the stars of the dispersal when she sells Wednesday. A three-time winner at the races, the soon-to-be 15-year-old mare is already the dam of three-time group winner La Birkin (Arg) (Indygo Shiner) and, after producing foals by Grand Reward (Storm Cat–Serena's Song) in each of her last two years at stud, is carrying to Indygo Shiner's 2012 Derby Nacional (Argentine Derby), treble Group 1 hero and Horse of the Year Indy Point (A.P. Indy). The latter made four starts in the U.S. under the care of trainer Richard Mandella, winning the GII John Henry Turf Championship S. before finishing an excellent third to Magician (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. La Margot sells as one of the aforementioned pairs with Mi Gauchita (Arg) (Southern Halo), the dam of Group 3 winner Don Mengan (Arg) (El Corredor). Mi Gauchita is in foal to dual U.S. Grade III winner Endorsement (Distorted Humor).
Other offerings include mares in foal to multiple champion and first-crop covering sire Todo Un Amiguito (Arg) (Mutakddim); Winning Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize), a three-time Group 1 winner in Argentina and victorious in the GI Kilroe Mile in 2014 for trainer Neil Drysdale; and Easing Along (Storm Cat), a half-brother to Easy Goer who has carved out a successful reputation in South America.
Mares will be available for inspection Tuesday and Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m. with selling to begin at 11. A sales wrap will appear in the TDN later this week.
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