By J.N. Campbell
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 143 offerings for its April Digital Sale, which includes a pair of broodmares closely related to Derby and Oaks contenders. Bidding is now open through Tuesday, Apr. 21, when the online event begins to close at 2 p.m. ET., the auction company said in a press release on Thursday.
“With more than 140 catalogued, up more than a third from last year's catalogue, the April Digital Sale catalogue shows the continued strength and popularity of our digital platform,” Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron said.
“Offerings include more than 65 horses of racing age, as well as stakes quality broodmare prospects, broodmares–including mares with foals at foot–more than 25 two-year-olds in training, and yearlings,” he added. “We're particularly excited to offer a pair of broodmares closely related to current Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.”
The hip with the Derby connection during the sale is Desert Illusion (Sky Mesa) (hip 5). Owned and consigned by Leo and Sarah Dooley of Norevale Farm, the 13-year-old mare is a full-sister to the dam of 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' and GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Further Ado (Gun Runner).
According to Sarah Dooley, the timing for the online auction could not have been better.
“Fasig-Tipton leaves no stone unturned and you can bounce ideas off of them as you navigate the world of digital sales,” Dooley said. “Once the catalogue goes live, you really see how much effort they put into the highlights. Leo did a video with Jesse [Ullery] and they are just really open when it comes to what we wanted to do.”
The Dooleys purchased Desert Illusion for $37,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale while her third foal by Maclean's Music was in utero. Out of that trio, current 3-year-old Marsood ran third behind Six Speed (Not This Time) on debut at Meydan back in early December.
Desert Illusion's colt by Girvin (hip 5) | courtesy of Fasig-Tipton
Desert Illusion is being offered with her colt by Girvin, who was foaled at the farm Feb. 14. Dooley said that their mare is confirmed in foal to Locked (by Gun Runner).
“We have tried to use Girvin as much as possible and are eagerly awaiting his first-crop of Kentucky breds to hit the track this year,” said Dooley. “The foal has a huge walk, is really well-made and he's got a great engine. We chose to send Desert Illusion to Locked and take advantage of a similar Gun Runner cross that makes that potential produce very closely related to Further Ado.”
The attention that one of the leading Derby hopefuls has generated with that massive update was a welcome surprise to the owners of Norevale, but Sarah Dooley said that this is a deep family as well.
“This is the kind of mare you want with a deep page,” she said. “Her second dam is champion Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin), and if you go look up and down it then you just say 'holy cow' that's got some depth. We are expecting a lot of traffic over the weekend, so if you give Leo a call he can set you up with a farm visit to see them both.”
Featured offerings include:
- Citizen Judy (American Freedom) (hip 15): Four-year-old half-sister to recent GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes winner and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful Percy's Bar (Upstart) is offered carrying her first foal by Girvin. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent;
- X Y Prime (hip 2): Four-year-old son of Vekoma is a two-time winner this year, which includes clearing an allowance race at Gulfstream Park Mar. 28. Consigned as a horse of racing age by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent;
- Heavenly Melody (hip 9): Promising 3-year-old daughter by Charlatan was second last out in a maiden special weight at the Fair Grounds Mar. 21. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Heartwood Farm, agent;
- 65-plus horses of racing age;
- 25-plus 2-year-olds in-training;
- Stakes quality broodmare prospects;
- Yearlings.
Click here to create an account or register to bid for the April Digital Sale.
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