Northwest Brings Four to F-T Florida

Northwest Stud, which enjoyed a stellar 2014 sales season, looks to continue its success in the new year, starting with Wednesday's Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale. Northwest Stud consigned an Unbridled's Song colt (hip 134) at the Florida sale last year for $550,000 and consigned the OBS March sales topper Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) for $1.6 million. The farm will consign four 2-year-olds to this year's Florida sale in hip 69, a colt by Cowboy Cal; hip 111, a colt by Bernardini; hip 149, a colt by Tapit; and hip 152, a colt by Harlan's Holiday. 

“They're four really nice horses,” said Northwest stallion director Dr. Alfredo Lichoa. 

Hip 69 is out of GSP Refugee (Unaccounted For) and is a half-sibling to MGISW Executiveprivilege (First Samurai) and GISW millionaire Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday). Bred by Barronstown Stud, Northwest purchased the colt for $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale as a yearling. 

“He's a very nice-looking horse,” Lichoa commented. “He's been working very well, he's a very talented horse.”
Northwest Stud, which enjoyed a stellar 2014 sales season, looks to continue its success in the new year, starting with Wednesday's Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale. Northwest Stud consigned an Unbridled's Song colt (hip 134) at the Florida sale last year for $550,000 and consigned the OBS March sales topper Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) for $1.6 million. The farm will consign four 2-year-olds to this year's Florida sale in hip 69, a colt by Cowboy Cal; hip 111, a colt by Bernardini; hip 149, a colt by Tapit; and hip 152, a colt by Harlan's Holiday. 

“They're four really nice horses,” said Northwest stallion director Dr. Alfredo Lichoa. 

Hip 69 is out of GSP Refugee (Unaccounted For) and is a half-sibling to MGISW Executiveprivilege (First Samurai) and GISW millionaire Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday). Bred by Barronstown Stud, Northwest purchased the colt for $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale as a yearling. 

“He's a very nice-looking horse,” Lichoa commented. “He's been working very well, he's a very talented horse.”

Hip 111, a half-sibling to MSW and GSP Third Chance (Kafwain) and SW Banner Bill (Rockport Harbor), was acquired by Northwest for $400,000 at the Keeneland September sale. 
“I think he's one of the fastest Bernardinis I've ever seen work,” Lichoa offered. 

Of hip 149, Lichoa said, “He's a very well-balanced horse with a nice walk. He's doing very well on the track.” 
The Tapit colt is the fourth foal out of Conchita (Cozzene) and is a half-siblng to English group stakes placed Music Chart (Exchange Rate). Northwest purchased him for $650,000 at Keeneland September. 

Hip 152 is the third foal out of dam Invitation (Vindication). Bred by Michael and Julia O'Quinn, the colt was scooped up by Northwest for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale by Northwest. 

“He could be one of the fastest horses at the sale,” Lichoa said. “He's been training very, very well.” 
Lichoa explained that the operation looks for conformation above all else when purchasing yearlings, but takes into consideration a balance between conformation, pedigree, and what type of horse the public will be looking to buy as a 2-year-old. 

“We look for very well-balanced horses and we try to get them as correct as possible,” Lichoa said. “There's a lot of things that need to come together. There needs to be a combination between pedigree, conformation and the quality.” 
Although most of the horses Northwest purchased as yearlings have been pricier buys, Lichoa believes there shouldn't be any problem re-selling the high-quality horses as 2-year-olds. 
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“I think the market demands good horses,” he explained. “There's always going to be a market for good horses. In this kind of market, there's going to be enough horses at Fasig for all the buyers.” 

Lichoa believes the Fasig Florida ring is the ideal location for higher-end horses and that the consignment should do well in that atmosphere. 

“Fasig is doing a tremendous job with its boutique sale,” Lichoa explained. “The location is very important because everybody is here in South Florida–all the buyers, the trainers this time of year. I think everybody is excited about what's going to happen here.” 

The under track show begins today at 10 a.m. Bidding will get underway Wednesday at 4 p.m.