Rachel Alexandra’s full brother sold for ‘epic’ price

Rachel Alexandra’s full brother sold for ‘epic’ price

If you plan to enter the thoroughbred racing industry and want to see immediate success, it is a good idea to purchase a full brother to a Hall of Fame member.

That was the case for Epic Horses on September 9, when they spent $1.35 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale to purchase Hip 112, a full brother to the sensational Rachel Alexandra .

“(Epic Horses) loved him from the beginning,” said Shannon Potter, CEO of Town and Country Farm, who served as an advisor to the new ownership group. “That pedigree and that family, he checked all the boxes for us, a really good mover.”

Potter did not reveal the identities of his new Las Vegas clients, but said they are looking to expand their participation in the thoroughbred industry. Potter met them on the baseball field while coaching his son’s travel team.

“They’re new and excited about the game, the business and the industry,” Potter said. “This is the first time they’ve made the leap into thoroughbred racing.”

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Shannon Potter signed for hip 112 at the Keeneland September auction near Lexington, Kentucky, on September 9, 2024.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Shannon Potter

Given on consignment by Hill ‘n’ Dale in Xalapa, the son of Medals of gold And Lots of Kim was the second purchase the group made and the first at a public auction. They would later add Hip 149, a In misfortune mare consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, for $350,000. Potter said they are only looking to pick up a few yearlings for now.

“As (my client) likes to say, ‘I’m not going to dive in, I’m just going to wade through it,’” Potter said.

The bay colt is the 11th foal out of Lotta Kim, eight of whom have raced. Rachel Alexandra defeated the boys in Grade 1 competition three times as a 3-year-old, including in the 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1) and against older males in the Woodward Stakes (G1). She was named Horse of the Year in 2009 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Besides Rachel Alexandra, Lotta Kim is the mother of several graduates Gladys (Medaglia d’Oro), grade 3 placed Dolphin (Looking at happiness ), and bets placed Houterson (Great weather ).

“It’s probably the last foal we’ll ever sell from her,” said Dede McGehee of breeder Heaven Trees Farm. McGehee had gotten Lotta Kim from her friend and client Dolphus Morrison when he was separating his horses before his death in 2016.

“It’s extra special because the mare Lotta Kim was owned by my all-time favorite client (Morrison).”

Asked about the colt’s comparison to Rachel Alexandra, Potter said: “His head, his look is similar to what she looked like. Very good temperament. … Hopefully he can bring some of her magic to the racecourse.”

Rachel Alexandra’s brother will likely receive his racing prep from another Hall of Famer, Todd Pletcher. Potter said the owners will race as Epic Racing.

Rachel Alexandra’s granddaughter sells to Japan for $1.05 million

The foal wasn’t the only family member to go under the hammer in the Keeneland auction ring on Monday. Rachel Alexandra’s granddaughter, Hip 175, sold for $1.05 million.

By means of Quality Road the brown mare is the fifth foal from Rachel’s Valentina the daughter of Bernardini and Rachel Alexandra who won the first class.

The foal was entered by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield as agent for breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and was purchased by Hiroshi Fukuda of North Hills.

“She’s a beautiful foal, perfect for me,” said Fukuda.

Fukuda said he paid a little more for the foal than he had hoped, but he was happy to take her home to Japan. He thinks she will fit in well there.