Lion Heart Wows Buyers at Fasig-Tipton July
17th July 2007
The innovative New Sire Showcase at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton July Sale in Kentucky always generates plenty of interest and strong results with the star performer this year being the Coolmore based newcomer Lion Heart .An athletic chestnut son of proven Group One producing sire Tale of the Cat, Lion Heart dominated the top end of the market providing the top three lots on day one of the sale.
“The results from the July sale in Kentucky speak for themselves. Lion Heart consistently gets an outstanding type, not only well stamped with his fantastic good looks, but also with his wonderful temperament,” said James Harron of Coolmore Australia.
“They are very early looking types which seem extremely well suited to Australian racing conditions and the feedback we are getting from breeders here has been very positive.”
Representatives from Coolmore America were also very pleased with Lion Heart's impressive results, and continue to expect more of the same from him while at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Topping the session was a slashing bay colt offered as Lot 219 by Taylor Made as agent for White Fox Farm that made $US350,000 to the bid of Danny Dion of Bear Stables.
From the Deputy Minister mare Aim for the Moon, he hails from the family of Group One winner and champion sire Gone West.
Sold for $US300,000 to bloodstock agent Buzz Chace was Lot 193, a colt from stakes-placed mare V V S Flawless and bred on the exact same cross as the sale-topper being from a mare by Deputy Minister.
Rounding out the top three was Lot 232, a chestnut colt from stakes-winning mare Baba Gonzo that made $US250,000, knocked down to bloodstock agent Nick de Meric. The colt is from a half-sister by Elusive Quality to two other stakes-winners.
Weanlings this year in Australia by Lion Heart have sold for up to $A60,000, but it seems many of the better types are being held back to sell as yearlings with breeders confident they have some serious horses to offer in 2008.
“Lion Heart is an outstanding option for breeders wanting to upgrade their mares on a limited budget and with the discounted fee this year for his third season he represents genuine value,” Harron added.
An unbeaten juvenile who won three from three, Lion Heart has covered books of 122 and 110 mares in his last two seasons in Australia and returns to Coolmore this year at an affordable $A16,500.