Flatter colt lights up Fasig-Tipton bid board at July Sale in Kentucky

Maverick Racing and China Horse Club kicked off the first high-stakes bidding war of Tuesday afternoon during Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale, going to $440,000 (£353,000) to secure a yearling Flatter colt from the consignment of Indian Creek.

Always on the lookout for a potential runner with an undercurrent of future stallion potential, Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm - for which Maverick operates as the racing arm - said the youngster (lot 22) appears to be the perfect fit for the needs of their program.

"We thought he was the best horse here from a proven sire," said Walden of the sales-topper. "He was what we like as far as going forward with our racing program. I thought (the price) was right where we thought he'd be. That's where the market should be on a colt like that. He's a pretty obvious horse. I think he'd look good in the stud barn if he wins a Grade 1."

View Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2019 July Yearling Sale results here

Bred in Kentucky by Susan King, the colt was produced from the multiple stakes-placed Cherokee Run mare Ruth And Neva, who was also bred and campaigned by King. His second dam, the Pleasant Tap mare Tap for Gold, produced Grade 3 winner Sassy Sienna and two other stakes-placed runners.

Shack Parrish of Indian Creek said the interest in the horse prior to Tuesday's sale was proportionate to his final sale price.

"I'd say we're happy," said Parrish. "There has been overwhelming (interest). We knew he was nice but in the last month and a half, once he got here and got into sale prep he really did well.

"We knew if the end users stayed in we could go there. If it was pinhookers it would be another number. The end users stayed in so we did well. The ex-owner is down at the barn hugging him. She (King) raises these wonderful horses."

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