Six-time Grade 1 winner Abel Tasman to be offered as broodmare prospect

Abel Tasman, who won the 2017 Kentucky Oaks and five other Grade 1 races during a stellar race career, will be offered as a broodmare prospect at Keeneland’s 2019 January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Catalogued as Hip 288, Abel Tasman is to be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on January 7, the opening day of the auction which runs through to January 10.

Trained by Bob Baffert for China Horse Club and breeder Clearsky Farms, the daughter of Quality Road recorded Grade 1 victories at two, three and four, while six of her eight career wins came at the highest level.

In addition to three further placings at Grade 1 level, the Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old won at distances from seven furlongs up to nine furlongs, with the four-year-old’s career highlight coming in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Baffert paid the ultimate compliment to the champion mare earlier this year, drawing comparisons with a Triple Crown-winning equine great. He told Alicia Wincze of Bloodhorse: “Abel Tasman actually reminds me a lot of American Pharoah because she’s so smart.

“She tries hard every time, that’s what we love about her. That’s the thing with the good ones, they try hard every time.”

Breeder and co-owner Bernard Cleary of Clearsky Farms added: “Abel Tasman had the same qualities a lot of great racehorses seem to have but what really stood out to me was her grit, courage and determination.

“The Personal Ensign Stakes especially was a race where she really showed her heart and refused to be beaten. It’s bittersweet to see her move to another home but hopefully her new owner will enjoy her as much as we have.”

Abel Tasman retired the winner of half of her 16 starts, with career earnings of $2,793,385.

She is out of the Deputy Minister mare Vargas Girl, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Bevo and Grade 3 winner Moonlight Sonata. Abel Tasman herself is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Sky Girl and descends from the family of Grade 2 winners Wilburn and Beethoven.

Additionally, Abel Tasman is the leading earner for her sire Quality Road, and is behind only Grade 2 winner Gunnevera and champion West Coast, both colts, on the list of leading earners foaled in 2014.

“What can I say? Abel Tasman is a rare collector’s item,” said Mark Taylor, Taylor Made’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Sales Operations.

“She is a future first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. We are privileged to have the opportunity to present her to the best breeders from around the globe.”

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