Bloodstock agent Pete Bradley and consignor Eddie Woods teamed up to sell GI Wood Memorial S. third Normandy Invasion (Tapit) last year at Keeneland April, and were back at it yesterday, selling the day’s second highest colt, the $535,000 Arch–Falling Springs, was well as a $250,000 filly by Pulpit–Curious Conundrum. Steve Young, agent, purchased the Arch, while Donato Lanni, agent, secured the Pulpit. Bradley picked up the Arch colt, selling as Hip 55, for $125,000 last September. “He was a horse we knew
we had to point to Keeneland April, just given his size and frame and maturity,” Bradley said from the rear walking ring last night. “And he really came together nicely into a big, strong horse. He worked in :10 2/5, and at these breeze shows, sometimes you worry about times, but he did it right and galloped out nicely.”
While the colt came around nicely in the last few months, Bradley said he was an attractive individual from the start. “The quality was always there, and he was very laid back,” he said. “Maybe a little too laid back as a yearling–he wasn’t necessarily the
best walker. But he’s got a great stride and a good attitude. He’s the kind of horse that should bring some money.” Bradley and Woods sold Normandy Invasion to Fox Hill Farm’s Tom McGreevey for $230,000, and Bradley sees similarities. “Both are big, attractive horses that didn’t need March sales, and it’ll be fun to see if he can follow in the same path,” he said.
Bradley’s other big score on the night was the Pulpit filly, who sold to Lanni as Hip 39 for $250,000. The filly, out of multiple stakes winner Curious Conundrum (Harlan) and a half-sister to stakes winner Harlan Street (Street Cry {Ire}), was led out of the ring unsold at $135,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton July Sale. “She had RNA’d, and we went back and bought her privately,” said Bradley. “She’s as uncomplicated a Pulpit filly you’ll ever see. Donato Lanni bought her, and she’ll go to Bob Baffert. She’ll be great for him–I think she’ll be a nice runner on the dirt.” Working on the Poly at Keeneland at last Thursday’s breeze show, the filly stopped the clock for an eighth in :10 1/5. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
