Hawkstone Yearly Recap: 2024

Giving thanks and taking a look back at auction selections from the past two years

With 2024 behind us, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks for another wonderful year of being allowed to make my passion into a living. It’s because of support from owners, breeders, and readers of this blog that I am able to do what I love as a career, and I am eternally grateful for that privilege. I was honored to provide pedigree reports for some fantastic clients this year, and appreciate their faith and confidence in my opinions and the opportunities they’ve provided. It’s been a joy to work with everything from small-time regional breeders to G1-producing operations, and I look forward to continuing to provide insight for owners and breeders of all sizes.

Last year, I did a recap of 2023, which included sharing my subscriber numbers and reviewing my auction selections for the year. While my goal of doubling my 2023 year-end numbers proved to be a bit ambitious, I’m very excited and grateful to see that people are continuing to find value in what I’m doing, with just over 10% of subscribers willing to help support me financially. I’d love to see these numbers get to 1,200 and 120 by the end of 2025.

As a final bit of housekeeping, some of you may have noticed that my posting became slightly irregular during the second half of the year. With my business picking up over the past year, I’ve found that it is not possible to keep providing the same quality of content that I had been on a weekly basis. As a result, I can no longer guarantee weekly posts here, but I will still be providing at least two posts per month - one for all subscribers and one deep dive for paid subscribers. I decided this was a preferable option to increasing my subscription prices for the second straight year, and I hope you will all continue to support me.

With all of that out of the way, here are some quick updates on every horse whose pedigree I have highlighted on this blog prior to selling at auction over the past two years. You can click on the heading to be directed to read the original posts in full.

Overall, from 62 horses selected as yearlings or two-year-olds over the past two years, there have been 35 starters, with 18 winners, six stakes winners (three graded), and an additional stakes placed runner. The greatest successes have seemed to come with horses who go on to sell in the lower or mid-tier prices - six of the 12 starters who sold or RNA’d for under $100,000 are winners, including two stakes winners in Elegant Echo and Courtly Banker. In 11 starters to sell or RNA for between $100,000-$300,000, there are seven winners, including graded stakes winners Hades and Dreamfyre and stakes winner Mister Omaha. Of the ten starters to sell for $300,000 or more, only three are winners, although one of those is graded stakes winner Sabatini and another is stakes placed Bolt of Aurum.

Here is a sale-by-sale, horse-by-horse look at these selections:

OBS March 2023

She’s the Law has been knocking on the door in maiden special weight company in California, but just hasn’t been able to get the job done for trainer Mark Glatt and Saints or Sinners, who went to $385,000 for this filly as a two-year-old. In eight career starts, she has three seconds and a third, with $53,340 in earnings.

Bolt of Aurum sold for $300,000 at the 2023 OBS March sale and has been a useful runner for Jorge Duarte, Jr. and Colts Neck Stables. A winner twice in seven starts with earnings of $87,850, Bolt of Aurum was stakes placed at two and was most recently seen winning an allowance optional claiming race at Parx by 8 1/2 lengths on October 28th.

My Awesome Dancer was a $40,000 purchase who is a three-time winner in five starts at Camarero, with earnings of $23,800.

Digital Ops sold for $600,000 at OBS March and had two wins at Belmont Park for Chad Brown before selling for $400,000 in this year’s Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale. He was most recently seen finishing 5th in the G3 Harlan’s Holiday Stakes for Saffie Joseph, Jr. and owner Jeffrey Drown. That $4,365 paycheck brought his career earnings to $112,292.

Laila Bella Girl, despite selling for $500,000, is another who has yet to find the winner’s circle. The J. David Braddy trainee for Champion Equine is placed only once in six lifetime starts, all at the maiden special weight level at Gulfstream Park. She has earned $14,065.

Ruddy Buddy continues to be a pleasant surprise, as the $10,000 purchase has now earned $115,275 in 17 lifetime starts. Trained by Robert Werneth for Michael Marks, the durable son of Mshawish is a two-time winner but faced some salty company in 2024, including a fourth-place finish in the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile Stakes at Sam Houston last January.

OBS April 2023 - Part 1

Two-time graded stakes winner Dreamfyre did not start in 2024, but the $140,000 two-year-old sold for $375,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale to Equus Bloodstock.

The Peter Miller-trained Cheeky Gal dropped down the ranks after a mostly unsuccessful 2024 season, but was victorious in a $25,000 claiming race at Santa Anita in October and most recently finished second for a $20,000 tag at Los Alamitos. The $135,000 two-year-old purchase has two wins and two seconds from ten lifetime starts and earnings of $85,960.

Murphy’s Gift, who sold for $235,000 as a two-year-old, broke her maiden in a Horseshoe Indianapolis maiden special weight in August after failing to place in three starts at the maiden special weight level at Churchill Downs, but has been well-beaten in two allowance tries at Horseshoe since then. She has earned $23,594 in her six career starts.

Dunkin Run was unplaced in two maiden special weight attempts at Tampa Bay Downs this spring. He had four workouts between November 13th and December 18th but has not posted a public work since. The $70,000 purchase has earned just $2,240 on the track.

D’Lightful Summer was withdrawn from the OBS April sale but has been a useful runner for Gerald Bennett and Winning Stables, with two wins, a second, and three thirds in 14 lifetime starts. Despite showing some promise early on, including three attempts in stakes company, she has found herself a home in the claiming ranks in Florida, with her most recent win coming for a $12,500 tag at Gulfstream Park. She was claimed for $16,000 on December 13th by Lynn Rarick for ABE Racing.

Practitioner was also withdrawn from the sale and has not raced or posted a public workout.

OBS April 2023 - Part 2

Al Albaani sold for $40,000 at the OBS April sale and is a winner in seven starts according to Equineline.

Al Munthir was a $160,000 purchase who has not raced or posted a public work.

Absolute Miracle was withdrawn from the OBS April sale and is a winner of a Hawthorne maiden special weight in seven starts, with career earnings of $30,020.

The $250,000 Twirling Candy colt Do Tap has been a very useful runner in Japan, only missing the board twice in ten career starts and with earnings equivalent to $204,379.

Hades made a big impact early in 2024, winning the Holy Bull Stakes over Fierceness. He has yet to find the winner’s circle since then but has placed four additional times, all in stakes company. He sold for $130,000 as a two-year-old and has earned $374,650.

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds 2023

Sale-topper Nuit Magique has yet to start but has three published works at Oaklawn this December, including a five furlong gate drill in 1:00.8 on December 28th. The daughter of Arrogate sold for $1 million.

On December 29th, Let’s Go J J finished second on debut in a $45,000 maiden claiming race at Laurel Park, in which his claiming tag was waived. The son of Maclean’s Music sold for $450,000 and is trained by Horacio De Paz for J and J Stables.

Florida-bred Sabatini sold for $625,000 and made waves at Woodbine this year, winning the Star Shoot Stakes and the G3 Selene Stakes. In six starts, she has two wins, a second, and a third, with earnings of $139,733. She has not been seen since a 9th-place finish in the G3 Ontario Matron Stakes on September 14th.

Courtly Banker sold for just $65,000 and has earned over double that in seven lifetime starts. After hitting the board in his first four starts at the beginning of the year, including runner-up finishes in two New York Stallion Series stakes, he broke through with a win in the Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga for Barclay Tagg and Sackatoga Stable. He was subsequently unplaced in two allowance attempts at Belmont at the Big A, and has not raced since October 18th.

Bloody Colors Wave ran a useful second on debut in an Ellis Park maiden special weight on August 17th, then switched to the turf for a Kentucky Downs maiden special weight the following month, where she was soundly defeated after being bumped at the start. She sold for $22,000 at the Keeneland November Sale as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select 2023 - Day 1

Madame Secretary sold for $900,000 to MyRacehorse and Brook Smith. She finished tenth on debut in a Del Mar maiden special weight in November and is entered in a Santa Anita maiden special weight on January 3rd.

Klaravich Stables went to $300,000 for Serling, a son of McKinzie out of a Tapit mare, who has yet to work or start.

Augusta Wind sold for $850,000 and has yet to work or start.

Unsold for a $130,000 reserve, Texian Devil has yet to work or start.

The $200,000 Vekoma colt Caspian Wind has been working consistently since November at Palm Beach Downs but has yet to start.

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select 2023 - Day 2

Social Hour, who sold for $500,00 as Hip 145. has two third-place finishes in four starts for trainer Todd Pletcher. He was most recently third in a maiden optional claiming race at Aqueduct on November 7th.

Mia’s Mom sold for $275,000 and is unplaced in two starts to date for Robert Medina, most recently finishing 10th in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight on September 29th. She has posted two Oaklawn Park workouts in December.

Hip 207, a colt by McKinzie who sold for $350,000, has yet to be named but recently posted his first public work, three furlongs in :36.09, at Gulfstream Park.

Apalta sold for $525,000 and has not worked or raced.

Gin’s Beach Road was a $650,000 purchase and has not worked since May 9th at Casse Training Center.

Keeneland September 2023

McKinzie River was withdrawn from Keeneland September but sold for $75,000 as a two-year-old at OBS April this year before being a $145,000 RNA at OBS June. She has been working steadily at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

War Cadence was a $200,000 purchase by Gary Barber and Pantofel Stables, but has yet to work or race.

Hip 1119 has yet to be registered with the Jockey Club.

Mister Omaha was withdrawn from the Keeneland September Sale, then was a $120,000 RNA at Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky October sale. He is a three-time winner in five starts, with two of those coming in Oklahoma-bred stakes company at Remington Park. He was most recently 7th in the Springboard Mile Stakes.

A $450,000 yearling for an ownership group that includes Belladonna Racing, Twin Brook Stables, and others, Vermelho finished 8th on debut for Cherie DeVaux in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight on September 28th and has not worked in the last 60 days.

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearlings 2023

Graceandmoregrace sold for $12,000 and finished 7th on debut in a Charles Town maiden special weight on November 21st.

Work For Peace is a winner of a $15,000 maiden claiming race at Laurel Park in three starts. The $17,000 purchase has earned just over that - $17,060 - to date.

S J B Express was unplaced in two Monmouth Park maiden special weights to start his career, but was most recently second in a $32,000 maiden claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs. He was a $112,000 purchase and has earned $5,600 in his three lifetime starts.

Hip 267, a $85,000 purchase by Calumet Farm, is unnamed and unraced. He was working steadily at Monmouth Park earlier in the year but has not posted a public work since August 11th.

Purchased for $20,000 by Mens Grille Racing, Gottahoppertunity was fifth on debut in maiden special weight company at Laurel Park and has put up two third-place finishes at the maiden claiming level since then, most recently on December 21st. She has earned $8,195 in three career starts.

Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age 2023

This post was something a little bit different than what I normally do on here, but I wanted to go back and take a look at this group of fillies and mares I highlighted.

Lil Miss Moonlight has not raced since being sold at this sale for $85,000 to Machmer Hall.

Musical Diva was purchased for $30,000 and put together a very useful 2024 season, with two wins, four seconds, and three third-place finishes in 12 starts this year for trainer Dan McFarlane. She earned $79,598 to bring her career earnings to $93,398. As I mentioned when highlighting her out of the HORA sale, I’m even more excited for this filly as a future broodmare, and will be keeping an eye on her moving forward.

Shoplifter did not race in 2024 after selling for $150,000 to Altair Farms out of this sale.

Deboisblanc finished third in the Letellier Memorial Stakes and fifth in an allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park last February in her two starts since being withdrawn from this sale.

OBS March 2024

The $450,000 purchase Scarlett’s Halo has yet to start, although she has been working consistently at Niall Brennan Stables for just over a month.

Murphy Girl sold for $180,000 and is thrice placed in five lifetime starts for Dale Romans and owner CJ Stables, including a runner-up finish on debut to future stakes winner Vodka With a Twist. She was most recently fifth in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.

Military Order was withdrawn from this sale but would go on to sell for $125,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium May sale. He has yet to work or race.

Gua Sha was a $17,000 RNA at this sale, then was bought back by consigner Gene Recio for $26,000 in the Fasig-Tipton Digital October Sale. He has been working steadily at Gulfstream Park, most recently posting a four furlong breeze in :47.34.

Florida-bred Popstyle was a winner in open maiden special weight company in her third start and picked up a second career win in a starter optional claiming race for a $35,000 tag. In nine starts to date, the $130,000 OBS March purchase has earned $88,500 for trainer Carlos David and owner Bell Racing LLC.

Another state-bred, Ms Kendrick B sold for $25,000 and has placed in both of her starts to date at the maiden claiming level at Tampa Bay Downs, most recently finishing second for a $25,000 tag.

OBS April 2024

Atarah sold for $450,000 and has not worked or raced to date.

Hip 1012 was withdrawn from this sale and sold for $30,000 at OBS June. He has not raced or posted a public work.

Paito Paw sold for $11,000 and has three runner-up finishes in ten starts, all at Camarero.

Since selling for $600,000, Cash Call has placed in both of her career starts, finishing second on debut at Del Mar and third in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita on October 6th. The Bob Baffert trainee for CSLR Racing Partners has not posted a public workout in the last 60 days.

Into The Fray was a $45,000 RNA but looks to have some ability, winning a maiden optional claiming race on debut at Ellis Park and most recently finding victory in a Churchill Downs starter allowance on November 28th. Between those two efforts, she was unplaced in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes and a Keeneland allowance. She has not had any public activity since that November victory.

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds 2024

Kid Dynasty was withdrawn from the sale and has put in five published works at Santa Anita, most recently posting four furlongs in :48 on December 26th.

Trusty Troutman was a $33,000 purchase for Watkins Diamond Stable and has posted two workouts at Oaklawn Park.

Le Chiffre sold for $50,000 and is unplaced in two attempts at the maiden special weight level at Churchill Downs for trainer Destin Heath and Black Balled Racing LLC.

Hip 124 was withdrawn from the sale and posted three works at Penn National in October, but has not had any public activity in the last 60 days.

A Lot of Game sold for $95,000 and has not worked or raced.

OBS June 2024

Work Smarter sold for $30,000 and posted four works at Laurel Park in November, but none since November 22nd.

Maditaville was withdrawn and has not had any public activity to date.

Quittin’ Time sold for $120,000 to Wise Racing and has been working steadily at Niall Brennan Stables and Payson Park Training Center, most recently posting a four furlong breeze in :49.8 at the latter facility.

Elegant Echo sold for $55,000 and was a winner on debut at Remington Park, then took the Oklahoma Classics Lassie Stakes in her second career start. She was fourth and fifth in her two subsequent attempts against state-bred stakes company. She has earned $71,148 in four lifetime starts.

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Thank you again for reading and for your support in 2024! I will be available in 2025 for sale shortlisting, breeding recommendations (for mares and stallions), and general pedigree analysis. Feel free to reach out to discuss how I can help you achieve your goals in the racing industry!