J.J. Crupi, who has been busy all week at Keeneland filling several orders for an undisclosed client, struck early in Sunday's session to secure a filly by Mineshaft for $440,000. The yearling (hip 1264) is out of stakes-placed Pleasant Lyrics (Pleasant Tap). She was consigned by co-breeder Cathy Parke's Valkyre Stud.
“She was a lovely filly,” Crupi commented. “She is just a gorgeous individual. She's got a great pedigree and she fits our program.”
While receiving congratulations and thanks from Parke, Crupi added, “And I know the woman who raised this filly does a hell of a job. We bought one from her the other day–the Bernardini–and I've known her a long time and I feel very safe buying from her.”
While declining to name his client, Crupi said he has already made between $3 and $4 million in purchases through the six days of the September sale.
“They are building a racing stable and a broodmare band and are looking for top-quality horses,” he said.
Also from the Valkyre consignment, Crupi signed for hip 460, a colt by Bernardini out of Ava Knowsthecode (Cryptoclearance), for $575,000 during Wednesday's session of the September sale.
Parke, who co-bred the yearling along with Pat Klussman's Oakbrook Farm, purchased Pleasant Lyrics for $115,000 as part of the dispersal of the estate of Ned Evans at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. The mare is a full-sister to graded stakes winner Tap Dance and a half to Grand Prayer (Grand Slam), the dam of Grade I winner Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon).
“Of course, you look really smart when you buy one of Mr. Evans's mares,” Parke said. “I just loved the mare. I absolutely loved everything about her. And the family just gets better and better and better. But this success is a result of 40 years of Mr. Evans's work and not really what Mrs. Klussman and I did, because she looks like the female side of the family.”
Parke said the yearling was among the best foals she has raised.
“I've been doing this 35 years and she was right at the top of the list,” Parke said. “She was really lovely. As far as disposition, demeanor and conformation, she was just stunning
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