Al Shaqaab Lands Scarlet Strike for $1.3 Million

Sheikh Joaan Al Thani’s Al Shaqab operation made its presence felt for the first time at the November sales late yesterday afternoon, going to $1.3 million for the graded winner Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike). Selling as a racing or broodmare prospect, the 4-year-old filly was offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency as hip 187. 

Al Shaqab’s Benoit Jeffroy, sitting beside the operation’s North American advisor Bradley Weisbord, signed for Scarlet Strike, a half-sister to the GI King’s Bishop S. winner Visionaire (Grand Slam). Both horses were produced by the SPScarlet Tango (French Deputy). 

“We’ll retire her and she’ll be a broodmare next year,” said Jeffroy. “She’s a lovely filly with a great body; we really liked her. She’s a half to a Grade I winner and is by Smart Strike, a champion sire.” 

Jeffroy said the mare would likely go back to Europe to be bred, possibly to Al Shaqab’s stable star Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Toronado, a multiple Group 1 winner, will begin his stud career next season at the English National Stud. 

Asked if Al Shaqab would continue to be active at November to acquire mares for its stallions, Jeffroy said, “We’ll see how it goes. There are some nice mares here, so we’ll see.” 

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Green Smith purchased Scarlet Strike for $220,000 out of the OBS March Sale in 2012. Twice placed in Grade I company at two, she won the GIII Providencia S. and finished third behind Beholder (Henny Hughes) in the GI Las Virgenes. She concludes her career with a record of 20-2-7-5, $421,530.