Aboughazale Strikes Gold

International Equities’ Oussama Aboughazale made headlines at Fasig-Tipton’s October Sale when signing for the session-topping Super Saver colt for $370,000 on that sale’s opening day, at which time Brookdale Farms’ Freddy Seitz revealed the Chilean resident’s desire to build a stable of high-quality runners with the aim of winning the GI Kentucky Derby. Aboughazale added another smart prospect to his burgeoning stable yesterday when extending to $600,000 early in the session for a Medaglia d’Oro filly out of the GIII Selene S. winner Verdana Bold (Rahy). The filly’s third dam is stakes winner Harbour Club (Danzig), who produced the dam of GI Princess Rooney H. winner Game Face (Menifee). She was bred by Edward Seltzer, Beverly Anderson and Darley. 

“She’s just a really pretty filly, and she looks well-raised,” said Seitz after signing the ticket. “Mr. Aboughazale thought really highly of her–we all did. She’s a top-notch physical with a great pedigree and by a great sire, so we’re looking forward to some success on the racetrack.” 

Seitz noted they had to go a bit higher than expected to secure the January-foaled bay, who was consigned by Kitty Taylor’s Warrendale Sales as lot 229. 

“It was a little more than we wanted to spend, but she’s one of those types that you’ve got to stretch for, because she’s an excellent type,” he said. Seitz added that the filly would be broken in next year at Bill Harrigan’s Miacomet Farm. Commenting on the weanling market at Keeneland, Seitz added, “There are a lot of nice weanlings here. It’s pretty strong as far as I’m concerned right now.” 

Aboughazale, better known as the owner of Suyama U S Stable, campaigned 2003 GI Ruffian H. winner Wild Spirit (Chi) (Hussonet) with trainer Bobby Frankel. Aboughazale enjoyed a brief but successful stint as a trainer last year when recording his first winner with his first starter at Gulfstream Park last March, an A.P. Indy daughter of Wild Spirit named Diva Spirit who went on to add the Pollys Jet S. at Delaware under Aboughazale’s named last October. Aboughazale, who is also a leading owner in Chile, has now entrusted his horses to trainer Todd Pletcher. Aboughazale has already enjoyed success–another of Wild Spirit’s progeny, the 3-year-old gelding Energy Spirit (Medaglia d’Oro), bred and owned by Aboughazale and trained by Pletcher, broke his maiden at 26-1 at first asking at Belmont Park Sept. 26. Wild Spirit’s grandson Protonico (Giant’s Causeway) recently won the GIII Discovery H.  –Kelsey Riley