Al Shaqab Back In Action

Sheikh Joaan al Thani’s Al Shaqab Racing, which kicked off its American buying spree with the $1.6-million purchase of a Tapit colt at OBS March, secured another seven-figure juvenile at Fasig-Tipton Florida Monday when U.S. racing advisor Brad Weisbord bid an even $1 million to secure a son of Distorted Humor. The dark bay colt, hip 83, is out of Delta Princess (A.P. Indy) and is a half-brother to champion Royal Delta (Empire Maker). He turned heads with a co-bullet:9 4/5 work at last week’s under tack preview. 

“He is obviously a very special horse,” Weisbord said. “He’s one of the top two colts in the sale–we’ll see what happens later–but it was one of the two superstars who was able to breeze fast, gallop out well–:22 and change–and come out of it well. This horse took it all in stride. We’re excited to add him to the stable. Sheikh Joann, Harry Herbert, Khalifa and the team are all very excited to add a horse with this pedigree and all the boxes ticked to the American racing stable.” 

In addition to Royal Delta, multiple graded stakes winner Delta Princess has also produced Grade I placed Carnival Court (Street Sense) and graded stakes placed Empire Way (Empire Maker). The mare, carrying this foal, sold to Adena Springs for $2.6 million at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. The colt was purchased by Dean DeRenzo and Randy Hartley for $350,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and was consigned by the two men Monday. 

“The pedigree speaks for itself,” Weisbord continued. “Royal Delta was as good as we’ve ever seen. Not only that, the dam was a runner herself and has produced two other really nice horses.” 

The popular colt’s seven-figure price tag was no shock to Weisbord, who was outbid on the sale-topping Malibu Moon colt. 

“I wasn’t surprised [by the price],” Weisbord said. “I saw the last two sales, at Barretts and OBS, the market is really flying. For the best horses, that’s what they cost.” 

Al Shaqab was back in action just 10 minutes later, going to $275,000 to secure a daughter of GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame. Out of Erhu (Tactical Cat), hip 91 is a half-sister to the ill-fated graded stakes winner Onlyforyou (Malibu Moon), as well as Glen Hill Farm’s recent stakes winner Dress the Part (Malibu Moon). She was purchased by Bradley Thoroughbreds for $170,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and was consigned by Eddie Woods. She worked in:10 2/5 last Friday. 

“Her breeze wasn’t as fast, but she’s by a two-turn horse and her half-sister, Onlyforyou, won going two turns,” Weisbord said. “It’s a shame for the American industry to lose a filly like that and our heart goes out to the Greathouse family and the Glencrest crew on that undefeated filly. She was special. She was a favorite for the GI Kentucky Oaks and obviously, Todd [Pletcher] trained her, so we knew her well. Glen Hill’s filly is also very nice. The pedigree lined up, she’s going to be a later two-turn horse and she’ll make a nice mom after her racing days are done.” 

While Todd Pletcher will train the Tapit colt from OBS, training plans for Monday’s purchases are still up in the air. 

“We’ll always sit down after the sale and discuss it,” Weisbord said. “I’ll let the boss make the decision on who trains.” –Jessica Martini