KatieRich Reinvests

Larry Doyle’s KatieRich Farms, which enjoyed its high-water mark as sellers when it sold a Smart Strike filly for $700,000 at this year’s Keeneland September sale, was in action as buyers Wednesday, going to $1.5 million to acquire the broodmare Her Smile (Include). 

“We are always looking to upgrade,” Doyle said after signing the ticket on the 6-year-old mare. “She was a nice winner at the track, she is in foal to Tapit and she is really good looking.” 

Doyle added the mare would likely be bred back to Tapit. 

Consigned by Gainesway on behalf of SF Bloodstock as hip 308, Her Smile won the 2011 GI Prioress S. She sold for $1 million to Adena Springs at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November sale and raced for Frank Stronach’s operation in 2012. Returned to the sales ring in 2013 while in foal to Ghostzapper, Her Smile was acquired by SF Bloodstock for $1.075 million. She produced a colt by Ghostzapper this spring and sold Wednesday in foal to Tapit. 

“We’re very pleased with the result,” said Gainesway’s Michael Hernon. “She’s another quality young mare who is in foal to leading sire Tapit. She is positioned to be any kind of serious producer early in her career.” 

Of the overall market, Hernon added, “The market is solid and strong, but people are careful. There is a premium for the real top-drawer product, however you don’t want to be too aggressive [setting reserves]. Gainesway continues to sell at a very high clearance rate.”