Major Buyer to Become Major Seller at KEESEP

Liliana Solari’s Chilean-based Don Alberto Corp. burst onto the North American bloodstock scene as a major buyer in the fall of 2013, purchasing the former Vinery Farm in Lexington for $13.82 million and then heading to that year’s breeding stock sales to fill it. The group was particularly active at Keeneland November, securing 32 head for $10.64 million to be the leading buyer by gross. Employing mostly a “keep the fillies, sell the colts” strategy, Don Alberto will offer as many as 21 yearlings–purchased in utero both in Kentucky and abroad–at next week’s Keeneland September sale.

“They’re good-looking, top colts,” said Fernando Diaz-Valdes, advisor to Don Alberto. “They’ve got good bone, good walks. They’re correct–all X-ray well. They have all the ingredients, so now we just have to see how the market reacts.” He added, “Of course, if we don’t get what we expect, we’ll keep them.”

Among Don Alberto’s standout offerings at KEESEP is hip 549, a son of none other than highly coveted leading sire Tapit out of Reach the Stars (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to U.S. champion older mare Escena (Strawberry Road {Aus}) as well as graded/group winners Humbel (Theatrical {Ire}) and Showlady (Theatrical {Ire}), consigned by Eaton Sales. Reach the Stars was Don Alberto’s priciest expenditure at Keeneland November at $850,000.

“He’s a big, very striking-looking horse,” Diaz-Valdes said.

Diaz-Valdes is also high on hip 627, a Hill ‘n’ Dale-consigned colt by the recently deceased Smart Strike. The Mar. 22 foal is out of MSW Snow Fall (War Front), a $735,000 purchase at November.

“Everything is good–all in place. He’s strong with very good bone. That is a very nice horse,” he offered.

Earlier in the sale, Gainesway will offer a Malibu Moon colt on behalf of Don Alberto as hip 4. The chestnut, a $290,000 in utero purchase at KEENOV, is out of a winning Unbridled’s Song half-sister to MGSW and MGISP Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat) and GSW and GISP Chelokee (Cherokee Run).

Lane’s End will also sell on behalf of Don Alberto and among their offerings is hip 641–a dark bay son of Distorted Humor whose dam Spare Change (Bernardini) garnered $625,000 at November. The Jan. 30 foal is a grandson of MGISW Finder’s Fee (Storm Cat) and great grandson of GISW Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector). This is the female family of this year’s GIII Edgewood S. winner and GI American Oaks runner-up Feathered (Indian Charlie).

Don Alberto has also been active in the European market, and offers four colts with European-leaning pedigrees–sons of Fastnet Rock (Aus) (hip 64), Invincible Spirit (Ire) (hip 77), Power (GB) (hip 497) and Lawman (Fr) (hip 581).

The Fastnet Rock, whose dam was acquired privately by Don Alberto, is out of a full-sister to Irish highweight and MG1SW Lush Lashes (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

“He’s very attractive, and I wonder how the market will react to him,” said Diaz-Valdes. “It used to be in the old days that [European buyers] would come a lot, but I don’t know how active they will be this year…That is a question mark.”

Don Alberto will bring one yearling directly to the European market next month when they offer a Frankel (GB) colt out of MGSW and GISP Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) at Tattersalls October.

Don Alberto also shopped at Keeneland September last year, and has already had some success with their purchases. Jade Princess (Tapit), their most expensive of four acquisitions last year at $775,000, romped by 5 1/4 lengths after a wide trip when stretched out to a mile by Bob Baffert at Del Mar Aug. 27. The grey daughter of GISP Jade Queen (Giant’s Causeway) is being pointed to Santa Anita’s GI Chandelier S. Sept. 26.

And there’s every chance that Don Alberto will once again add to its holdings at Keeneland September.

“If we find a nice filly, we’re always interested in upgrading our broodmare band with nice pedigrees,” Diaz-Valdes said. You can follow Brian DiDonato on Twitter @BDiDonatoTDN.