Pope Stays Active at KEENOV

Mandy Pope, who purchased the Keeneland November topper Aloof (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for $3.9 million Wednesday, may have left the sales grounds Thursday, but she still made her presence felt when bidding via phone to landHummingbird Hill (Tapit) for $450,000. The 4-year-old mare was consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent, and sold in foal to GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame. She is out of Shop Here (Dehere) and is a half-sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Fifth Avenue (Monarchos). Shop Here is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Trappe Shot (Tapit). 

“She’s a beautiful mare,” said Claiborne’s Walker Hancock. “The Trappe Shots have been selling like crazy, so it’s no wonder she sold so well. She’s a direct descendent from that family, she’s a beautiful mare in foal to Blame, who we all love.” 

Hummingbird Hill was a $575,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase in 2011. She was winless in five starts for Mill House last fall and winter. 

“We were selling for one of our clients and he is more into the racing than the breeding,” Hancock added. 

Of the market, Hancock said, “It’s been strong, very strong. We tried to bid on some mares, too, and we’ve had a struggle as well–but that is a good thing. We’re very pleased with the way it is going.”