Corniche

Attempting to become the third winner for Freshman sire Corniche, Colucci came from just off the pace to graduate at first asking at Presque Isle Downs on Wednesday afternoon. Colucci broke alertly but was taken back to a stalking third as 2-1 chance Gangam Grey (Colonel Liam) and favored Zimomo (Twirling Candy) led the way through a quarter in :22.85. Gangam Grey straightened for home on top with Zimomo and Colucci in hot pursuit, however, it was the striking 8-1 chance Colucci knifing his way down the center of the...

A son of Corniche (hip 473) became the third juvenile to reach seven figures at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale when Susan Montanye signed the ticket at $1 million to acquire the colt on behalf of Lee Ackerley Tuesday. The juvenile will be trained by Steve Asmussen. "Steve Asmussen was here and he watched the breeze and picked this horse out for Mr. Ackerley," Montanye said. "He went back to the track today and called and asked if I would bid on the horse on behalf of them." The bay...

Coolmore's freshman sire Corniche (by Quality Road) picked up his second winner and first 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tuesday when his daughter Fanshell Beach ran down the well-backed War Ready (Jackie's Warrior) at Churchill Downs, graduating by open lengths in this 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event. Drawn widest of the six, the 7-5 second choice missed a clean jump and had to work to keep up with even-money favorite War Ready who shot out to the early advantage into the far turn. That pair quickly opened up...

The Wesley Ward-owned and -trained SUSPICIONS (c, 2, Corniche--Manoag, by Nyquist) loaded the gate as the 13-10 favorite for the opening race of the Keeneland Spring meet Friday afternoon and reported home a relatively easy winner to get his freshman sire (by Quality Road) off the mark with his very first runner. Drawn one from the outside, Suspicions was beaten out of the gate by the well-backed Joe Joe Dude (Practical Joke) down on the inside, but the Ward runner quickly made up for lost time and was right alongside...

With the first major 2-year-old sale, OBS March, now in the books, and the next round, the OBS April sale, right around the corner, it's time for some predictions. We asked the experts who their pick is for leading freshman sire and also asked them for a "sleeper pick," or a stallion that will perform beyond expectations. Here's what they had to say: STEVE VENOSA Top Pick: Jackie's Warrior (Spendthrift Farm, $25,000) Training them this year, I think the obvious two horses are Jackie's Warrior and Drain the Clock. They...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL - With brisk activity at the top of the market, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opened Tuesday with a lively day of trade topped by a $1.35-million son of Corniche. The colt was one of three to bring seven figures during the session. The entire 2025 March sale produced seven million-dollar juveniles. "Certainly an excellent day," said OBS president Tom Ventura. "We had a lot of activity in the barns during the week and expected that...

A colt from the first crop of champion juvenile Corniche (hip 95) quickly established a new high-water mark, selling to Legion Bloodstock for $1.35-million at OBS March Tuesday. Out of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Leigh Court, the colt worked a quarter mile in :21. Bred in Kentucky by Speedway Stables, LLC, he was consigned by Pick View LLC who purchased him as a yearling at Keeneland September last year for $250,000. Represented by his first crop of juveniles, 2021 champion 2-year-old colt Corniche stands at Ashford Stud. "We bought a...

Having dealt with the rookies as a case apart, and then sought a couple of bargains at the base of the pyramid, today we move into a category that remains within the reach of many hands-on breeders--from $10,000 to $19,999--while also containing sires that can raise the bar a good deal higher. On the one hand, it includes a number of young horses still to be given adequate (if any) opportunity to show what they can do, yet already finding their books and fees eroded by still newer names. But...

TIMONIUM, MD - The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearlings Sale produced strong returns at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Tuesday, with numbers up across the board from its 2024 renewal. In all, 161 yearlings grossed $4,978,100, while the average of $30,920 rose 30.4% from a year ago and the median increased 33.3% to $20,000. A year ago, 180 horses sold for $4,267,700. The average was $23,709 and the median was $15,000. "The results were very strong today," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. "I think it demonstrates that there is a viable...

by Dan Ross & Jessica Martini POMONA, CA - The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex, produced average and median figures largely in line with its 2024 renewal even as its clearance rate declined. A total of 140 yearlings sold for $4,603,400. The average increased 11.4% to $32,666 and the median remained steady at $15,000. In 2024, 163 head grossed $4,781,400 for an average of $29,334. With 97 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate rose to 40.8%. It was 34.8% a year ago. "The California breeding...

Editor's Note: the tables mentioned in the piece below have all been inserted into the article individually in alphabetical order. Please see those for reference. As an Englishman, I can assure my friends in the Bluegrass that America does not have a monopoly on political division. But in this rancorous age it is a comfort, either side of the water, that a mutual love of the horse can keep people not just talking, but outright friendly, who might otherwise only be yelling at each other. It is not too often...

Trade remained buoyant at the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington, with statistics continuing to increase over one year ago. With this year's gross having already exceeded figures for the entire sale in 2024, the sale generated $472,224,000 for 1,771 yearlings (through the ring) sold, which is 23.47% higher than the corresponding period last year when 1,740 horses brought $382,469,500. Average price of $266,643 is 21.31% above $219,810 from 2024, and the median of $180,000 is 20% over $150,000 last year. During Tuesday's session, Keeneland sold 276 yearlings (through the ring)...