Belmont Winner Da' Tara Sells for $180,000

Da' Tara, who captured the 2008 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), brought $180,000 Nov. 16 during the ninth session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale in Lexington.

Foye Genetics, agent, purchased the 5-year-old horse, who hasn’t raced since finishing seventh in the Nov. 4 Half High Stakes at Aqueduct last year.

Consigned by Will Farish’s Lane’s End, agent, Da’ Tara was offered as a racing or stallion prospect.

Foye Genetics’ owner, David Foye, said he bought the dark bay or brown son of Tiznow “for breeding purposes.” Foye is an adviser to Robert LaPenta, who raced Da’ Tara.

“It’s not a buy-back,” Foye said of the transaction, but he noted it “was possible” LaPenta would continue to be involved in Da’ Tara’s ownership.

“It’s unclear at the moment who exactly will be involved,” Foye said. “I bought him as agent. That’s about the extent of it. We’ll see what develops. I’m working on the program. I’ve still got to put this together, but a couple of people are highly involved.

"We’ll be talking about things and we’ll have more (details) soon. I don’t want to get too definitive now, but we have a lot of confidence in him (Da’ Tara).”

Da’ Tara has won two of his 19 career races while earning $743,090. His record includes five runner-up efforts and three thirds. He finished second in the 2008 Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Da’ Tara’s Hall of Fame trainer, Nick Zito, was at Keeneland to watch classic winner sell.

“I don’t like to see a horse like that in the (sale) ring, but that’s the way it is,” Zito said. “Dave (Foye) basically bought the horse. He’s pretty sharp; he knows what he’s doing.”

The trainer said he would like to continue as Da’ Tara’s conditioner if the horse is sent back to the racetrack. According to Zito, Da’ Tara was under the care of Florida horseman and pinhooker David Scanlon before being sent to the auction.

“(Da’ Tara) was on the farm for a rest, obviously, and it did wonders, I thought, for the horse,” Zito said. “Dave (Scanlon) did a good job with him and has been training him. The horse looks fantastic. I just hope I get another chance with him if he stays in training. I’ve got to convince Dave (Foye). Let me get to work on it right now.”

Bred by WinStar Farm in Kentucky, Da’ Tara is out of the stakes-placed winner Torchera (by Pirate's Bounty).