About 60% through the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale July 14 in Lexington, the auction saw a new high price when Alfredo Lichoa went to $550,000 to land a Cowboy Cal (by Giant's Causeway ) colt who is a half brother to two graded stakes winners.
The colt, a half brother to two-time grade I winner Executiveprivilege and grade II winner Hoppertunity, was consigned by Hidden Brook, agent.
“He went for more than we thought he would,” Florida-based Lichoa said of the highest-priced Cowboy Cal yearling to sell at public auction to date. “He has a very, very good pedigree. I think he’s the best horse in the sale.”
Bred in Kentucky by Barronstown Stud, the colt is out of the winning, grade II-placed mare Refugee, who has produced eight foals of racing age, all winners. Besides her two graded stakes winners, Refugee also boasts stakes-placed Profit.
Executiveprivilege (by Giant's Causeway's First Samurai ) won the grade I Del Mar Debutante and Chandelier Stakes before running second to champion Beholder in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) in 2012. Hoppertunity (by Any Given Saturday) won the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) earlier this year at Oaklawn Park and was second in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I). He was one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) but was withdrawn from the classic a few days.
Lichoa said going higher than he initially projected to land the Cowboy Cal colt could pay off down the line.
“There are a few horses that meet the criteria and everyone wants them,” Lichoa said. “You have to step up, and the following year you get paid back.”
Offered as Hip 155 in Monday’s sale, the Cowboy Cal colt also sold as a weanling when McMahon & Hill Bloodstock, agent, purchased him for $145,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. As a weanling at that sale, he was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.
Third-crop sire Cowboy Cal stood the 2014 season for $5,000 at Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, Ky.