Flashy Gray, a 2-year-old winning daughter of Flashy Bull, brought $775,000 early in the eighth session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale. West Point Thoroughbreds and Tom Keithley purchased the gray or roan filly Nov. 13 in Lexington.
West Point raced Flashy Bull, who was a grade I winner.
Consigned by Gainesway, agent for the Dolphus C. Morrison dispersal, Flashy Gray broke her maiden by 10 ¼ lengths Nov. 8 in her second career race, capturing a 6 ½-furlong maiden event at Churchill Downs. In her career debut she finished second, beaten only a head by Silver Strike, in a 6 ½-furlong race Oct. 5 at Keeneland.
“It definitely caught our eye when she won by a pole last week,” said Erin Finley, who is West Point's director of communications. “We thought about it over the weekend, and came out to see her. We love Flashy Bull. We’ll point her for possibly the Golden Rod (Stakes, gr. II) or we’ll look at some other options, but we’re really excited."
Flashy Gray is a full sister to the winner Party Man and is a half sister to four other winners. Their unraced dam, Pleasure Cat (by Cat's Career), is a half sister to the unraced Cherie's Hope (by Flying Paster), who is the dam of grade II winner Silver Wizard (by Silver Hawk) and grade III winner Ammy Hils (by Bounding Basque).
“Her attitude really struck us," Finley said. "For just coming off the racetrack, she came here and just kind of put her head down and acted like a pro all week. Physically, she’s very correct. She’s a big, beautiful filly. She’s got good bone on her. We knew coming in there would be some people on her since she ran so impressively. She ran so well here at Keeneland (on Polytrack), and then won at Churchill (on dirt), so it kind of showed she’s versatile on both surfaces."
West Point later announced via Twitter that Flashy Gray would be sent to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. She previously was trained by Lon Wiggins.
Morrison purchased Flashy Gray for $45,000 from Brereton C. Jones/Airdrie Stud, agent, at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale. Jones bred the filly in Kentucky.
“She’s the best racehorse I’ve owned,” Morrison said. “She exceeded (2009 Horse of the Year) Rachel Alexandra’s training times at the training center. She’s extremely fast; she’s got a great airway, great feet, and great conformation. She’s sound; she’s got a tremendous, strong rear end. I’ve had 35 years of great success and fun — and made a lot of money — in the Thoroughbred business. This filly, I would have liked to have gone on and raced her, but it was time for me to sell my horses.”
Morrison bred Rachel Alexandra. He raced her alone and then in partnership with Mike Lauffer through her victory in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), after which she was sold privately.
