Jon and Sarah Kelly went to $650,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale Sept. 14 to purchase a colt by Tapit —Don’tellmichelle, by Regal Classic, from the consignment of Gainesway Farm.
The price for Hip No. 730 was the highest so far during the fourth session of the sale in Lexington.
The full brother to grade III winner Hightap was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway and is from the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Norcliffe and Canadian classic winner Lodge Hill.
Jon Kelly said the colt’s pedigree and other factors influenced his decision to sign the ticket and that he was willing to go higher if necessary. “He is by Tapit and has a sibling that’s the same breeding. His conformation was excellent, and he scoped perfectly,” Kelly said, adding jokingly, “And my wife wanted it.”
Kelly said the colt will be prepared for racing in Kentucky and then a decision will be made on which trainer will get the new acquisition. Kelly said the new buyers will be working with Don Robinson in reaching that decision.
“Some go west and some go to Florida,” he said of possible racing venues for the colt.
Kelly said the Tapit colt was his third purchase at the Keeneland sale. He said that as a breeder who also sells at auction the prices “were not high enough,” but the prices are good when his playing the role of buyer.