The stakes-winning mare Richbabe and the Street Sense colt that was by her side brought the top price of $240,000 during the first phase of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt’s dispersal, which was held July 12 at Fasig-Tipton’s Newtown Paddocks complex in Lexington. Florida pinhooker Ciaran Dunne, as agent, purchased the 15-year-old daughter of Richman and her 2011 foal in a package deal.
“Her foal was fabulous, so I bought her for her foal,” Dunne said. “I don’t know who I bought them for; I’m not quite sure yet.”
Richbabe, who captured two added-money events in Louisiana and Texas in 1998, is in foal to Bluegrass Cat . Produced from the Saratoga Six mare Saratoga Babe, she is the dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) winner Richwoman (by Successful Appeal ) and is a half sister to added-money winner Bluegrass Sara (by Tabasco Cat).
Seventy-three lots, including mares with their foals and 2-year-olds, were offered without reserve, so all were sold. They grossed $2,949,500 and averaged $40,404. The median price was $29,000.
“I think it went pretty good,” Bill Heiligbrodt said. “I was happy with everything. The good thing is some people got some really good horses, and the people who bought the 2-year-olds probably got the best deals. Those were some nice 2-year-olds in there, the kind that we’ve won with a lot. I’ll be looking forward to seeing them run.”
Michael and Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales consigned the Heiligbrodt horses. Both Heiligbrodts praised Bluewater and Fasig-Tipton’s staff for their efforts.
“Some of the horses probably brought more than I thought they would and there were some that brought a little less,” Heiligbrodt said. “The people who bought our horses, if they know how to race them, they’re going to win some money.”
The Heiligbrodts, who live in Texas, have been in the Thoroughbred business for more than 20 years. They emphasized speed in their breeding and racing operation and have been involved with such successful runners as Appealing Zophie, Cashier’s Dream, Golden Ballet, Lady Tak, Posse, and Sis City.
Phase one of the Heiligbrodts’ dispersal was conducted following the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale.
“Overall, the horses sold very well,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “I think that they probably matched or exceeded the expectations of the Heiligbrodts and Bluewater. The level of activity they had for those horses, I thought, was remarkable; they were shopped hard by a diverse group of buyers.”