The great sire Storm Cat had only three foals in his final crop and one of them will be offered April 11 during Keeneland’s sale of 2-year-olds in training in Lexington. The bay colt is the only member of the final crop that will be offered at public auction as a juvenile.
“It’s a big deal to sell the last of what is a household name in our industry worldwide,” said Florida horseman Eddie Woods, who will consign the colt as agent. “It’s like the last Picasso or the last Rembrandt. There won’t be another one this age ever going through the sale ring.”
Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, Rancho San Miguel, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, and NETP bred the colt in Kentucky. He is out of 1997 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) winner Halo America (by Waquoit) and is a full brother to Irish stakes winner Marino Marini , who finished second in the 2003 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) and 2002 Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I).
Kaleem Shah purchased the colt for $320,000 from Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. The 2-year-old worked an eighth of a mile in :10 April 7 during the under tack show for the Keeneland juvenile auction. He is listed as Hip No. 151 in the sale's catalog.
“He’s a lovely horse and really uncomplicated; he’s always trained well,” Woods said. ‘He’s pretty much a pro. He’s got a little bit of the Storm Cat attitude without having a whole lot of it like some them that are really, really tough. He’s a good feeling horse and he’s very genuine. He likes his job.”
Storm Cat was pensioned late in the 2008 breeding season because of fertility problems and the 28-year-old grade I-winning son of Storm Bird still resides at the Central Kentucky nursery where he stood, Overbrook Farm. He was North American’s leading sire by progeny earnings in 1999 and 2000.
The other members of Storm Cat’s final crop are The Last Meow, a filly out of grade III winner Richwoman (by Successful Appeal ), and Cat’s Alibi, a filly out of the stakes-placed winner Western Princess (by Gone West). The Last Meow was a $220,000 buy-back when consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, to the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling auction. Cat’s Alibi was purchased for $285,000 by Chiefswood Stables from Denali Stud, agent, at the 2010 Keeneland September sale.