Splash of Vanilla, believed to be the only Thoroughbred registered as a palomino that has ever been cataloged for a Keeneland sale, was sold for $14,000 to Dr. Naveed Chowhan during the final session of the January horses of all ages auction in Lexington. Chip Muth of Georgetown, Ky., signed the sale ticket for the 2-year-old filly with the golden coat Jan. 17.
“It’s a novelty,” Muth said. “Dr. Chowhan already has a white filly in training with Bernie Flint. She (Splash of Vanilla) is a pretty filly, and she doesn’t have any holes in her. No horse is born with black type; I think it has a lot to do with the (owner and trainer’s) programs. She’ll get a shot (to race).”
Muth said he was the underbidder, on Chowan’s behalf, earlier in the day on the grade III-winning and stakes-producing Mr. Prospector mare Race Artist, who sold for $85,000, the session's highest price.
Chowhan, an oncologist, raced Runway Model, who scored in the 2004 Darley Alcibiades (gr. II, at Keeneland) and Golden Rod (gr. II) Stakes. Her other efforts included a second in the 2005 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland and a third in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). In addition, Chowhan is the breeder of Awesome Humor, who captured four graded events, including the 2002 Spinaway Stakes (gr. I).
Splash of Vanilla is by Ballado Chieftan and is out of the 6-year-old unraced Guaranteed Gold mare Maid of Gold T B. Kevin Lay of Triple B Stables in Minnesota consigned Splash of Vanilla to the Keeneland January sale. He bred her in partnership with Thomas Bentley.
“To be the first, to bring one here, there is something unique about that, and hopefully someone will see her as a racehorse and not just as a palomino,” Lay said prior to Splash of Vanilla being sold.