Better Than Honour, the 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, will be offered at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select mixed auction as part of a dispersal of the joint holdings of Southern Equine and Hill 'n' Dale Farms. A 12-year-old daughter of Deputy Minister, Better Than Honour is the dam of back-to-back Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners Jazil (2006) and Rags to Riches (2007). Her other offspring include 2008 grade II winner Casino Drive, who was scheduled to compete in this year’s Belmont, but was scratched the morning of the race.
Better Than Honour is not in foal.
"We have each recognized our own differing goals within the Thoroughbred business," said John G. Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale, of the dispersal.
According to Southern Equine owner Mike Moreno: "Southern Equine is a breed-to-race operation and with the purchase of our new farm in Midway, Ky. (formerly Parrish Hill), breeding to race will be our primary pursuit. Hill 'n' Dale is essentially a commercial breeding facility and wishes to continue to offer its top weanlings and yearlings for sale at public auction."
Added Eric Guillot, an adviser to Moreno: "Offering these exceptional mares at Fasig-Tipton to dissolve the partnership is the most sensible resolution for both parties. We wish each other the best of luck in these differing pursuits and remain close friends."
In all, eight mares and five weanlings will be offered to dissolve the Southern Equine-Hill 'n' Dale partnership including grade I winner Point Ashley (in foal to Distorted Humor ) as well as grade I winner Madcap Escapade (in foal to A.P. Indy), whose first foal by A.P. Indy's son Pulpit was the highest-priced North American weanling of 2007 at $1.7 Million.
"We are proud of the fact that Southern Equine and Hill 'n' Dale were able to assemble one of the best broodmare bands in the world, including Better than Honour, who is clearly one of the most important mares in the history of the breed," Sikura said. "Offering this group at public auction is fair to both sides of the partnership, and I am sure they will be extraordinarily well received. There are truly once in a lifetime opportunities in this group for the private and commercial breeder alike."