The curtain has come down on one of the greatest Canadian breeding dynasties in history. WHIMSICAL DANCE, an impressive-looking bay 3-year-old owned and bred by Sam-Son Farms and the farm’s last filly to sell, was purchased for $725,000 by David Anderson’s Anderson Farms and Peter Berglar’s Stonereath Stable on November 9 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Whimsical Dance (Distorted Humor – Danceforthecause by Giant’s Causeway), who won her career debut on August 21, was fourth in the $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes and then a winner on turf in an optional race on Nov. 5, was one of five mares sold by Sam-Son on the third day of the large breeding sale. She is the daughter of Sovereign Award-winning Outstanding Broodmare of 2020, Danceforthecause, whose first two foals to race are Champion Turf Male in Canada Say the Word, a Grade 2 stakes winner and Rideforthecause, also a Grade 2 stakes winner.
Whimsical Dance’s third dam is the great Dance Smartly, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 1991, Canadian Triple Crown winner, and producer of champions.
“It was the last stop on the Sam-Son train,” said Anderson. “Their last winner and last filly to sell. And from their best family.”
Sam-Son, founded in 1972 by the late Ernie Samuel, began dispersing all of its breeding stock in January 2021. Currently run by Rick Balaz, Mark and Kim Samuel, and Michael and Lisa Samuel, Sam-Son has raced about a dozen horses at Woodbine in 2022 with 10 winners. Sam-Son also races a few horses in partnership with Agave Racing in California, including recent winner Secrets Told.
For Anderson, who grew up watching the red-and-gold silks of Sam-Son Farms land in the winner’s circle weekend after weekend in its heyday, his purchase of Whimsical Dance was very meaningful. His father Bob, who passed away almost exactly 12 years ago to the day, was friends with Samuel.
“I was not leaving without Whimsical Dance,” said Anderson, who said the filly could continue racing. “I’m so emotional and so happy.”
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There have been several Canadian buyers through the first three sessions of the 10-session Keeneland November sale. Here are a few buyers so far:
Glenn Sikura as agent bought HAPPY SUCCESS, a Bernardini 4-year-old who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Brilliant Speed and graded stakes winner Souper Speedy, a leading sire in Canada. This filly was sold in foal to Liam’s Map and brought a bid of $170,000. She is from the immediate family of Daijin (2nd dam), from the Sikura family’s Hill ‘n’ Dale breeding program who is a stakes winner, sister to With Approval and Touch Gold and dam of champion Serenading.
Sean Fitzhenry paid $200,000 for the 4-year-old filly LET’S GO NATIVE, sold in foal to War Front. Let’s Go Native is from the stakes-winning mare Baroness Richter, by Montjeu, who is the dam of graded stakes winner Dream Awhile.
Steve Kemp of Ballycroy Bloodstock, which recently introduced two new stallions for Ontario,, Collusion Illusion and Tamarkuz, bought O PRINCESS, by Bodemeister, for $90,000. The 3-year-old is in foal to Bolt d’Oro and is from the immediate family of Liam’s Map and Not This Time.
Ted Burnett’s Josham Farms paid $225,000 for stakes-placed FIREWATER ROCKET, a daughter Macho Rocket and half-sister to graded stakes winner Frank’s Rockette. Firewater Rocket is in foal to Bolt d’Oro.
Kevin McKinlay’s Hidden Springs Farm bought broodmare prospect SAVO ISLAND, a Quality Road filly and full sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Klimt for $50,000.
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