Foals out of dams purchased through Ontario Racing’s Thoroughbred Improvement Program’s innovative Mare Purchase Program (MPP) were hot commodities at the 2022 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale on August 31, including HIP 48, one of three yearlings to hammer for over $100,000.
HIP 48’s dam Zee Ro Drop was purchased in-foal to Palace Malice by Jeremia Rudan’s Villa Rosa Farm for $40,000 USD at the 2021 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.
“I bought Zee Ro Drop with a partner of mine, Steve Kemp from Ballycroy Training Centre,” said Rudan. “We partnered on her, and we went down and shopped, and we found her. She was a big, pretty mare.”
The grey or roan colt Zee Ro Drop produced sold for $102,000 CDN on Wednesday at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s annual yearling sale.
Through the MPP, Villa Rosa Farm was reimbursed $15,000 CAD when purchasing Zee Ro Drop. The amount has since been increased to a maximum of $25,000 CAD for up to 50 per cent of the purchase price of an in-foal mare at any recognized public auction outside of Ontario.
“I wouldn’t be buying in-foal mares if not for the program,” said Rudan. “It gives you a little bit of extra wiggle room to buy better mares. Especially with the exchange, the program certainly helps, and incentivizes you to do it.”
Rudan will continue using the MPP when he heads to the fall sales.
“The Ontario program is really getting good,” said Rudan. “The people I see in the states, they’re seeing the Ontario Bred races, the incentives for Ontario Breds, and the breeding program. I think people are starting to bring better mares across and foal them out in Ontario and having them race in Ontario.”
Four other foals of mare purchased through the MPP went through the sales ring, and all sold above the median of $19,500.
HIP 139: A bay Hard Spun colt out of Isabel’s On It (GB) sold for $50,000. Isabel’s On It (GB) was brought to Ontario as part of the 2021 Mare Purchase Program by Spring Farm as a $32,000 USD purchase at KEENOV 2020.
HIP 79: A dark bay or brown Yoshida (JPN) colt out of CC’s Joy sold for $46,000. CC’s Joy was brought to Ontario as part of the 2021 Mare Purchase Program by Jesse Korona as a $18,000 USD purchase at KEEJAN 2021.
HIP 148: A dark bay or brown Outwork colt out of Kin’s Ghost also sold for $46,000. Kin’s Ghost was brought to Ontario as part of the 2021 Mare Purchase Program by Phoenix Rising Farm as a $15,000 USD purchase at KEENOV 2020.
HIP 105: A bay Always Dreaming filly out of Fallen Leaf sold for $22,000.00. Always Dreaming was brought to Ontario as part of the 2021 Mare Purchase Program by Dr. B. Van Arem as a $50,000 USD at KEEJAN 2021.
Click here for details on the 2023 Mare Purchase Program.
