Home Sales 2017 Sale Smiling Tiger Colt Tops 2017 WTOBA Sale

Smiling Tiger Colt Tops 2017 WTOBA Sale

John and Janene Maryanski went to $67,000 to purchase the sale topper, a handsome bay colt sired by 2017 California freshman sire leader Smiling Tiger. Bred by Yakima horseman John Roche and consigned through Halvorson Bloodstock Services LLC, the colt is a half-brother to seven winners, including Washington champion three-year-old filly Castinette Dancer and stakes winner Seattles Best Copy. His second dam Soft Copy was also a Washington champion and multiple stakes producer.

The Maryanskis were the leading buyers at the 2017 venue, spending $155,000 for a strong pedigreed trio.

The Auburn couple also took home a colt by Horse of the Year Mineshaft out of the stakes-winning and stakes-producing mare Sweet Nellie Brown for $53,000. A filly by top national sire Munnings who stems from the family of Grade 1 winner Rings a Chime and 2017 Emerald Downs two-year-old filly sensation Bella Mia was a $36,000 purchase. Both yearlings came from Terry and Mary Lou Griffin’s Griffin Place consignment.

Smiling Tiger, who was a product of the 2008 WTBOA Sale, went on to earn over $1.4-million and win a trio of Grade 1 stakes. He already has six juvenile winners, including two stakes-placed colts.

A full brother to Washington champion and 2017 Longacres Mile (G3) runner-up Mach One Rules claimed the second highest price of the day as prominent British Columbia horseman Glen Todd purchased the flashy Harbor the Gold colt for $60,000.  Bred and consigned by Pam and Neal Christopherson under their Bar C Racing Stables banner, the Hermiston, Oregon-based couple also sold a full sister – another by Harbor the Gold – to 2016 Emerald Downs horse of the meeting O B Harbor for their son Bret Christopherson. Todd went to $47,000 to buy the filly, who is also a full sister to Todd’s impressive 2017 two-year-old runner Boundary Bay.

Successful California trainer Mark Glatt – who came north fresh off winning the Del Mar Mile (G2) on Sunday – signed for the fourth highest offering, paying $51,000 for Hip 129, a Munnings filly from the consignment of Dr. Duane and Susan Hopp’s Castlegate Farm.

Kudos must also be given to Washington horseman Michael Pollowitz, who in addition to purchasing two yearlings, went to $5,700 to buy a trip for two to the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which are being held at Del Mar for the first time. The trip, offered before Hip 1 went through the ring, benefits the many charities and scholarships offered by the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation.

Top Selling Yearlings at 2017 WTBOA Sale

Hip. Sex, Sire—Dam, Consignor. Purchaser, Price.
92. Colt, Smiling Tiger—Premo Copy, Halvorson Bloodstock Services, LLC, Agt/John Roche. John Maryanski, $67,000.
28. Colt, Harbor the Gold—Felice the Cat, Bar C Racing Stables LLC. Glen Todd, $60,000.
117. Colt, Mineshaft—Sweet Nellie Brown, Griffin Place LLC, Agt. John Maryanski, $53,000.
129. Filly, Munnings—Wildcat Heiress, Castlegate Farm. Mark Glatt, $51,000.
33. Filly, Harbor the Gold—Flying Memo, Bar C Racing Stables LLC, Agt/Bret Christopherson. Glen Todd, $47,000.

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