WinStar Farm’s promising young freshman sire Independence Hall enjoyed a highly prosperous 2-year-old sales season at OBS with a pair of colts bringing $1 million and $700,000 in March and April, respectively.
At OBS March, JPM Bloodstock secured an Independence Hall bay colt from the Eddie Woods consignment for a session-topping $1 million after breezing an eighth-mile in 9.4 at the under tack show. Bred by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, he is out of the stakes-placed Harlan’s Holiday mare Orcchiette, who has produced two other horses of racing age – both of which are winners.
“I thought he was an outstanding colt in his workout, and off the picture and walking video that we could see. But it was even better in person,” said trainer Mark Glatt, who will condition the horse. “He made our list as far as athleticism and looks. Just felt like he was a flawless colt, very athletic-looking. He sure looks like a racehorse.”
At the OBS Spring Sale in April, a dark bay Independence Hall colt was acquired by Winchell Thoroughbreds for $700,000 as the highest-priced purchase from a freshman sire of the session. Consigned by Wavertree Stables and bred by St. Simon Place & Schiano Racing, he is out of the Candy Ride mare Waltzing, whose Overanalyze filly Go Figure was a winner at 3. His second dam Dancing Alone is a full-sister to multiple G1-winning turf distaffer Voodoo Dancer, and produced G1-placed Dancing as well as Graded stakes-winning filly Dancing Solo.
The colt will be trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who said that Independence Hall’s first crop has made a good first impression.
“They have a very athletic look to them, very fluid horses,” Asmussen said. “I bought one as a yearling and I like how that one has progressed. This one here was another one that I thought really stood out amongst his peers, and I am fortunate to have acquired him.
Independence Hall, by fellow WinStar stallion Constitution, ranks among the leading stallions in his crop based on sales results. Other prominent Independence Hall 2-year-old purchases include a dark bay filly out of Hiding, by Posse, which sold for $285,000 to Scott and Evan Dilworth, and a pair of $240,000 colts purchased by Jet Horse LLC.
