Keeneland January sale: Live Oak buys Big Tiz for $600,000

Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Stud went to $600,000 to buy Grade 1-placed winner Big Tiz on Monday during the opening session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

The 5-year-old Tiznow mare, who was sold as a broodmare prospect, won two of 12 starts during her three-year racing career for earnings of $239,000. She finished second in a pair of graded stakes – the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes in 2010 and the Grade 3 Railbird Stakes in 2011.

“She has plenty of pedigree, an active family, great physical, and she had some serious racing ability,” said Live Oak Stud general manager Bruce Hill. “It was way, way above what we thought we’d have to give. Mrs. Weber’s just strong. She wanted her.”

Hill said there were no immediate plans for where Big Tiz will be sent for her first mating, but suggested that two recently retired stallions from the Live Oak stable – Brilliant Speed and To Honor and Serve – were strong possibilities. 

Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Big Tiz was consigned by Greenfield Farm, agent.

Big Tiz is out of the stakes-winning Carson City mare Squall City, who has produced four winners from seven to start, including stakes winners Lady Chace and Vindy City. She is from the family of Grade 3 winner Apriority.

This is the second time that Big Tiz has gone through the ring at public auction. She did not meet her reserve at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale, with a final bid of $240,000. Her price also made her the highest-priced foal out of Squall City.