Keeneland September: Pope strikes on half to Take Charge Indy, Will Take Charge

Mandy Pope continued to acquire top-quality fillies as the Keeneland September yearling sale progressed on Wednesday, landing one of the sale’s most anticipated offerings, a filly out of Grade 1 winner and producer Take Charge Lady, for a sale-leading $2.2 million.

The filly, who is from the final crop of sire Indian Charlie, was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.

“She’s top-class, said Hill ‘n’ Dale’s John G. Sikura. “She’s very correct, really pretty, good angles, moves well, and has a great side profile. She’s a really attractive filly.”

Pope, who owns Whisper Hill Farm in Citra, Fla., made headlines last year when she purchased 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace for $10 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall mixed sale and Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty for $4.2 million at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Pope said of her new acquisition. “A stellar pedigree and stellar family. She’s by Indian Charlie, who produced Indian Blessing, another wonderful filly. [We’re hoping to] run in the footsteps of her, and her daddy, and her mother, and her brothers.
“She’ll be a delight to have, and something to go along with Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty,” Pope continued. “After she’s become a famous racehorse, she’ll fit right in with those two!”

Take Charge Lady, a three-time Grade 1 winner who earned more than $2.4-million, is the dam of four winners from five foals to race, including last year’s Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy and this year’s Travers Stakes winner Will Take Charge.

Their yearling half-sister will go to Pope’s farm in Florida to be broken before shipping to GoldMark Farm, a Thoroughbred training center in Ocala, Fla., to continue her early education. Pope, who says she currently owns about 45 horses in training and 25 broodmares, has not yet selected a trainer.

“It’s too far away [to say],” she said. “But we have lots of trainers to choose from, so she’ll have an excellent trainer.”