Albaughs sell one promising horse to buy another

Albaugh Family Stables faced some difficult decisions this week at the Keeneland September yearling sale in its continued pursuit of classic success. After generating capital by selling a half-sister to one of its best runners during the first session, the stable was able to pick up a high-ticket offering by a classic sire during the second session.

The Albaughs sent a Tapit filly who is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map, Grade 3 winner and Eclipse Award finalist Not This Time, and stakes winner Taylor S through the ring on Monday, via the Taylor Made Sales consignment. She sold for $1.4 million to Don Alberto Stable.

“We were going all day long, ‘Should we sell? Should we not sell?’” stable manager Jason Loutsch said. “But for that kind of money, sometimes you need to make an economic decision, and that’s what we did. Now we’re going to go reinvest in some colts.”

Less than 24 hours later, the Albaughs were accepting additional congratulations as they landed a Pioneerof the Nile colt out of multiple Grade 2 winner Pomeroys Pistol for $1 million, in partnership with Spendthrift Farm. The new purchase expands the partnership between the two entities, as Spendthrift stands the Albaughs’ Grade 1 winner Brody’s Cause and also has the stud rights to their Grade 1 winner Free Drop Billy. Dale Romans, who conditioned both, was in attendance with both parties at the sale on Tuesday.

“We loved the horse – all the boxes were crossed,” Dennis Albaugh said. “We stretched and got a good partner. Can’t wait to get him in training and get him to the racetrack.”