Foal Patrol star set for Keeneland September

For the first time in its storied history, the Phipps Stable, which has sought to diversify and streamline its bloodstock holdings to some degree in recent years, will offer its entire crop of yearling colts at auction. Those colts stepping in to the Keeneland September ring – consigned as agent by longtime Phipps associate Claiborne Farm – are from families cultivated by the Phippses over decades, meaning their catalog pages are littered with familiar names. But there’s one yearling who may look familiar for other reasons.

Tour of Duty, a War Front colt out of the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Sabbatical, was the first foal delivered in the first season of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol project. Video of Sabbatical in foal at Claiborne, Tour of Duty’s delivery on Jan. 19, 2018, and videos of the youngster growing up were all available to fans online as part of the Museum’s project to give insight in the breeding and raising of racehorses via live feeds of selected mares.

“We are thrilled [Phipps Stable and Claiborne] agreed to be part of this initiative,” then-Museum director Cathy Marino said at the time of the colt’s birth. “One of the Museum’s priorities is to make the sport of Thoroughbred racing accessible to as many people as possible, and Foal Patrol is a wonderful way for people to get unprecedented insight into the breeding of a racehorse, one of the most essential components of the sport. We’re looking forward to seeing this colt grow and develop on the way to the racetrack.”

Sabbatical is out of Grade 2 winner Daydreaming, making her a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Imagining. This is the extended family of champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Grade 1 winners Bluegrass Cat and Girolamo, and leading Maryland sire Not For Love.

Tour of Duty, who is set to sell on the first day of Keeneland September, had his name chosen via a Foal Patrol contest, as the Phipps stable agreed to select his name from viewer submissions. His name was submitted by both Michelle Giedt of Plymouth, Mich., and Elizabeth Blair of Shamong, N.J., both of whom received an opportunity to visit Claiborne and were given Foal Patrol merchandise.