Millionaire mare Taris sold, retired
DEL MAR, Calif. – Taris, the millionaire winner of the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs in May and five other stakes in her career, has been sold privately and retired from racing, according to new owner Craig Bernick.
Taris will be owned by Bernick, John Sikura, and Scott Heider and will be bred to Curlin in 2017, Bernick said.
Taris, a 5-year-old mare by Flatter, won 8 of 13 starts and earned $1,086,260. Taris won the Humana Distaff at seven furlongs in her final start. She was in training earlier this summer in Southern California but was sidelined by a bone bruise, trainer Simon Callaghan said.
Taris was considered a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5 until time became an issue, Callaghan said.
“It would have been too tight to make the Breeders’ Cup,” Callaghan said. “The best thing is to retire her.”
Bernick and Heider recently acquired Taris from Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Sue Magnier. Those partners acquired Taris for $2.35 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale. John Sikura worked with Bernick and Heider on the recent private transaction.
Bernick said Taris was part of a package of horses acquired from her previous owners.
“I’ve always watched Taris and admired her,” he said. “She’s an exciting filly to purchase. Everyone thought she was the best sprinting filly this year.”
Taris finished third in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland last October. In January, Taris won the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.