More gallopers at Gulfstream for Kirkwood

Last year, consignor Kip Elser of Kirkwood Stables and an unnamed client took the unorthodox route of galloping their offerings, rather than sending them through a timed breeze, at the under-tack preview show for the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale of 2-year-olds in training. The experiment proved a moderate success – and not only are Elser and his client back for more this season, the scope of the project has expanded.

Elser and his original client, under the consignment name of Kirkwood Stables, agent for Gulfstream Gallop LLC, have four juveniles consigned to this year’s Gulfstream sale. Meanwhile, another group of clients, under the banner of Kirkwood Stables, agent for Midway Gallop LLC, will offer four juveniles. The eight youngsters, who will open gallop during the pre-sale under-tack show on Monday, March 25, on Gulfstream’s oval two days prior to sale time, are all by different stallions, including first-crop sires Bayern, Tonalist, and Wicked Strong. The Midway Gallop group includes a Ghostzapper colt who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Time and Motion, from a deep Darby Dan Farm family.

Last year, Elser sent five horses through the ring at Gulfstream as Kirkwood Stables, agent for Gulfstream Gallop LLC. Three of those sold, led by a $120,000 Noble Mission colt to Caves Farm and a $100,000 Blame filly to Dennis O’Neill. The Blame filly, now named Splashy Kisses, is multiple graded stakes placed, further flying the banner for the program.