New and old partnerships help buyers spread risk

In a competitive market with bidding activity on quality offerings leading to soaring average prices in Books 1 and 2 at Keeneland September, old associates looked to one another and teamed up to land the horses they wanted rather than knock heads in the auction ring.

“Instead of beating each other up and smashing each other up, we might as well be in a partnership together,” Kerri Radcliffe, one of the week’s most active buyers, said after joining with Eric Fein to sign for a $1 million Orb colt who was among the top prices of Book 2.

Maverick Racing, a moniker associated with WinStar Farm, teamed with established partner China Horse Club to rank among the week’s most active buyers, landing nine horses for a combined $3.49 million, led by a $700,000 Uncle Mo colt. Coolmore, which has partnered with a number of high-end outfits in recent years, joined forces with White Birch Farm for a $1 million Quality Road colt and a $675,000 Uncle Mo colt.

Radcliffe also teamed with the Torrealba family’s Three Chimneys operation to purchase a colt by young sire Violence for $850,000. Goncalo Torrealba had been waiting to see the horse while Radcliffe looked at him, and Radcliffe’s husband, trainer Jeremy Noseda, struck up a conversation.

“[Jeremy] used to train for Goncalo, and he said, ‘Kerri really, really likes this horse,’” Radcliffe said. “And Goncalo said, ‘Well, let’s do it together.’ … It spreads risk, it spreads cost.”

Tom and Gayle Benson’s GMB Racing and the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate both have had successful Kentucky-based runners with trainers Dallas Stewart, with GMB campaigning multiple graded stakes winner Tom’s Ready, and West Point colorbearers including Grade 1 winner Macho Again and Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve. The two outfits joined forces for the first time on Tuesday, purchasing a Quality Road colt for $360,000.