Unraced half-brother to Congrats sold to stand in Argentina

Homage, an unraced half-brother to sires Congrats and Flatter, will enter stud in Argentina after selling to bloodstock agent Carlos S.E. Moore for $9,000 on Wednesday at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The 3-year-old War Front colt was bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider and was consigned Wednesday by Claiborne.

Homage is out of the winning Mr. Prospector mare Praise, who is the dam of eight winners from nine runners. He is a full brother to Grade 3-placed Commend and a half to Grade 2 winner Congrats, Grade 2-placed Flatter, and stakes-placed Gigger.

His extended family includes Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero, Grade 1 winners Elate, Eastern Echo, and Hero’s Honor, and Grade 2 winners Roar, Yell, Wild Applause, Ironicus, On Leave, and Norumbega.

“It’s a great pedigree with some very good stallions,” said Alberto Stein of Haras La Leyenda, part of Moore’s group at the sale. “Roar, who is in the same family, was a big success in Argentina, so we will try. There are very good examples of horses who have not campaigned [at a high level], like Easing Along, who is a superstar in Argentina.”

Stein said the farm in Argentina where Homage will stand remains to be determined, but he had no complaints about the cost to acquire the stallion prospect.

“I think it’s a fair price for a horse without a campaign,” he said. “It’s a bet, like everything in the industry.”

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