Kentucky Derby
A Kentucky Derby (G1) victory by Tapit Trice would be popular among people on the auction side of the racing industry, particularly the selling side.
Tapit Trice, the son of multiple top sire Tapit, would become only the second seven-figure horse to win the 1 1/4-mile classic if he wins the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs. Fusaichi Pegasus, the previous seven-figure winner of the Kentucky Derby, sold for $4 million in the 1998 Keeneland July Yearling sale.
Tapit Trice was purchased for $1.3 million by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, when he was consigned by Antony Beck's Gainesway. Gainesway returned after the sale for a stake in the company.
Tapit Trice is the second-choice on the Derby morning line at 5-1 after winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass Stakes back-to-back. When Pope and trainer Todd Pletcher bought Tapit Trice as a yearling, they saw a lot of potential in him.
"He's a Tapit, so we always like the Tapits, and physically he was very impressive looking—not too big, just a good size that looked like he could fill out and grow into a nice physical horse," Pope explained. "He has a great mind and a nice walk to him." He was always behaved well and never did anything wrong."
While just one seven-figure horse has ever won the Derby, high-priced sale horses have had some success in recent editions of the event. Justify, a $500,000 yearling acquisition at Keeneland September, defeated runner-up Good Magic, a $1 million purchase at the same auction, in 2018. Instilled Regard finished fourth that year after being purchased for $1,050,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
Tapit Trice will be the 23rd horse to sell for a million dollars or more in order to compete in the Derby.
Of course, the value of the dollar has fluctuated throughout time. The 1969 Derby winner Majestic Prince led the 1967 Keeneland July Yearling auction for a then-record $250,000. In 2023 dollars, such sale price would be around $2.26 million.
Tapit Trice will be the 23rd horse to sell for a million dollars or more in order to compete in the Derby.
Of course, the value of the dollar has fluctuated throughout time. The 1969 Derby winner Majestic Prince led the 1967 Keeneland July Yearling auction for a then-record $250,000. In 2023 dollars, such sale price would be around $2.26 million.