Article by Blood-Horse
City of Light created a buzz in the breeding industry when he retired to Lane's End for the 2019 season after winning the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) that January. The son of Quality Road is still proving popular, as a daughter of his commanded the top price among progeny by sires with first-crop yearlings at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale in Kentucky, July 13.
Andrew Cary of Cary Bloodstock went to $230,000 for the City of Light filly, consigned as Hip 174 by Bluewater Sales, agent. The ticket was signed as Selective/Cary Bloodstock, with the buyers remaining undisclosed for now. Cary said the filly will be sent to Karl Keegan of Lucan Bloodstock in Ocala for breaking before joining trainer Brad Cox on the racetrack.
"I love the sire. I think he's got huge potential. He's an absolutely magnificent horse himself and he seems to be throwing terrific individuals here in his first crop. Just been really impressed with his first group of foals and I'm really excited to get her," Cary said. "I think she has a lot of his attributes. She's a big impressive physical, stands over a lot of ground, a lot of presence to her, and just had a really commanding look to her. Really, really excited. I think she's got a world of potential there."
Hip 174 was bred in Kentucky by Cobra Farm and MRJ Thoroughbreds. She is the second foal out of the Giant's Causeway mare Grand Sofia, a half sister to 2009 TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) winner and millionaire Rail Trip . The female family also includes 2013 Belmont Stakes (G1) and 2014 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) victor Palace Malice.
FTKJUL21_174_Grand Sofia 20 from thorostride on Vimeo.
Cary said that many of the City of Light yearlings he has seen look like their sire, and he likes to see a stallion stamping his stock.
"They've been well received so far and I think it's only going to continue with Saratoga and Keeneland," he added. "I'm happy to get one on board before they really catch fire."
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