Ramiro Restrepo is hoping that lightning strikes twice for him at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale May 20 in Timonium, Md.
Three years ago, Ogma Investments, with whom he partnered, bought a Good Magic colt for $290,000 at this sale in 2022. A year later, the colt named Mage , went on to win the Kentucky Derby (G1).
But Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock went to a much higher price point at this year's Midlantic sale to secure a Constitution colt consigned as Hip 55 for $975,000. He is out of the Orb mare Chic, who is a half sister to graded stakes winners Corfu and New York Central.
As for the appeal of the colt, who was bred by Machmer Hall, Restrepo said, "Constitution is a monster stallion."
The sire stands at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., for $110,000.
The sale, impacted by significant rainfall, saw a limited number of the horses on offer breeze during the under tack show. As a result of the precipitation, Fasig-Tipton halted breezing and resumed several days later with a gallop-only format.
Hip 55 was one of those that breezed, going a furlong in :10 3/5 for consignor Grade One Investments as agent.
"The colt handled the off-going, handled the turns like a Porsche, and, at these 2-year-old sales, it's always the bottom line—how do they do it? Just in hand, super professional horse, great bone, and very athletic," Restrepo said. "You just got to hope that he wants to do it in the afternoon."
He said that the purchase was made for a partnership that will include interests from the Middle East, where he spent three months this winter, the sport fishing world, and JR Ranch's Jose Aguirre, whom Restrepo said is "anchoring the project."
A trainer has not yet been assigned.
The price disparity between Mage and his newest addition is a reflection of Restrepo and his partners looking at horses that check all of the boxes.
"Our crop … is now at 14 between the yearling and 2-year-old sales, and we've shopped for value," he said. "And now we're trying to focus on a couple of horses that kind of have everything you can think of on the page and hope that maybe they carry the workload of the crop that we have."
Restrepo said that the purchase is a full-circle moment for him.
"Funny enough, the mare sold at (the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale) as a yearling," he said. "Glencrest Farm raised her, consigned under Four Star Sales and bought by some sharp people—LJN Foxwoods and Solis/Litt. It was one of the first big fillies that I remember. She was such a beautiful mare."
Chic was a $750,000 Saratoga yearling. She has four foals of racing age, including Hip 55 and a full brother named Structured, a gelding who has a win and two seconds from 12 starts.
Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock signed for a colt by Justify , consigned as Hip 440 from SBM Training and Sales, later in the session for $650,000.
