Six horses consigned by Mulholland Springs will make this year's Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale a bittersweet one as they represent offerings from the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Fame trainer who died June 28 at the age of 89.
Known as an astute horseman and frequent buyer at the nation's top yearling sales, Lukas had a keen eye for selecting a talented horse, and the public will have the chance to add prospects with his stamp of approval to their program.
Each horse entered was selected by Lukas, including a pair of 2-year-olds bought during last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale. They include Summer Date, consigned as Hip 362, a filly by freshman sire Essential Quality ; and Lost Valley, a filly by Liam's Map , consigned as Hip 363. Both horses have been working routinely at Churchill Downs.
"These are horses that he (Lukas) picked out," said Martha Jane Mulholland of Mulholland Springs. "He's well-known for his expertise in revolutionizing our industry and paying attention to conformation in horses. These are horses that he picked out, and I'm hoping the industry will appreciate that they were ones that he selected as being top horses.
"Wayne's eye for purchasing a beautiful physical individual is well-documented."
Lukas took the Thoroughbred industry by storm in the 1970s, using his Quarter Horse foundation to propel him to the top of the sport. His stable led by earnings in North America every year but one from 1983-97. Among his plethora of top-level achievements were 15 wins in Triple Crown races, 20 Breeders' Cup victories, and four Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer. Lukas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
READ: Industry-Shaping Horseman Lukas Dies at Age 89
"Wayne Lukas has been such a transformative figure in our industry for decades," Mulholland said. "He touched the lives of so many people with his encouragement and willingness to help and educate. We have lost a great ambassador to our sport."
Mulholland, who knew Lukas for many years, also got her start in the Quarter Horse world before making the trek to Kentucky.
"It's a little overwhelming to think about selling horses for Wayne Lukas," she said. "Wayne Lukas has been a legend in our industry for so long. He was a personal friend and someone I have respected for decades. We both have a Quarter Horse background, and I've helped with a lot of his layups over the years."
Mulholland recalled when Lukas was just someone she admired from afar. Ultimately, Mulholland's strong presence in the breeding world and Lukas' impact on the racetrack led them to cross paths and develop a friendship.
"I was blessed that he asked me to go to the (Kentucky) Derby with him and the Preakness (Stakes) this year," Mulholland said. "That was a very special time for me."
Mulholland expressed excitement about the horses under her banner.
"There are some very fine horses in this consignment," she said. "One I'm particularly excited about is Going Steady, who is a half sister to an exciting 2-year-old named Rip Cord (colt by Justify), who is ready to start here in the next 90 days. There could be a lot of fancy updates in this family."
Going Steady, a 3-year-old filly by Constitution , broke her maiden in January at Oaklawn Park. She was bred in Kentucky by TFVM Farm, Laurie Lukas, Robert Ghent, and Ricky Stivers.
Also offered is the stakes-placed gelding Waco (Hip 360). He was bred in Kentucky by Mulholland Springs and is by Maximus Mischief , who was also bred by Mulholland Springs. Waco is a half brother to multiple graded stakes-placed Flying Private, who was also trained by Lukas.
Rounding out the offerings are Our Keepsake (Hip 364), a 4-year-old Cinco Charlie filly who is a half sister to the stakes-placed Backyard Money; and Delancey Street (Hip 368), a 2-year-old colt by Street Sense out of the Malibu Moon mare Mooghareadh, who is a full sister to graded stakes winner and graded stakes producer Malibu Pier.
"I want to thank Fasig-Tipton for assisting the Lukas family in smoothly and quickly helping them disperse," Mulholland said.
"Our heroes are not supposed to die, and he (Lukas) was a hero to me."
