After the Auction: Tachi

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. 

The colt’s athletic build caught my attention as he stood in the sales ring at the 2012 KeenelandSeptember Yearling Sale, at which he was purchased for the bargain price of $34,000. Although he brought a small price, I knew this colt had the potential to become the athlete his conformation indicated he was.

The Indiana-bred colt, bred by Elm Tree Farm, made his debut at Indiana Downs on July 29, 2013, going five furlongs in a state-bred maiden special weight on the dirt. Settling several lengths off the pace, Tachi remained on the rail until he made his move in the latter stages of the race, swinging into the three path. Although he closed well, the colt could do no better than second, missing victory by a half-length.

A month later, Tachi made his second start, which again came in a state-bred maiden special weight – this time going six furlongs. Sent off as the heavy favorite, Tachi again raced quite a distance behind the leaders after being bumped at the start. Going four-wide as he made his rally, Tachi edged clear down the lane to score by 1 ¾ lengths.

In his third start, Tachi advanced to black-type company, competing in the Hillside Stakes at Indiana Downs for Indiana-bred juveniles. Utilizing his normal tactic of sitting far off the pacesetters, Tachi was left with an abundance of ground to make up. He found his best stride late, making an impressive move as he closed down the homestretch. Traveling wide, Tachi ran out of real estate despite his notable late kick, crossing the wire third – beaten just over two lengths.

Pedigree Analysis

Tachi was the first winner for the multiple graded stakes-winning Cowboy Cal. This makes him a grandson of one of the best sires in the world, Giant’s Causeway, who is the sire of numerous grade/group one-winning millionaires, including Aragorn, Creative Cause, Eishin Apollon, Giant Oak, Heatseeker, My Typhoon, Our Giant, Red Giant, Shamardal, and Swift Temper. Although fairly young, Giant’s Causeway has hinted at success as a sire of sires, producing the effective stallions First Samurai and Shamardal.

Tachi’s dam, Gioiello, is a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning La Dolce Vita and the graded stakes-placed Bijou. Gioiello is a daughter of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Alphabet Soup – a son of Cozzene. Cozzene has proven to be a top broodmare sire, producing the dams of the grade/group one winners Distant Way, Zaftig, and Zo Impressive. Tachi’s fourth dam, the stakes-winning Tiffany Tam, was a terrific producer, yielding not only Tachi’s Canadian Oaks-winning third dam, but also the champion millionaire Regal Intention and an additional graded stakes winner.