The moment the gavel dropped on Hip 344 was a special one for Airdrie Stud vice president Bret Jones. A charcoal-coated son of Not This Time, the colt was bred, raised, and sold by Airdrie. Six years earlier, the farm sold the colt’s half sister, the grade 1-winning mare Bell’s the One.
“Special is the right word,” Jones said. “(It’s a) little overwhelming. I’m feeling a little sentimental right now, thinking about dad (Brereton C. Jones) and thinking how many memories we get from these great horses, these horse sales, and horse races. This (colt) has always been beautiful. He is by the right stallion. And the mare has been incredible to us. It’s a special family. He has always lived up to that family.”
The colt, consigned as Hip 344, sold for $1.35 million to bloodstock agent Jacob West on behalf of clients Robert and Lawana Low.
“The (bidding) went past his reserve as fast as I hope he passes horses in a grade 1 (stakes),” Jones said. “He is just so good-looking and makes you think he can be a special horse on the racetrack.”
Street Mate has proven to be a fine broodmare for Airdrie, producing six winners from six foals to race. Bell’s the One, a daughter of Majesticperfection, was a tough competitor in the female sprinting division until her retirement last year. An earner of $2 million, she notched her top-level victory in the 2020 Derby City Distaff (G1) and placed in three other grade 1 events, including the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
The mare’s other notable offspring include 2022 Knickerbocker Stakes (G3T) victor King Cause, the winner of this year’s $300,000 Texas Turf Classic Stakes June 24 at Lone Star Park. She also produced the stakes-placed Creative Cause gelding Running Mate.
