Bluewater to Offer Valiance at Fasig-Tipton November
Valiance , a grade 1-winning daughter of three-time leading sire Tapit , has been retired from racing and will be offered at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s select breeding stock sale in Lexington Nov. 9. Bluewater Sales will consign the 5-year-old mare for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin Schwartz, and China Horse Club.
Valiance took last year’s Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in tremendous style, running down grade 1 winners Ollie’s Candy and Shedaresthedevil . She followed up that victory with a game second to dual champion Monomoy Girl in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at the Lexington oval, finishing ahead of grade 1 winners Dunbar Road , Ce Ce , Swiss Skydiver , and Ollie’s Candy.
In addition to being a grade 1 winner on dirt, Valiance won her first three career starts on turf, including the Open Mind Stakes at Monmouth Park as a 3-year-old. Trained throughout her career by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, she has career earnings of $809,575. Her last start, the 2020 Distaff, brought her record to 6-1-0 in nine starts.
“Valiance is a top-class race mare and a terrific individual,” Pletcher said. “She’s always been a true professional to train in the morning and was so versatile on the racetrack in the afternoon. She’s a good one.”
A $650,000 purchase in 2017 from Bluewater’s consignment to The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s select yearling sale in New York, Valiance carries an elite pedigree to complement her outstanding race record and conformation. Her first dam, Last Full Measure (by Empire Maker) captured the 2013 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Her second dam, Lazy Slusan, is a multiple grade 1-winning distaffer and millionaire. Valiance was bred by China Horse Club in Kentucky.
“Valiance was a stunning yearling with a royal pedigree and she followed through on the racetrack,” said Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “She trained with brilliance, ran with brilliance on turf and dirt at the highest level, and provided our partners with huge thrills. She’s a rare filly who had impeccable breeding, gorgeous looks, immeasurable talent, and that intangible killer instinct to win her races. She is an elite mare who offers the complete package and she is cut out to be an exceptional broodmare.”
“Valiance is a rare commodity,” added Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. “She’s a grade 1 winner, her dam is a grade 1 winner, and her granddam is a grade 1 winner. In addition, she’s by Tapit and a beautiful individual. Her potential as a broodmare is unlimited.”