The astounding longshot win by Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) produced an equally amazing stroke of fortune for Ontario breeder Susan Foreman.
Foreman owns Ontario-bred Unostrike, a Macho Uno half sister to Rich Strike, who she bought while attending this year's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. She bought the mare privately with assistance of the Mare Purchase Program, a component of Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program.
"I didn't even know Rich Strike was entered into the Derby until Saturday," she said. "I was watching on the farm, because I was foal watching with a friend, and I turned to her and said, 'I have the half sister to the Kentucky Derby winner.'"
Foreman was at Keeneland in January struggling to buy for a clients but kept getting out-bid. While back at the hotel Monday evening of the sale, she said she noticed Unostrike, who is out of Canadian 3-year-old filly champion Gold Strike, had been bought back at $22,000.
"What immediately caught my attention was she was in-foal to Caravaggio, a gorgeous son of Scat Daddy," she said. "She's out of a Canadian champion mare, a Smart Strike mare. It was a just beautiful page for me to take home to Canada."
Unostrike was not a winner at the racetrack, having placed third once at best, but she had produced three winners. Still, a lack of black-type-performing foals likely contributed to her being overlooked.
Foreman, who is based in Tottenham, Ontario, contacted consignor St George Sales and set up a time to see the chestnut mare. She said it took her "about two seconds" to realize she was not leaving without the horse.
"She's beautiful. She's 16.1. She's correct and very good looking and had an early cover date to Caravaggio," she said. Unostrike was purchased for $25,000 and half the cost was covered by the Mare Purchase Program, which offered CA$700,000 this year in rebates on a first-come, first-serve bases to breeders.Ontario residents who purchase an in-foal broodmare are eligible for a rebate of 50% of the purchase price to a maximum of CA$25,000. In-foal mares must be purchased for a minimum purchase price of US$10,000, with no maximum, and be purchased at a public auction recognized by the Ontario Racing organization. There is a maximum distribution of CA$75,000 to any one individual, partnership, corporation, or other ownership group.
Breeders are also eligible for a CA$2,500 incentive for all enrolled mares who are then bred to a registered Ontario sire in 2022.
Unostrike produced a Caravaggio filly Feb. 17, which Foreman plans to sell as a yearling. She bred the mare back to four-time grade 1 winner Maximum Security , who was first to the wire in the 2019 Kentucky Derby but disqualified for interference.
"She is a lovely mare to be around, a good mom, and it's a beautiful foal," she said. "Her nickname's Fancy. She's the niece of the Derby winner out of a hot stallion. I couldn't be happier."
