Machmer Hall Offers 'Special' Full Sister to Gift Box

In 2009, at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, Machmer Hall bought a very aptly named mare—Special Me. Known for her broodmare band of Unbridled Song mares, Carrie Brogden had to add this one to her string. The small gray mare cost just $6,000; and it might be the best $6,000 she has ever spent. "She created the program, a lot of it, and the ability to have a program at the level that it is," said Brogden on the importance of Special Me. "I don't know how many mares have two grade 1 winners, and two grade 2 winners. She's 18 and she's still trucking." On Sept. 10, Brogden will send Hip 230, a filly by Twirling Candy, out of her blue hen mare Special Me, through the ring on the second day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. "Twirling Candy has been really good to me. He's having a great year; I think he's a great value. He doesn't always get you the fanciest horses, but he'll definitely get you an athlete. They're sound, lots of bone," she said. Not only is Hip 230 a full sister to Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Gift Box, she is a half sister to a slew of graded stakes winners, including Gina Romantica, winner of the First Lady Stakes (G1) and most recently a game second in the Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) at Saratoga; and multiple graded stakes winners Stonetastic and Special Forces. Brogden sold Gift Box as a weanling to David Ingordo for $135,000. She noted the similarities between Hip 230 and her brother Gift Box. "She walks like her brother did, Gift Box was a fabulous mover," she said. "I actually think, that as I recall, Woods Edge's Peter (O'Callaghan), who is another great judge, was the underbidder on him as foal." Machmer Hall sold her half brother by Into Mischief last year to Coolmore for $1.2 million at the Keeneland September Sale. Now named Jousting, he is in Ireland preparing for his first start. "I've been hearing good reports from Coolmore about the half brother we sold last year, they said he should start here soon, and he's doing well," said Brogden. Special Me has a Flightline filly weanling that Brogden said is an outstanding physical, and she has checked back into foal to Into Mischief. "She's got these old, arthritic knees, and if you looked at her you'd be like, 'Oh my god, is that a horse or a donkey?' But, she's just... very well named," said Brogden.