The late couple of John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney earned respect for their contributions to horse racing, which included passionate support of Saratoga Race Course and the nearby National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Even following their deaths—Whitney died in 2019 and Hendrickson this past summer—their horses, many bred and campaigned by them over numerous equine generations, continue to command respect.
On Nov. 14, Gainesway consigned eight runners on behalf of Hendrickson's estate into the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, including a couple of 2-year-olds that lit up the sales ring by bringing eye-catching prices. Bloodstock agent Steve Young acquired both once-raced juveniles, buying Hip 4066, Alyeska, a 2-year-old daughter of Vekoma , for $675,000 and Hip 4086, a son of Practical Joke named Captain Cook, for $410,000. Citing the owner's wishes, Young declined to disclose his client or if the same owner secured the two.
Both horses were homebreds for Marylou Whitney Stables. Hendrickson retained that stable name after the death of his wife.
Young secured Alyeska after a protracted bidding war and active early bidding, with numerous buyers eager to purchase the promising filly. She had rallied from 11th to break her maiden in her debut Sept. 20 at Churchill Downs for trainer Norm Casse.
"She is from a family that, without John's passing, she would not have come on the market. (Her family) has been with the Whitneys for 40, 50 years, maybe more," he said. "She ran once like a quality horse. I think she is a very special horse. I saw her run first time out in September. I did not know about her before then."
Spendthrift Farm stallion Vekoma is one of the top first-crop sires in North America. Alyeska's dam, a half sister to the dual graded winner Bird Song, is the Giant's Causeway mare Gull Island.
Young declined to say to which trainer Alyeska would be sent for her future racing career. Plans for Captain Cook, who is out of the grade 2-placed Indian Charlie mare Pow Wow Wow, were also not disclosed.
Though the latter does not have a win on his résumé—he was a troubled sixth in his lone start against maidens Oct. 27 at Churchill Downs —he showed sufficient promise in that race to intrigue Young.
"He had a less-than-perfect trip. I think the horse put in two or three different runs in the race," Young said.
The eight horses from Hendrickson's estate cumulatively brought $1,807,000 in receipts. The unraced 2-year-old Girdwood (Hip 4131), a son of McKinzie and a half brother to three stakes winners, topped the other prices in selling for $200,000 to Young, one of the sale's most active buyers.
"I think it's a great tribute to John (Hendrickson) that these horses have been so well received," Gainesway general manager Brian Graves said. "We're happy with the whole process, but it is a little bittersweet."
