Proprietor/breeder Marc Gunderson goes residence with the broodmare and foal duo he focused forward of the Feb. 9 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Combined Sale.
Beneath the title MWG, he purchased a number of graded stakes-placed mare Ava’s Grace (Hip 126) in foal to two-time Horse of the Yr Curlin   for $950,000 after which went to $625,000 for her Into Mischief  filly (Hip 127).Â
“That is the package deal we recognized in Texas that we wished,” mentioned Gunderson. “You are coping with a graded stakes horse that is acquired an Into Mischief on the bottom, and we’re again in foal to Curlin. You may’t let the sale mandate the standard of the horse. That is about nearly as good a high quality as we purchase. So, we thought we higher attempt to come see if we might get it.”
Ava’s Grace, an 8-year-old mare by Laoban (Uncle Mo), was graded stakes-placed from 2-4, incomes almost $360,000 on the monitor. She boasts sturdy black-type credentials, being a half sister to stakes winner Ichiban, by the prolific Road Sense  . Along with her yearling filly (Hip 127), she additionally has a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief named Mischief to Grace.
Photograph: Fasig-Tipton PhotoThe Into Mischief filly out of Ava’s Grace, consigned as Hip 127Sign up for BloodHorse Day by day
“He confirmed up right here and purchased what have been most likely our two high choices at this sale, a high-end graded stakes-placed mare in foal to Curlin, and what I believe was broadly believed to be one of the best foal within the sale within the Into Mischief filly,” mentioned Hill ‘n’ Dale’s director of bloodstock Jes Sikura.
“We’re comfortable to see Marc, (farm supervisor) Rob (Brennan), his son Will, and the remainder of the Twin Oaks staff add some extra high quality to their enterprise; we’re glad to be buddies and companions with them. They’ve actually proven up and purchased lots of good horses just lately, so so as to add these two to their assortment was thrilling for us.”
Gunderson mentioned he anticipated to pay rather less for Ava’s Grace and contemplating the stud payment this yr to breed again to both Curlin or Into Mischief, doubtless will spend a pair hundred thousand greater than projected. However he isn’t anxious about it.
“If you are going to let $200,000 intrude with a $2 million buy, at this cut-off date, you most likely should not be available in the market,” he mentioned.
Gunderson owns a farm close to Paris, Ky., that he just lately purchased and plans to develop right into a premier breeding and racing operation. Will Gunderson does all of the matings for the household’s broodmare band and Brennan focuses on evaluating the physicals for brand new purchases.
“This package deal right here (Ava’s Grace and her filly) was all finished with the three of us on the phone, and realizing it was a standout,” Gunderson mentioned.Â
“We’re simply making an attempt to do it the way in which we wish to do it,” he defined. “We do not have a commercialized alternative but. Will we really feel like we’ve the inventory that different individuals need? In the end, sure, we do. So, we might very simply go into the gross sales facet, however it takes further property. We’re making an attempt to make acquisitions of property as we sit right here as we speak.Â
“And, so our farm will certainly develop. It is one thing that we have wished to do as a household enterprise, and we have tried to maintain all the workers centered round a household idea. Final evening, we had three infants, and my spouse’s on the town. My son is within the enterprise with me, and my daughter-in-law is within the enterprise. Fairly arduous to beat yesterday and as we speak, for those who put it into an entertaining enterprise, proper?”
Jes Sikura and Marc Gunderson
Gunderson, an entrepreneur primarily based in Fort Value, Texas, has been concerned in Thoroughbred racing a very long time and has raced as Twin Oaks Bloodstock since 2023. The steady had 40% of its starters win or place final yr, and over the weekend began Miss Genuine within the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The race was the 4-year-old filly’s first stakes begin.
“We took the aircraft from Arkansas yesterday, after seeing a graded stakes race, flew in right here, checked out some infants, purchased some horses. We have a few graded races in Miami subsequent Saturday, we’ll fly down there;Â the grandkids find it irresistible,” Gunderson mentioned.
He added that the Sikura household has performed a big function in guaranteeing his enterprise acquired began on the suitable foot.
“Our farms are throughout the road. I imply, if John or Jes ever wakes up and tells me I am not one of the best neighbor, we’ll have an issue,” he mentioned with a smile. “However till that day—it is enjoyable, and so long as we are able to preserve it that manner, we’ll be round.”
Gunderson has been among the many high patrons at almost each sale over the previous six months, securing 64 head that embrace weanlings, yearlings, broodmares, and broodmare prospects for gross receipts of $19,146,000Â previous to the Fasig-Tipton Winter Sale.
Close to the tip of the Winter Combined Sale, Gunderson additionally bought Heavenly View (Hip 384), a 13-year-old broodmare by Congrats for $90,000. She is out of the Tabasco Cat mare Heavenly Cat, who’s the dam of seven winners, 5 of that are black-type performers, together with a number of graded stakes winner and millionaire Mr. Freeze.
Heavenly View was provided as not pregnant by Taylor Made Gross sales Company, agent. She is the dam of two winners, together with stakes winner Heaven Road (Road Sense).
Gunderson’s three purchases throughout the Winter Combined Sale totaled $1,665,000.
