Las Retamas offers its entire 2023 crop at auction today

The farm where Dark Love, Argentina’s 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, was bred will offer progeny by Gouverneur Morris, Fortify, Treasure Beach, Uncle Chuck, Remote, and others, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Dark Love, the 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, was bred by Las Retamas / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Many breeding operations have found in the boutique model a way to carve out a place in the Thoroughbred industry. Breeding fewer horses—but aiming for the very best—is the driving philosophy behind these efforts, and Las Retamas, the project led by Gustavo Uher, is a prime example. This Tuesday, the farm will offer its entire 2023 crop in an online sale conducted by Fallow Remates, with proceedings beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Continuing a long-standing family tradition, Uher has stamped the project with his own vision, increasing the size of the broodmare band while shifting the focus toward a more commercially-oriented, quality-first approach. The results speak for themselves.

It was at Las Retamas where Dark Love (In the Dark) was bred—the colt who earned the title of Argentina’s Champion 2-Year-Old Male of 2023 before being exported to Hong Kong. Notably, he also passed through a previous Las Retamas sale.

“Top Quality Breeding” is the slogan emblazoned on the front of the catalog, which features 16 colts and fillies by prominent stallions such as Fortify (Distorted Humor), Treasure Beach (Galileo), Remote (Dansili), Seahenge (Scat Daddy), Daniel Boone (Wild Event), Hi Happy (Pure Prize), Hat Ninja (Hat Trick), Gouverneur Morris(Constitution), The Great Day (Harlan's Holiday), and members of the limited crop left in Argentina by Uncle Chuck(Uncle Mo).

Among the standout offerings is Citadel Love (Cityscape–Lovely Lady, by Honour and Glory), a half-brother to the aforementioned Dark Love, winner of the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile, and out of a mare who is a half-sister to G1 winner Pretty Girl (Harlan’s Holiday).

Another eye-catching entry is Jazz Funk (Fortify), the second foal out of G2 winner Jasminka (Mutakddim), from one of Haras La Quebrada’s most successful families—one that includes stakes standouts like Jolly (Southern Halo), Jacks of Hearts (Stay Thirsty), and Humorada Halo (Humor Acido).

Enter the Club (The Great Day) is out of stakes-placed Espléndida Halo (Southern Halo) and a grandson of the exceptional Esnaola (Ringaro), who produced G1 winners Sebi Halo, Halo Ola, and Snapy Halo, all full siblings to his dam.

Also featured in the lineup is Original Mix (Treasure Beach), out of G2 winner Orange Nugget (Freud); Stereo Lab(Daniel Boone–Savoir Aimer, by Pure Prize), a half-brother to G2-placed Sammy The Way (Heliostatic); and Crazy Train (Remote–Crazy Nistel, by Van Nistelrooy), a half to multiple winners Crazy City (Cityscape) and Azy Seattle(Seattle Fitz), rounding out a catalog packed with potential.