SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After Grade 2 winner Mopotism, dam of Preakness Stakes winner Journalism, died at age 11 in July, breeder Don Alberto Corp. of Liliana Solari and her son Carlos Heller had competing business and emotional values to balance.
Mopotism’s yearling filly, by leading sire Into Mischief, had been entered in August’s elite Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, but with the loss of the mare, the emotional and practical value of keeping her remaining foals in the broodmare band rose dramatically.
In the end, Don Alberto made the business decision to let the market have an opportunity at a prime asset – but also decided not to let the filly go easily. Mopotism’s filly drew a round of applause as she brought the hammer down at a high bid of $3.9 million on Tuesday evening at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, but that was not enough to meet her sky-high reserve and she will head home.
“With the mare gone, it was going to take a lot to push us over the edge,” said Reed Ringler, chief operating officer for Don Alberto’s U.S. operations. “Hopefully, she’ll go on and carry on her mother’s legacy and be a great racehorse and a good mom.”
Mopotism was a fine racemare in her own right, winning the Grade 2 La Canada in 2019 and placing in four Grade 1 races. Journalism, her first foal, was purchased for $825,000 by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. Racing for a partnership that includes Eclipse, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Don Alberto back in for a piece, and the Coolmore group, which has secured his stud rights, Journalism is a three-time Grade 1 winner who has not missed the board in eight career starts. His Preakness victory was sandwiched between runner-up efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Mopotism’s second foal, the unraced Nitro Tap, brought $1.5 million from Flying Dutchmen at last year’s Saratoga sale. The 2-year-old Tapit colt has yet to race. Mopotism delivered this Into Mischief filly in 2024 and had a Flightline filly earlier this year before complications from colic claimed her.
Ringler said that the Into Mischief filly, who was handled by the Denali Stud consignment, will get a breather to recover from the busy sale preparation and showing process before going to Bridlewood Farm in Florida in the fall for her early training.
“And I’m hoping she’ll go to Michael McCarthy, if he’ll have her,” Ringler said. “We’ll go turn her into a racehorse.”
McCarthy likely won't need much convincing – he trains Journalism.
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