On Saturday, ELiTE Grad Next Shares ran 2nd by a nose in the $400,000 G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. “We had a three-race plan to get him to this race and sure enough, we nearly pulled it off. Even though we ran second, we feel like it was a huge accomplishment,” said bloodstock agent David Meah who purchased the five year-old gelding at the 2017 November Sale.
Sale: 2017 Keeneland November
Sold on behalf of Clients: Adam Wachtel, Gary Barber and Brous Stables
Price: $190,000
Purchased By: David Meah, Agent
New Owners: Christopher Dunn, Jerry McClanahan, Ritchie Robershaw, Bill Marasa and Mark Taylor
“We gave $190,000 for a gelding which we thought was a little crazy, but I had a lot of faith in him. We had success with Insta Erma which we bought off of ELiTE who also came from Bill Mott. We know when we buy a horse from his barn, they have been so well looked after and cared for that you know you’re getting a good, sound horse. So basically, you can stay out of their way and they can continue to do well – and the same is true for Next Shares.”
“I got on and galloped him for the first couple of weeks and fell in love with him. I tweeted the first day I got off of him and said this was a special horse.”
“From the minute I saw him at ELiTE, I fell in love with him” Meah reiterated but finding owners for a $190,000 gelding proved difficult. “When the hammer came down, I didn’t have anybody and it took me 48 hours figure out. Christopher Dunn was the first guy to buy in and he was actually a friend of a friend and took a big piece. After that, some of my other clients who have been with me a long time – Jerry McClanahan (also involved with Kathy’s Song, an ELITE Sales grad), Ritchie Robershaw and Bill Marasa – jumped in. The final owner to come in was Mark Taylor, which took some convincing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d ever buy into a gelding, but I guess my pitch got it done!”
Meah reports that Next Shares has come out of the race fantastic and will point for the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile. “It’s been great to have a new guy as well as some longtime clients all in on the same horse that runs 2nd in a G1 in his third start for us is a great feeling. We’re really excited moving forward to another G1!”
