Hip 494, a striking dark bay colt by Flatter and out of the Midnight Lute mare Napier, caught the attention of affluent buyers at the March 2-year-olds in training sale hosted by Ocala Breeders’ Sales with a blistering one-furlong breeze in 9 4/5 seconds, followed by a powerful gallop out.
Bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo, captivated by the colt's performance, noted the impressive demeanour he maintained even as numerous buyers requested to see him out of his stall. Unlike many young horses, this colt appeared unfazed by the bustling environment.
"When you witness a horse thriving in such conditions mentally," Restrepo reflected, "you begin to think, ‘He might just be able to handle the big stage.’"
Restrepo was collaborating closely with Gustavo Delgado Jr., just as he had when they acquired Mage, last year's Kentucky Derby winner. When Jose Aguirre of JR Ranch sought their opinion on the top horse at the OBS sale, hip 494 quickly emerged as their choice.
Their enthusiasm for the colt was shared by others, leading to intense bidding that exceeded their expectations. Aguirre, on the phone with Restrepo, remained steadfast. "Don't stop," Aguirre urged. "Just secure him."
The final bid of $1.3 million brought the colt home, and early results of that substantial investment have been promising. Named Ferocious by Restrepo, he delivered an exceptional performance at the Saratoga meet, overcoming a sluggish start to dominate his six-furlong debut on August 3, winning by an impressive 7 3/4 lengths.
It was both a nerve-wracking and rewarding day for owners Aguirre, Restrepo, and the Delgados' OGMA Investments and High Step Racing. "The horse reassures you that spending that much on him was the right choice," said Delgado, who supports his father's ambitious operation based at Gulfstream Park. "It doesn’t always play out like this, but we feel optimistic so far."
Ferocious received a 96 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form for his outstanding debut. Despite a poor start from the rail—which can be detrimental for many debuting juveniles—he quickly regained his composure under Javier Castellano's urging and left eight competitors behind on a muddy, sealed track, demonstrating an affinity for wet conditions during training.
Given the strength of his debut and his subsequent training progress, connections plan to enter him in the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful Stakes. This seven-furlong race, known for its competitive fields, takes place after the 40-day meet on Labor Day.
"He’s here. He’s healthy. He’s happy. It makes perfect sense," Delgado remarked.
Ferocious has had two workouts in preparation for the Hopeful, neither putting him under significant pressure. He clocked four furlongs in 50.88 seconds on August 18 and then five furlongs in 1:02.63 six days later.
Delgado stated on the decision to target the Hopeful, "Given the way he won and the upcoming Grade 1 race where he appears to be a top contender, you have to seize the opportunity when you see the signs aligning."
Since arriving at the barn, Ferocious has continued to improve. "We always believed we had a good horse," Delgado said. "He gives off the impression that he belongs at the stakes level, and the numbers support this."
The Hopeful will serve as a key test of his abilities, being one of the premier races for 2-year-olds on the calendar. "We don’t yet know how good he is. That remains uncertain," Delgado admitted. "However, all the encouraging signs point in the right direction."
While the November 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is on their minds, Delgado is focused on one race at a time. "His soundness is the top priority," he stated.