Keeneland faithful are familiar with Michael Hernon as Gainesway's director of sales, but the Irishman enjoyed success as a breeder at the November sale yesterday when a gray colt by Tapit sold for $260,000. Hip 892 is out of Rhumb Line (Mr. Greeley), a 10-year-old mare Hernon owns in partnership with Dr. Bill Andrade. He originally purchased Rhumb Line in partnership with Michael Narlinger for $20,000 out of the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale."

I was at Fasig-Tipton when I first saw her," Hernon recalled yesterday. " And I was immediately captured by her. She' s just a beautiful mare. She's got size and scope and she' s correct."

After her purchase in 2005, Rhumb Line was bred to Officer and the resulting foal was Art Princess. Art Princess, a $60,000 Fasig-Tipton November weanling, went on to finish second in the 2008 G2 Cherry Hinton S. Hernon was so impressed with the family, he reacquired Art Princess when she went through the sales ring at Keeneland last November.

"I bought her for $50,000 last year and I own her with [Gainesway president] Antony Beck," Hernon said. "She is currently pregnant to Tapit."

Rhumb Line was bred to Tapit in 2006 and, at the request of Narlinger, she was put through the ring at the 2007 Keeneland January sale.

"I bought her back for $65,000," Hernon said. "I always believed in the mare and didn' t want to sell her. So I went back after her and bought her. I thought she had all the potential in the world, and was a mare who would get very good-looking stock."

That faith was rewarded when the mare' s 2008 filly by Tapit sold for $100,000 as a Fasig-Tipton November weanling, and again for $285,000 at last year' s September auction.

Now named Zazu and racing for Jerry and Ann Moss, the two-year-old was an impressive winner in her second start at Hollywood Park in October, and is being pointed towards the Moccasin S. Rhumb Line' s 2009 colt by Corinthian brought $130,000 at this year' s September sale.

Hernon admitted he was " delighted" by yesterday's final bid of $260,000, made by bloodstock agent Ben Glass.

" The colt has lots of potential to him, and his sister might be the real deal," he added.

Hernon said that he currently owns three mares in partnership, but that number could increase in the near future.

" I'll be hoping later in the week to try and find a nice young mare to add to the band," he confirmed. "I'm looking to establish myself as a serious breeder in the industry. It' s always been my goal. I believe you can make a mare if you go about it the right way. I study it hard and I' m working in that direction."

Rhumb Line is currently in foal to Birdstone.

-J Martini