Horseman Fred Jamieson purchased two-year-old Kadabra colt Ja El Express for $17,000 at SC's 2008 Canadian Open Yearling Sale. Gillis told Trot Insider
this morning that the colt has been sold, effective Tuesday, June 30, for an attractive sum.
Jamieson didn't think it was currently appropriate to divulge the purchase price of Ja El Express, but he did state that he and the colt's new connections are very happy with the arrangement. The colt's new owners are trainer Jeff Gillis of Guelph, Ont. and Ken Henwood of Mississauga, Ont.
"I know how well the breeders, Larry and Joanne Morrison, raise their yearlings," Jamieson told Trot Insider. "When I went to the Canadian Open Sale last year, I specifically had my eye on a handful of colts from their operation. I thought $17,000 was very reasonable for the colt."
Jamieson told Trot Insider that Ja El Express has terrific conformation, although he is a little short in the barrel. "In that regard, I think he's comparable to Federal Flex, and I'm pretty sure that has worked out for everyone involved with that colt." Ja El Express is out of the sixth foal out of the Sierra Kosmos mare Keystone Bluejay.
Ja El Express turned some heads June 22 at Mohawk Racetrack during a two-year-old qualifying session, the colt's first-ever charted line. The colt went wire-to-wire in 2:01, throwing up a 10-margin of victory for good measure.
"I was looking to go a mile in about [2:02] with him," Jamieson explained. "I wanted to get a nice line on his card so people would take a look at him. I didn't have a stopwatch on me, but when I got to three quarters I looked at the clock and saw we had gone in 1:33 and change. I knew we had to step it up a bit, so I just talked to him a little and he did the rest. No whip, nothing else."
Finishing off his mile with a solid :27.3 final panel, Ja El Express impressed many that morning. Jamieson told Trot Insider that he was fielding calls immediately afterward, as the colt was being shipped back from Mohawk down Highway 401. Jamieson said that Gillis and Henwood were the first in line.
"This colt didn't disappoint me even once training down," Jamieson said. "He broke very easily and has gotten better every single time we have put the bridle on him. He's a healthy, good-eating horse and is as sound as can be."
The horseman pointed out that among Ja El Express' many attributes, the colt's focus on business is exceptional. "There is a lot of construction surrounding the area where he has been training," Jamieson said, "cranes, trucks, all types of things. This colt has not been distracted --- his mind always seems to be on his business. He's very mannerly and very smart."
Although the ownership transfer has gone through, Jamieson is still down as trainer for the colt's first pari-mutuel test, which falls on July 4 at Flamboro Downs. Ja El Express will be contesting a $39,150 division of the Bud Light Stakes. The colt has drawn the outside Post 7 in Race 2. Jody Jamieson has drawn the driving assignment. The pair has been installed as the 5-2 morning line choice.
Jamieson told Trot Insider that Gillis has been dealing with some business in Eastern Canada and will therefore take over training duties on the colt after the Saturday start.