MdO steals the show!

It didn’t take long for the fireworks to begin at Keeneland’s 2013 September Sale on September 9th, with Medaglia d'Oro’s yearling filly out of Flying Passage lighting up the tote board at $1.6 million. This yearling represents the latest session topper sired by Medaglia d’Oro who leads all other sires in that category along with number of sales toppers since 2007.

Consigned by Gainesway Farm, agent, the beautiful bay is a half-sister to Graded winners Hungry Island and Soaring Empire, and is from the family of G1 winner Verrazano. Agent Alan Cooper signed the ticket on the behalf of the Niarcho Family’s Flaxman Holdings. A total of seven yearlings sired by Medgaglia d'Oro sold during the first session for an average of over $380,000.

Fast forward to Hip 67 and it was a Bernardini colt who had more than a few hands raising around the sales pavilion as he brought an impressive $650,000 with John Stuart’s Bluegrass Thoroughbreds acting as the selling agent. Mandy Pope was the successful bidder for the half-brother to Champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Stevie Wonderboy and a full brother to G3 winner/G1-placed Theyskens’ Theory. The three yearlings sired by Bernardini that sold during the opening session averaged over $390,000.

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, who is returning to Darley in America from Darley in Japan for the 2014 breeding season, saw his tremendous on-track success in 2013 spilling over to the sales ring, exemplified by his $280,000 yearling daughter selling as Hip 85. By the sire of recent G1 Spinaway Stakes winner, Sweet Reason, this fantastic-looking filly is out a G3-placed half-sister to multiple G1 winner I Ain’t Bluffing (herself dam of G2 winner Acting Happy). From the consignment of Clearsky Farms, agent, she was purchased by Tony Dutrow.

Fellow Darley stallion Hard Spun was also represented by a six-figure yearling on the first day of the marathon Keeneland September Sale. Hip 106, a half-brother to G2 winner/G1-placed Montgomery’s Arch, sold for $360,000 with Nick Zito signing the ticket. The colt was sold by Dromoland Farm.

The sale continues tomorrow.