What a party!

It’s been a little shy of six years since Desert Party passed through the Keeneland September sales ring bringing $425,000 as a yearling. And just over five years since he was hammered down for $2.1 million at Fasig-Tipton’s Calder Sale. Well, as they say, quality begets quality, exemplified magnificently on July 15 at Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale by Desert Party’s first-ever select sale yearling, hammered down for a phenomenal $460,000, the sale’s top-priced offering.

Out of the Kris S. mare Lil Cozette, the beautiful filly is a half-sister to the multiple Stakes winner Comic Kris and Stakes-placed Foret. The bay yearling, consigned by Allied Bloodstock, Agent II, was purchased by Nat Rea’s Regis Farm in Canada. Said Rea’s bloodstock advisor, Richard Hogan, “She is a really nice and lovely filly, good quality." Clark Shepherd, of Allied, commented, “We weren't expecting for her to go for that much but we have heard that she is the best Desert Party that buyers have seen."

Also representing the son of Street Cry was a bay colt out of a half-sister to the multiple Champion and Breeders’ Cup winner Silverbullettday. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, Agent, it was Ciaran Dunne signing the ticket for $90,000.

Another of Darley’s first-year sires is Midshipman, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Champion two-year-old of 2008. His first-ever select yearling also produced very favorable results selling as the first hip through the ring and bringing $85,000, a multiple of nearly six times the stud fee. Out of Stakes winner Ginger Bay, the filly was consigned by Gerry Dilger’s Dromoland Farm and was purchased by Al Pike.

Hip number 12, also sired by Midshipman, met with almost identical results when purchased by Scott and Evan Dilworth for $90,000. A half-brother to G2 winner and $783,560-earner This Ones For Phil, he was consigned by Catalyst Bloodstock, Agent.

And last, bust not least, another Darley stallion, Discreet Cat, is moving ever closer to the top of the 2013 third-crop sire list, and now sits just behind fellow Darley sires Street Sense and Hard Spun. Buyers are also aware of Discreet Cat's outstanding year illustrated by the $170,000 paid for his yearling son, hip number 60, out of the Stakes winner Malibu Beach. Consigned by Adena Springs, the eye-catching colt was purchased by KDE Equine.