Demand for Darley-sired yearlings continued into Tuesday’s third session at Keeneland September Sale with champion Bernardini topping all sires with a $1.2 million yearling. Consigned by Catherine Parkes’ Valkyre Stud, the filly is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf victor Shared Account. Benjamin Leon’s Besilu Stable was the purchaser.
Hip number 312, also by Bernardini, was consigned by Betz Thoroughbred Consultants, agent, and went to $400,000 for the sire of 2011 Travers Stakes winner Stay Thirsty. The yearling colt, a half-brother to Stakes winner and multiple Graded-placed Silver Edition, was purchased by Mayberry Farm.
Currently the second-leading sir e by average at the sale, Bernardini was also represented by yearlings with prices of $320,000, $320,000, $300,000, etc.
Medgalia d’Oro, the leading sire since 2007 by number of session toppers, was also well received on the sale’s second day, including hip number 469 at $600,000, a figure only topped by the aforementioned session topper by Bernardini. The colt, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dales Sales Agency, agent, was purchased by Sallusto and Albina, agent, for Black Rock Stables.
Hip number 398, also by Medaglia d’Oro, was purchased by Mike Ryan, agent, from Lane’s End Farm, agent, from the complete dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) while another son of Medaglia d’Oro, consigned by Lane’s End Farm, brought a final bid of $400,000 from Whitehorse Stables.
Raven’s Pass, who stands at Darley’s Kildangan farm, also made a splash with hip number 258 going for $370,000. Consigned by Mr. and Mrs. Jody Huckaby’s Elm Tree Farm acting as agent, the colt was purchased by John Ferguson on the behalf of Sheikh Mohammed.
A very nice looking filly by G1 winner Hard Spun, North American’s leading freshman sire of 2011 by number of winners, caught the eye of many but was eventually purchased by Michael Weston for $335,000. A half-sister to G2 winner Puzzlement, the she was consigned by Three Chimneys Sales, agent.
And last but not least, Champion Street Sense proved very popular among buyers with no fewer than four of his offerings bringing $190,000 or more. Tops among this group was a colt out of three-time G2 winner Randaroo, consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, who went for $325,000. Justice Valley Racing was the lucky buyer on this one.
