Super Saver won the race for the 2010 Kentucky Derby but it was his half-brother by Medaglia d'Oro that won the top-price yearling race the first night of Saratoga’s Select Sale bringing $1.2 million. The majestic-looking son of the sire of Rachel Alexandra was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and was purchased by John Ferguson on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed.
Medaglia d’Oro was also well represented with five other yearlings on the first day of the sale and all with excellent chances at racetrack success as they are headed to some of the world’s top racing stables: hip 39 purchased by Anthony Stroud for $525,000; hip 73 purchased by John Ferguson for $525,000; Hip 54 also purchased by John Ferguson, for $500,000; hip 63 purchased by H.A.B/Stroud for $500,000; and hip 17 purchased by Stonestreet Stables LLC for $360,000. All totaled, six yearlings by Medaglia d’Oro averaged $602,000, the highest of any sire in the first session.
A close second behind Medaglia d’Oro by sales average was Champion, classic winner and fellow stud mate Bernardini who also had a total of six yearlings sell for $555,000. It didn’t take long for the Bernardini babies to make an impression with hip numbers six and 10 knocked down for $750,000 and $600,000, respectively. Both were consigned by Dromoland Farm and both were purchased by John Ferguson on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed.
But it was hip number 53 that lit up the bid board, a bay filly out of the G1 winner Sugar Shake, bringing a final price of $950,000. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales, the daughter of Bernardini was also purchased by John Ferguson for Sheikh Mohammed.
Although having only one lot go through the ring on day one, Street Cry also attracted the attention of John Ferguson who signed the ticket for $550,000 for hip number 74. The colt, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, is a half-brother to G2 winner Golden Spikes from the family of such top-class runners as G1 winner and leading sire Forestry.
A duo of six-figure Street Boss yearlings, Hips 11 and 13, sold well early on with the latter bringing a final bid of $285,000. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, the chestnut colt is a half-brother to Henny Hughes’ 2011 Stakes-winning son Midnight Visit and was purchased by Scanlon Training Center while the former, from the family of Henny Hughes, was taken home by Blandford Bloodstock, Ltd. Hip number 66, consigned by Gainesway Farm, agent, also did his sire proud bringing a final bid of $190,000 and was purchased by Starlight F. Brothers, agent.
And last but not least were two of this year’s promising freshman sires, classic winner Street Sense and G1 winner Hard Spun, who had one yearling sell each for $225,000 and $200,000. Both were consigned by Hidden Brook Farm and both were taken home by Mark Johnston.
