The first session of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale got off to a fantastic start September 11 with Darley-sired yearlings bringing the second, third and fourth highest-priced lots of the night and two more in the top 10.
Street Cry's fantastic-looking colt out of multiple Graded winner Forest Music was knocked down for US$1.2 million to George Bolton while another colt, out of champion Hollywood Wildcat, was purchased by Besilu Stables for US$925,000. Consigned by Gainesway Farm, agent, for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, LLC, and Taylor Made Farm, agent, for Irwin Cowen, respectively, the colts represented record yearling prices for their sire.
Leading second-crop sire Bernardini, sire of this year’s G1 Travers Stakes winner Stay Thirsty, was also a hot commodity with hip number 43 bringing realising a final bid to Demi O’Byrne for US$875,000. This well-built colt is a half-brother to three Stakes winners, including G1 Alabama winner Sweet Symphony. He was consigned by Bluewater Sales as agent.
Champion Street Sense also proved to be a crowd favorite with his two offerings of the night bringing prices of US$650,000 and US$500,000. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, and Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, respectively, the former is a half-brother to 2011 G1 Alabama Stakes winner Royal Delta while the latter is a half-brother to Bernardini’s multiple Graded winner To Honor And Serve.
And last but not least, Medaglia d'Oro was well represented also, exemplified by prices of US$600,000 and US$500,000. Half-brothers to G1 winners Mrs. Lindsay and Malibu Prayer, respectively, the colts were consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, and Lane’s End, agent, and were purchased by Brushwood Stables and John Ferguson.
All four stallions are standing the current southern hemisphere breeding season at Darley Kelvinside; where Street Cry $110,000 (inc GST) and Medaglia d'Oro $77,000 (inc GST) head the roster, while anticipation is high for the first-crop runners of Bernardini $38,500 (inc GST) and Street Sense $38,500 (inc GST) in the coming months.
