All the rage

The temperature outside of Fasig-Tipton’s Florida sale reached 27 degrees by midday on March 25, but things were also heating up inside the sales tent, especially when it came to bidding on Darley-sired two-year-olds.

A little over midway through the sale, Solis Bloodstock and Three Chimneys Farm, acting as agent, purchased a bay colt sired by Bernardini from the consignment of Sequel Bloodstock (Becky Thomas), agent, for $650,000. The family reveals close ties to another Darley stallion, Hard Spun, with an abundance of black type throughout.

The action gained a new level of intensity when lot 130, another colt sired by Bernardini, entered the ring from the barn of Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), agent. After the bidding was over, it was Demi O’Byrne signing the ticket for $950,000; yet another from a talent-laden family, including the likes of Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Very Subtle.

Just one lot later, it was prominent New York owner Robert LaPenta who went to $1.6 million for yet another Bernardini colt, consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, agent.  The colt topped the sale, and combined with a total of four offerings by the Classic winner, Bernardini's overall average was $723,000, the highest among all the sires at the sale.

There were also a few other Darley sires that made strong impressions with buyers. Medaglia d'Oro, who has sired more sales or session toppers than any other sire of the past decade, also realised prices well into six figures. Lot 118, out of three-time Graded Stakes winner Elusive Diva, by Elusive Quality, saw a final bid of $500,000 from Mark Hennig. The colt hailed from the consignment of Top Line Sales, LLC, agent. And in the early stages of the sale, lot 10, consigned by Eddie Woods, agent, was taken home by buyer Mill House for a final price of $350,000. This filly was produced from the multiple Stakes-winning Seeking the Gold mare Maizelle.

Street Cry’s son, Street Sense, was represented by one sale two-year-old, a colt, out of a daughter of Smart Strike. A half-brother to G2 winner and $759,780-earner Handsome Mike, the colt was another from the consignment of Eddie Woods, agent and was purchased for $300,000 by Steven Young.

And last but not least, a filly sired by Street Boss, out of Stakes winner Magic Smoke, was hammered down for $225,000 at the beginning of the sale. Consigned by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, the ticket was signed by Hardacre Farm.