Medaglia d'Oro Sets Gold Standard at Kentucky October Yearlings Sale

fasig tipton kentucky october yearlings hip 62 medaglia d'oro filly
Fasig-Tipton Photo

A pair of Medaglia d'Oro fillies led the way during the first session of the Kentucky October Yearlings sale Monday in Lexington, KY. Both fillies were out of mares by leading broodmare sire Unbridled's Song.

The session topper came in the form of Hip 62, a $400,000 filly by Medaglia d'Oro out of Appealing Bride (video). DJ Stable LLC purchased the gray or roan filly from the consignment of Baccari Bloodstock, agent. The filly is a half-sister to four winners, including Grade 2 winner Appealing Tale. She was bred in Kentucky by Seclusive Farm LLC.

Close behind the session topper was Hip 18, a $350,000 Medaglia d'Oro filly purchased by Steven W. Young, agent, also from the consignment of Baccari Bloodstock, agent (video). The gray or roan filly is out of Aguilera, whose three winners to date include Grade 2 placed multiple stakes winner Bluegrass Singer. Hip 18 was bred in Kentucky by Seclusive Farm LLC, Chester Prince, and Anne Prince.

"It's encouraging that the second horse in the ring brought six figures and the last horse in the ring brought six figures," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "There was lots of good, solid trade in between."

Baccari Bloodstock also consigned Hip 85, the session's top colt, and another offering by Medaglia d'Oro. The dark bay or brown colt fetched $320,000 from Eddie Woods's Quarter Pole Enterprises (video). The first foal out of graded stakes winner Auntie Joy (Uncle Mo), Hip 85 was bred in Kentucky by Green Lantern Stables LLC.

"It's a very sophisticated and professional buying group," added Browning. "Buyers who have come here in recent years have been able to find quality horses that have gone on to perform successfully."

Hip 278, a colt from the second crop of current Leading Freshman Sire American Pharoah, sold for $315,000 to become the most expensive yearling by a Freshman Sire during the session. Out of 10-time winner Counterparty (Exchange Rate), Hip 278 was purchased by Pick View LLC from the consignment of Candy Meadow Sales, agent for Candy Meadows LLC.

The most expensive yearling by a first crop yearling sire was Hip 227, a colt by Runhappy out of Charming N Lovable (Horse Chestnut-SAF) which sold for $230,000 to DJ Stable LLC from the consignment of James B. Keogh (Grovendale), agent. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Judy B. Hicks.

Overall, 244 yearlings sold for $9,668,900, good for an average of $39,627 and a median of $15,000. The session average was up 17.6% from last year's first-session average of $33,709.

Session results are available online. The Kentucky October Yearlings sale continues tomorrow at 10 AM.