Curlin Colt a Sight to ‘Behold’ at The Saratoga Sale

The second session of Fasig-Tipton’s 102nd Saratoga Sale held Tuesday produced a sale record gross, average, and median as a selection of the best yearlings in North America found their buyers under the banner of the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York.

A Curlin colt (Hip 165) out of Horse of the Year Beholder sold for $4,000,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing, to top the session and the sale (video). Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned on behalf of breeder Spendthrift Farm. The colt is the first of Hall of Fame inductee Beholder’s foals to be offered at public auction. Beholder’s most accomplished runner to date is this year’s Senorita S. (G3) winner Teena Ella (War Front). By Curlin, sire of three Eclipse Award champions in 2022, and out of the incomparable racemare Beholder, the blue-blooded colt hails from the immediate family of four-time leading sire Into Mischief, Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady, and Grade 1 winner and sire Mendelssohn. The price reflected the rarity of the offering, matching the third highest price ever realized at The Saratoga Sale, and the most expensive since 2000.

“We’ve experienced some magical nights in Saratoga in the past and you’ve heard me talk about the Saratoga magic,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “But we ain’t seen nothing like tonight… (This is) what happens when you have the opportunity to sell exceptional physical horses that have outstanding pedigrees to an unbelievable group of buyers that love coming to Saratoga.”

In addition to the sale topper, seven other yearlings sold for seven figures during Tuesday’s session, including:

• Hip 228, a colt by Into Mischief sold for $3,200,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing, from the consignment of Indian Creek, agent (video). The bay colt is the first foal out of the American Pharoah mare All American Dream, from the immediate family of Grade 1 winners Dream Supreme and Majestic Warrior. Hip 228 was bred in Kentucky by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, LLC.
• Hip 135, a colt by Into Mischief sold for $1,500,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. The bay colt is out of Grade 1 winner Rachel’s Valentina (Bernardini), daughter of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Hip 135 was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
• Hip 129, a colt by Tapit sold for $1,200,000 to Whisper Hill Farm LLC from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. The chestnut colt is out of the winning Tiznow mare Plenty O’Toole, whose three winners to date include multiple graded stakes winner Mr. Money (Goldencents). The immediate family includes Grade/Group 1 winners Well Armed, Cyberknife, and American Patriot.
• Hip 123, a Tapit colt sold for $1,100,000 to Mike Ryan, agent, from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. The dark bay or brown colt is out of Grade 1 winner Paola Queen (Flatter), from the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Point Ashley. Hip 123 was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation.
• Hip 140, a colt by Twirling Candy sold for $1,000,000 to Chuck Sonson & West Point, L.E.B., agent, from the consignment of Lane’s End, agent. The colt is out of Rehearsed, a Tapit half-sister to Grade 1 winner Mani Bhavan and Grade 2 winner Hear the Ghost and a full sister to Grade 1 placed stakes winner Closing Bell. Hip 140 was bred in Kentucky by W. S. Farish.
• Hip 194, a filly by Gun Runner sold for $1,000,000 to Randy Gullat, agent for Jack Pot Farm, Whispering Oaks, and Rick Ortyl from the consignment of Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent. The chestnut filly is a half-sister to six foals from as many to race out of the winning Tapit mare Temptress, including Grade 2 winning millionaire Tenfold (Curlin).
• Hip 208, an Into Mischief colt sold for $1,000,000 to CHC Inc, Siena Farm, & Maverick Racing from the consignment of St George Sales, agent. The chestnut colt is the second foal out of the Grade 2 placed Distorted Humor mare Virginia Key, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Grace Adler, from the immediate family of Bullsbay. Hip 208 was bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm.

“It was just phenomenal,” added Browning. “It was really rewarding to see people send their very best horses here and trust us and then have the results and the success they had tonight.”

Overall, 153 yearlings sold for a sale record $74,780,000, up 11.7% from the previous record of $66,955,000 set last year. The average of $488,758 eclipsed by 4.4% the record set last year of $468,217. The median tied last year’s record of $375,000. Ten yearlings sold for $1,000,000 or more over the course of the two nights.

A share in leading young sire Not This Time was offered prior to the first yearling of the second session, selling for $2,000,000. The hammer price is not reflected in the yearling sale results.

Full results are available online.