TAPIT continues to show his “leading sire” status at Keeneland September, having just sired his 31st million-dollar yearling.
His colt out of Grade 1-winning Tara’s Tango brought a whopping $2 million during Session 2 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the highest-priced yearling sold so far. Bred and raised by Stonestreet Farm, this colt is out of the Grade 1 winner Tara’s Tango, who herself is by the millionaire, multiple G1-winning champion Unbridled’s Song. Tara’s Tango is a half-sister to King’s Bishop S. (G1) winner Visionaire and Providencia S. (G3) winner Scarlet Strike. The colt was consigned as Hip 435 by Eaton Sales, and purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert V. LaPenta, Gainesway Farm, and Winchell Thoroughbreds.
A daughter of Gainesway’s leading sire TAPIT, out of a Grade 1-winning Super Saver mare, brought $1.25 million during Session 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She was the highest-priced hip of the session. Bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club International, the Session 1-topping filly is out of Alabama Stakes (G1) victress Embellish the Lace, who herself is a half-sister to Travers Stakes (G1) winner Afleet Express. The filly was consigned as Hip 149 by Bluewater Sales, and purchased by Claiborne Farm, agent.
Mayberry Farm went to $850,000 for hip 417, the first foal out of multiple graded stakes winner Strike Charmer. From the immediate family of champions Gold Beauty, Sky Beauty and Horse of the Year Dayjur. The filly was consigned by Mt. Brilliant Farm.
Another standout result was hip 410, the second foal out of Breeders’ Cup champion Stopchargingmaria. The bay colt by TAPIT was consigned with Gainesway, agent, and was purchased by Yuji Hasegawa for $825,000.
In session 3, Whisper Hill Farm purchased a pair of TAPIT yearlings from the Gainesway consignment. The first, a daughter of TAPIT out of a mare by the sought-after broodmare sire Forestry was secured for $500,000. Consigned as hip 753, she is from the family of champion fillies like Flanders and Surfside, and is half to a Grade 1-placed Australian runner. The second, a colt consigned as Hip 632, is out of a full sister to Breeders’ Cup champion New Money Honey – a similar cross as Grade 1 winner Laragh – and was purchased for $410,000.