Bernardini filly sells for $650K at opening session of F-T Midlantic juvenile sale

A $650,000 filly from final crop of Bernardini led the way as the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-olds in training sale opened on Monday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

Fasig-Tipton reported that 142 horses sold in Monday's first of two sessions for gross receipts of $13,162,000. In last year's opening session, 161 horses sold for $16,975,000.

Monday's average price was $92,690, down 12 percent from $105,435 in the corresponding session last year. The median dropped 19 percent, to $48,500, from $60,000. The buyback rate was 26 percent, compared to 17 percent last year.

While this session did post session-to-session declines in gross, average, median, and clearance rate, in context, the 2023 sale did finish with top-three figures in gross, average, and buyback rate, and a sale-record-tying median

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Additionally, both colts who led last week's under-tack preview show, each working a furlong in a rare 9 4/5 seconds, sell in tomorrow's second and final session, which may help the auction close well.

First, however, the Bernardini filly took her star turn in the opening session, selling for $650,000 to bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz, representing KAS Stables. Although that outfit is Saudi Arabian-based, Lanz indicated the filly will, at least initially, head to trainer Bill Mott's Saratoga barn.

“I can only thank life for allowing me to do what I like, and having the support of great clients who trust us and fight for [the horses] we all like,” Lanz said of the purchase in a social media post. “They are the ones who deserve all the recognition. I wish [KAS] the best of luck with this filly.”

The filly is one of 100 2-year-olds in the final crop of Bernardini, a champion and successful sire who is making a strong mark as a broodmare sire - adding to this daughter's residual value. This filly, one of four offspring by her sire at Fasig Midlantic, breezed a furlong in 10 seconds flat on the dirt track at Timonium, a strong time that tied her for the second-best furlong.

The filly, bred in Kentucky by Gary Broad's Walmac Farm, was consigned to last fall's Keeneland September yearling sale, but was a $200,000 buyback. She was consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services, as agent, at Fasig-Tipton.

The filly is out of the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Rubies Are Red, who has one winner from two starters. The mare is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and leading sire Tapit; to stakes-placed Overandabeauty, dam of stakes winner Noble and a Beauty; and to unraced Home From Oz, dam of Grade 2 winner Madefromlucky and stakes-placed A Shin Gold. Champions Rubiano and Summer Bird appear on the catalog page.

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