Bernardini, Medaglia d'Oro make mark as broodmare sires
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Bernardini and Medaglia d’Oro have both emerged as standout filly sires of the past decade. It stands to reason that the pair, both based at Darley’s Kentucky farm, would be poised in turn to become standout broodmare sires. Buyers put stock in those genes at the Keeneland September sale, as each was represented by two daughters with yearlings among the top 20 prices.
Bernardini’s first crop included Theyskens’ Theory, a Group 3 winner as a juvenile and multiple Grade 1/Group 1 placed on her career. Now a young broodmare, she was represented by a $1.2 million War Front colt sold to Shadwell. Bernardini’s daughter Oblige, the dam of this summer’s Grade 2 Bowling Green winner Hunter O’Riley, had her Will Take Charge yearling rank among the top prices, going for $975,000 to Willis Horton.
Bernardini is enjoying a solid year as a broodmare sire. In addition to Hunter O’Riley, his representatives on the track in that category this year alone include Grade 3 winner Catholic Boy, Group 1-placed stakes winner Arabian Hope, and multiple graded-placed stakes winner Mopotism.
Medaglia d’Oro’s Grade 1-placed daughter Miss Besilu, a half-sister to Horse of the Year Saint Liam, accounted for the second-highest price of the sale, as her Tapit colt sold for $2.6 million to Mandy Pope. Medaglia d’Oro’s Grade 3-winning daughter Devil By Design produced a Speightstown colt sold for $900,000 to Shadwell.
Medaglia d’Oro also is off to a solid start as a broodmare sire, despite some poor luck. His Hall of Fame daughter Rachel Alexandra produced just two foals before her broodmare career was curtailed due to foaling complications. Both her now-retired offspring won, led by Grade 1 winner Rachel’s Valentina. Renda produced the late multiple Grade 1 winner Rock Fall. Medaglia d’Oro was represented by his third graded winner as a broodmare sire over the summer when Dream It Is took the Schuylerville at Saratoga, but she subsequently went to the sidelines with a wrenched ankle.