Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale: Session-topping Dynaformer filly creates fireworks

A filly from the final crop of the late Dynaformer created fireworks late in the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale Monday night, bringing the hammer down at $1,225,000 to Goncalo Torrealba’s Borges Torrealba operation.

Robert Clay signed the ticket on behalf of Torrealba, who directed the bidding by phone. The bidding on the filly, who was consigned by John Stuart’s Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, as agent, swiftly climbed to seven figures but slowed after that point, with Torrealba emerging the late victor in a cat-and-mouse game.

“It’s nice to get a Dynaformer filly,” said Clay, whose Three Chimneys Farm stood Dynaformer until his death in April 2012. “She’s a lovely Dynaformer. We’ve been looking at her for awhile on his [Torrealba's] behalf.”

Goncalo Torrealba made a major investment into Three Chimneys last fall and the Borges Torrealba venture is now a partner in the Midway, Ky., stud farm. Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consigned the filly for Brad Kelley's Calumet farm.

The filly is out of the winning A.P. Indy mare Indy Pick, the dam of two winners from four starters, including multiple graded stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Optimizer.

The filly’s second dam is the Grade 1-winning Mr. Prospector mare Fantastic Find, dam of Grade 1 winner Finder’s Fee, as well as Grade 2-placed Treasure Island. It is the family of Grade 1 winners Dancing Spree and Furlough.