Fasig-Tipton Saratoga: Tapit colt sells for $1.2 million

By Joe Nevills and Nicole Russo

A colt by reigning leading sire Tapit and out of a Grade 1 winner capitalized on his royal lineage to become the first seven-figure horse of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale, going for $1.2 million to the partnership of Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta.

The colt, who was consigned by Craig and Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud, as agent, is out of the Successful Appeal mare Appealing Zophie. The mare's biggest victory came in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes as a juvenile; she went on to capture the Grade 3 Silverbulletday Stakes the following season. She is the dam of two winners from three starters to date.

"He had everything we're looking for," Bridlewood general manager George Isaacs said. "He looks fast. He's certainly by the number one stallion in North America, out of a great mare that could really run. He looks precocious. He obviously has plenty of pedigree.

"We knew we were going to have to bid big, so we partnered up with guys that we're doing business with," Isaacs continued. "Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners sends horses to Bridlewood to break and train, Robert LaPenta sends his horses to Bridlewood to break and train. It seemed like a nice, easy partnership. We're excited. Let's just hope we get lucky."

Tapit, who stands at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky., established a single-season progeny earnings record in 2014. That record-setting season was fueled by Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Untapable, and Belmont Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Tonalist. Tapit currently leads the 2015 sire standings. His commercial popularity has skyrocketed accordingly; he sired a pair of seven-figure yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last year, and four at the Keeneland September sale.

“He’s the only Tapit in the sale out of a Grade 1 stakes winner, Appealing Zophie, who won the Spinaway,” noted Craig Bandoroff of Denali Stud.