Godolphin-bred son of Bernardini sells for $600,000

The Keeneland September yearling sale is the latest location where Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum’s Godolphin operation is working to cut back some of its massive worldwide bloodstock holdings.

Godolphin consigned a total of 65 yearlings to Keeneland September, prior to outs, mainly spread amongst consignors Taylor Made, Bluewater Sales, Brookdale, and Blandford Stud. The operation had already sold 72 horses at the Tattersalls July sale in England and 33 fillies and mares at Australia’s Inglis sale of broodmares and weanlings in May.

The most expensive Godolphin-bred horse to emerge at Keeneland September thus far is a son of homebred champion and Darley stallion Bernardini, sold for $600,000 to Ben Glass as agent for owners Gary and Mary West during Book 3. Taylor Made consigned, as agent.

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The colt, out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare With Sugar On Top, is bred on similar crosses to two well-known Godolphin runners. With Sugar On Top is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Frosted, who is bred on a similar A.P. Indy-line cross as the Bernardini colt. The extended family includes juvenile champion Midshipman, by Unbridled’s Song.

“He was a nice colt,” Glass said. “I know they're selling some of their yearlings because they have too many. Normally, they don't sell them and you don’t get a chance to buy them, so you’ve got to try to take the opportunity when it happens.”

Godolphin had four yearlings sold during the select Book 1 portion of Keeneland September, with the top price a $150,000 filly from the final crop of Street Cry, sold for Winter Quarter Farm, agent. Brookdale consigned the filly, whose second dam is Grade 1 winner Sugar Shake, dam of Kentucky Oaks runner-up Shook Up.