Keeneland September: Distorted Humor colt takes over sale lead on Day 2

By Joe Nevills and Nicole Russo

A colt by Distorted Humor sold for $1,525,000, with Goncalo Torrealba of Three Chimneys Farm signing the ticket, to take over as the sale leader early on the second day of the Keeneland September yearling sale, Tuesday in Lexington, Ky.

The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales, as agent for his breeder, Stonestreet Farm. His purchase price surpassed the $1.45 million paid for a War Front filly during Monday's opening session as the top price of the sale thus far.

"We liked the pedigree, the looks, everything, and hopefully he'll be our next stallion," said Torrealba of the purchase, adding that he hopes to campaign the colt in partnership with Stonestreet. "We're discussing everything, but we think that's how it's going to be. ... Three Chimneys is all about trying to build good partnerships, so we always go in with the idea of a partnership. Partnering with good people is what we're all about. [Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke] doesn't get any better than that. We're very excited."

For her part, Banke has moved to purchase and campaign several colts in partnership in recent years.

"I went through the barn and I kept four fillies," Banke said. "I don't like partners on fillies because they're going to go to the broodmare band, but I tend to try and sell the colts and try to stay in. I think Torrealba said I could stay in on some of this horse, so that's basically it. This one is one I'd be happy to own."

The colt is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Forest Music, whose 11 stakes wins or placings included scores in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap and Grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes. She was also multiple Grade 1-placed. Forest Music is now the dam of two winners from as many starters, led by Kentuckian, winner of the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrerra Stakes. Maclean’s Music, a full brother to this seven-figure colt, won his only career start by 7 ¼ lengths with a Beyer Speed Figure of 114. He is now a well-regarded first-year yearling sire.

"I love this colt. I love the mare," Banke said. "I have a painting of her in my dining room, and she gets runners. She was super fast, she raced every two weeks going around the country. [This colt] looks like a runner, acts like a runner. He worked hard every day and does everything right."

Out of the stakes-winning Gone West mare Defer West, Forest Music is a half-sister to stakes winner Shooter and stakes producer Wonderously. It is the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Mining.