Freshman Sires Bolt d'Oro, Justify Strike at The Gulfstream Sale

Fasig-Tipton's Gulfstream Sale was held in the sunny paddock at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday. A catalogue of selected two-year-olds in training yielded a bevy of fireworks, including competitive bidding on a record-setting filly from the first crop of Bolt d'Oro and a regally-bred colt from the first crop of Justify.

A filly from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro sold for $1,200,000 to Spendthrift Farm to top the sale (video). Tom McCrocklin, agent, consigned the sale topper as Hip 48. The filly is a half-sister to four winners from as many to race out of the winning Not For Love mare Rich Love. She hails from the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Bounding Basque. Hip 48 worked a quarter of a mile in 20.1 during Monday's under tack show (video), the fastest quarter posted at the sale since its move to Gulfstream Park in 2015.

"I was pleased with the group of buyers that was in attendance and the level of activity," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.

Triple Crown champion and freshman sire Justify was responsible for the sale's top colt, which sold for $1,100,000 to J. McCalmont, agent for M.V. Magnier from the consignment of Wavertree Stables, agent (video). Consigned as Hip 84, the bay colt is out of Grade 1 winner Appealing Zophie (Successful Appeal), making him a half-brother to six winners, including Belmont S. (G1) and Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tapwrit (Tapit); Grade 2 winner and multiple graded stakes winner Ride A Comet (Candy Ride-ARG); and stakes winner and graded stakes placed Inject (Frosted). Hip 84 worked an eighth in 10.0 during the under tack show (video).

A quartet of colts rounded out the top five prices, including:

• Hip 88, a colt by Medaglia d'Oro, sold for $900,000 to West Point & Lane's End from the consignment of Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds, agent (video). The dark bay or brown colt is out Baffled (Distorted Humor), making him a half-brother to Florida Derby (G1) and Donn H. (G1) winner Constitution (Tapit), who is a graduate of the 2013 Florida Sale. Hip 88 worked an eighth in 10.0 (video).
• Hip 21, a colt by Uncle Mo, sold for $800,000 to Spendthrift Farm from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin, agent (video). The bay colt is the second foal out graded stakes placed winner Lady Tapit (Tapit), herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Gozzip Girl. Hip 21 worked a quarter in 20.3 (video)
• Hip 62, a colt by inaugural Gulfstream Sale grad Nyquist, sold for $700,000 to Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing from the consignment of Classic Bloodstock, agent. The bay colt is out of the winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Soul Crusader, whose three winners from as many to race include stakes placed There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge). The immediate family includes Grade 1 winners Killer Graces and Killer Ability. Hip 62 worked an eighth in 9.4 (video)
• Hip 64, a colt by Runhappy, sold for $700,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Frank Fletcher Racing Operation from the consignment of Niall Brennan Stables, agent. The bay colt is out of graded stakes winner Sue's Good News (Woodman), making him a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and stakes producer Tiz Miz Sue (Tiznow) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victor Bulletin (City Zip). The immediate family includes Grade/Group 1 winners Serape, Hawkbill, and Free Drop Billy. Hip 54 worked an eighth in 10.1 (video).

"Overall, the market was very similar to what we experienced in 2021," added Browning. "I think if we could lock in this market across the Thoroughbred industry through the rest of (the year), we would all say, 'Yes.'"

In total, 35 two-year-olds sold for $13,155,000. The average was $375,857, on par with last year's average of $378,507. The median was identical to 2021 at $300,000. Eighteen horses sold for $300,000 or more, including eight sold exceeding $500,000.

Full results are available online.