Bernardini Filly Tops Inaugural Santa Anita Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale

The inaugural Santa Anita Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale was held Wednesday afternoon in the track’s historical walking ring.

A Bernardini filly (Hip 45) topped the sale when sold for $420,000 early in the afternoon. Consigned by Kings Equine, agent, the bay filly was purchased by Donati Lanni, agent for Sarah Kelly off a 10.1 work during Monday’s under tack show. By the sire of top fillies Cavorting, Dame Dorothy, and Rachel’s Valentina, Hip 45 is out of the winning Dansili mare Elbe (GB), from the immediate family of Group 1 winners Mutual Trust (GB) and All At Sea.

Freshman sire Tapiture had the sale’s top colt (Hip 12), which sold for $350,000 to Phoenix Thoroughbreds from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin, agent. The chestnut colt worked a quarter in 21.1 during the under tack show.  From the first crop of a multiple Grade 2 winner, the top colt is a half-brother to two winners, including multiple stakes winner The Money Monster.

“There were a lot of bright spots and there are some things that we learned as well,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning “We were able to sell several horses for six figures, with a sales topper of $420,000. I think some people from Florida who brought quality horses out here were rewarded and I think some of the traditional California-based consignors hopefully gained some confidence and realized this thing will work and will continue to work going forward.”

In total, 69 juveniles sold for $3,769,500, good for an average of $54,630 and a median of $30,000. Ten horses sold for $100,000 or more.

The leading consignor was Kings Equine, with six sold for $1,190,000, including the sale topper. California-based Checkmate Thoroughbreds was the second leading consignor, with 12 sold for $493,500. Tom McCrocklin came in third among consignors, with seven sold for $469,500, including the top colt.

The top three buyers were Sarah Kelly (Donato Lanni, agent), who purchased the $420,000 sale topper; Sand Ridge Stables, which purchased two juveniles for $370,000; and Phoenix Thoroughbred, buyer of the $350,000 top colt.

“I thought overall the horses sold fairly and reasonably well,” added Browning. “I thought there was a wide group of buyers at various price ranges and I think hopefully we established a foundation that will provide some confidence for participants in the California marketplace.”

Full results are available online.