After signing the ticket for the Exceed And Excel colt out of Mirror Mirror on day one, the Hong Kong Jockey Club once again took a liking to the progeny of the Darley stallions, having lot 261, a colt by Champion three-year-old Bernardini knocked down to them for $360,000.
Out of an unraced half-sister to triple G1 winner Divine Madonna and the G3-winning, G1-performed Blessum, the colt is the highest-priced yearling by his sire sold so far this year in the southern hemisphere. Bernardini enjoyed a very good day at the sales on day two, with not only lot 261 selling extremely well, but so did lots 229 and 320, which sold for $235,000 and $180,000 respectively.
First-season sire New Approach has had two yearlings sell so far, with the top-price being paid for lot 310, a chestnut colt out of the Irish-bred Flying Spur mare Sizzie ‘Em. A half-sister to the Stakes performed Galileo mare Miss With Attitude, the colt was bred by South Australian stud Mill Park, who also bred and sold the above mention lot 261.
Another first-season sire who has gotten away to a stellar start was Champion European three-year-old Authorized, whose lone offering to date was knocked down to Anthony Cummings Thoroughbreds for $110,000. Out of the Danehill mare Spire, this colt received a significant pedigree update a few weeks back when his half-brother Under The Eiffel broke through for victory in the G3 Sandown Stakes.
Another significant point of interest is to note the Asian market's affinity with the progeny of the Darley stallions, purchasing six of the top 10 lots by Darley stallions; five for Hong Kong and one for Singapore.
The sale continues on Friday.
