Bernardini tops Keeneland April Sale

Colt by the freshman sire sells for $625,000; Nadeem makes a positive start at the Inglis Easter Sale.

Bernardini, undoubtedly the star of the sales ring in the US in recent months, was responsible for the highest-priced juvenile at the Keeneland April Sale on Monday when his colt out of Moonlight Sonata sold for US$625,000 ($677,000).

Offered by Bill Helmbrecht on behalf of breeder Woodbridge Bloodstock, the colt was bought by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and is a half-brother to G2 winner Beethoven.

Bernardini is currently leading sire of two-year-olds at the sales by median and is also second in the general sires’ table by average.

Closer to home, the first day of the Inglis Easter Sale saw further success for first-season sire Nadeem, who averaged a healthy $80,000 with a top price of $120,000 for his colt out of Mascara Magic. The dam has already produced three winners including two Black type performers and is herself a half-sister to Citirecruit.

The sale continues today.