Gun Runner was the star stallion of Monday’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, with four yearlings fetching at least $1 million and six total selling for an incredible average of $1.34 million.
Leading the way was hip No. 78, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and purchased by Wesley Ward, agent for $2.3 million.
The colt was bred by Three Chimneys Farm, who bought back into the colt after the sale.
“Three Chimneys is going to take half the horse,” Ward said. “We’re going to put our partnership together for the other half.”
“That colt has been a star from day one and a farm favorite, all the grooms, managers, everybody liked the horse,” Three Chimneys’ Doug Cauthen said. “And he came up here and really showed himself very well. The sales company, the consignors all did a great job and we expected him to bring in that realm.”
The colt is out of 2015 Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Shook Up, who is also the dam of the stakes-winning and multiple graded-placed King Ottoman.
Hip No. 113 sold at the very end of the session for $1.9 million, with MV Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm securing the chestnut colt from the Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services LLC consignment. This colt was bred by Newtownanner Stud Farm.
“He obviously has an extremely good pedigree,” said Hanzly Albina. “He’s a 3/4 brother to a Grade I-winning filly and he is by the best dirt sire in the world. And he’s a specimen that, in the best sale of the finest horses in the year, stood out.
Out of SW Toni Tools (Roaring Fever), the colt is a half-brother to Alcibiades S. (G1) winner and millionaire Candied.
The Saratoga sale concludes Tuesday evening. Gun Runner has an even dozen lots in today’s catalogue.
