Giant's Causeway Colt Brings $1.15 Million at Barretts
In a span of less than ten minutes Monday at Barretts, a Giant's Causeway colt commanded more money than many of us will amass in decades.
That 2-year-old, Hip No. 104 (above), was the sale-topper at the Barretts March Select Sale, fetching $1.15 million after a fierce bidding war. The Kentucky-bred chestnut out of multiple stakes-winning mare Dixie Dreamer (by Mutakddim) was consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds, and he became the first horse since at least 2010 to command seven figures at the Barretts March Select Sale.
Steve Andersen of the Daily Racing Form reported the winning bidder was Demi O'Byrne of Coolmore Stud, and Coolmore was extremely busy at this 2-year-old sale. In addition to the sale-topper, the organization bought a pair of Malibu Moon offspring (Hips No. 24 and 48) for a combined $1 million.
Malibu Moon also sired the second-highest-priced horse at the sale, a filly (above) out of In the Ghetto (a half to First Samurai) that ended the sale by hammering for $950,000. Trainer Todd Pletcher, who found eventual Saratoga Special winner (and fellow Malibu Moon progeny) Corfu at this very sale last year, was in town Monday and signed for the filly as an agent.
Also making waves was trainer Patrick Biancone, who acted as an agent for Kin Hui of Diamond 100 Racing and purchased a filly (below) named Awesome Diamond for $625,000. Awesome Diamond is by Galileo out of Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Adoration, and is a full sister to a three-time winner currently running in Japan.
In total, 42 horses commanded $100,000 or more, and only three horses sold for less than $25,000. By comparison, 38 thoroughbreds brought in six figures last March, led by sale-topper Corfu, who was purchased for $675,000. The sale continued a strong stretch at Barretts for Malibu Moon, who has been represented by six 2-year-olds who fetched $200,000 or more in the last two March sales.
Auction action returns to Barretts in May with another 2-year-old sale. Entries for the event close on March 26th, and the sale will take place on Monday, May 12th.