Bernardini and Curlin fillies top Keeneland September Day 1

It turned out to be ladies day yesterday as the 71st Keeneland September Yearling Sale got underway. A strong opening day of purchases at the premiere sale, which saw increases in both average and median prices, was highlighted by a pair of impressive yearling fillies both topped the $1 million mark.

The highest price, on a day that saw a dozen horses sold for half a million or more, went for Hip 105 at $1.2 million. Bred in Pennsylvania by Brushwood Stable and consigned by Eaton Sales, the good looking filly is a daughter of the Champion Three-year-old of 2006, Bernardini, and out of the young Empire Maker mare, Mushka.

In the fall of 2009, Mushka became a Grade 1 winner in Keeneland’s Juddmonte Spinster, before finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff less than four weeks later. Promising the ability to get a distance, as a daughter of Bernardini and Mushka, the bay filly is the granddaughter of two Belmont Stakes winners in A.P. Indy and Empire Maker. Winning bidder for the $1.2 million filly was John Ferguson, on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“This filly looks very much like (Mushka), but not only that, she goes back to a lovely family,” said Ferguson. “From the point of view of always looking for nice young mares, she’s going to make a lovely racehorse.”

Earlier in the afternoon, the day’s second biggest hammer fell for a half-sister to the 2012 Champion Juvenile Filly, and 2013 Champion Three-year-old Filly, Beholder. John and Leslie Malone of Bridlewood Farm shelled out $1.1 million for the bay daughter of the hot young sire, Curlin.

Bred by Clarkland Farm, Hip 29 is a daughter of the stakes winning Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek. Besides Beholder, the former finalist for broodmare of the year also produced Into Mischief, a lightly raced Grade 1 winner, and successful young sire.

The $1.1 million filly is part of the fifth crop of the two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin. Currently the leading third-crop sire in the nation, Curlin is represented by ten stakes winners this year, most notably the winner of the Belmont Stakes and Met Mile, Palace Malice.  

More quality sales action from the September Sale at Keeneland continues through Sunday, September 21. The entire sale can be viewed live at Keeneland.com, and begins again today at noon ET.