A bay colt by Bernardini became the new sale topper at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training when he was bought for $1.6 million by prominent New York owner Robert LaPenta.
Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, agent, as Hip No. 131, he was bred in Kentucky by Masaichiro Abe.
The $1.6 million colt is the first offspring produced by the Forestry mare Hishi Aspen, a $300,000-plus earner in Japan during her race career. Hishi Aspen's other foal is a yearling Corinthian filly.
During his first trip through the auction ring, the Bernardini colt was acquired for $250,000 by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale from Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
He is the second big pinhook of the day for Hartley/De Renzo, which earlier sold a Smart Strike filly for $700,000 to Nat Rea's Regis Farms.
English group II winner Northern Aspen (by Northern Dancer), is the $1.6 million colt's third dam. His fourth dam, grade I winner, Fall Aspen (by Pretense), was named the 1994 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Among her best offspring are grade/group I victors Northern Aspen, Elle Seule, Hamas, Fort Wood, and Timber Country (1994 U.S. champion 2-year-old male).
