Team Valor picked up its second big purchase of the night Aug. 5 when Barry Irwin went to $875,000 for a colt by Medaglia d'Oro out of the stakes-winning A.P. Indy mare Crystal Current at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
The dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Mike and Meg Levy’s Bluewater Sales and bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables.
Irwin purchased Medaglia d'Oro for Richard Haisfield and the colt reminded Irwin of his sire.
"I bought Medaglia d'Oro for the guy who stood him, Richard Haisfield, so I know what (Medaglia d'Oro) looks like. I've seen a lot of the offspring, I've raced a few," Irwin said. "A lot of them look like grass horses, kind of taller, rangier. This horse looks like a real American dirt horse. He's powerful. I would classify him as somewhat of a brute. I like that. He has a really good temperament."
Irwin was pleased to land the colt, who is out of Crystal Current, a full sister to grade I winner and successful second-crop sire Majestic Warrior.
"I was very happy to get him," Irwin said. "I didn't think I'd be able to get him."
A day before the sale Meg Levy noted that the Medaglia d'Oro colt was turning heads.
"He's a standout. A good-bodied horse with a great walk," Levy said. "He'll be a two-turn kind of horse.
Earlier in the evening, Irwin went to $600,000 for a filly from the last crop of Indian Charlie.