A Street Cry (IRE) colt brought the first seven-figure price during the first session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale Aug. 6 when he brought a final bid of $1.2 million from Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock agent John Ferguson. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Farm, he went through the ring as Hip No. 80.
The bay colt is out of the grade II-winning A.P. Indy mare Serenading, who was raced by Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura in partnership. On the track, she captured three stakes, including the 2009 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) and retired with earnings of more than $500,000. The Street Cry colt was bred in Kentucky by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and N.E.T.P.
A daughter of stakes winner Daijin (by Deputy Minister), Serenading is a full sister to stakes winner Handpainted (by A.P. Indy), and a half sister to Speed Succeeds (by Gone West), who is the dam of millionaire Brilliant Speed, winner of the 2011 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).
The Street Cry colt's third dam is Passing Mood (by Buckpasser), who was named Canadian Broodmare of the Year after producing Canadian Horse of the Year and Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Touch Gold, and the aforementioned Daijin.
A few hips later, a son of Empire Maker who is a full brother to grade I-winning millionaire Mushka brought a final bid of $1.1 million. Consigned by Craig and Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud as Hip No. 91, he was purchased by Stonestreet Farm and George Bolton.
Mushka, who scored her big win in the 2009 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I), commanded a price of $2.4 million at the 2008 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
The $1.1 million Empire Maker colt, bred in Kentucky by Diane and Guy Snowden, is out of the stakes-winning Seeking the Gold mare Sluice. His second dam is four-time grade I winner Lakeway (by Seattle Slew). He is also from the family of grade I winners Saratoga Six, Dunbeath, Giant Ryan, and champion Grand Adventure.
Earlier, a Tapit filly fetched $500,000 from Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation. Consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent as Hip No. 72, she is out of the Saint Ballado mare Saintlike.
The $500,000 filly, bred in Kentucky by James Miller, is a half sister to stakes winner Heart of a King (by Lion Heart) and stakes-placed runner Nocknonheavensgate (by Grand Reward).
The striking gray/roan's second dam, Lady Lodger, is a grade III winner. Another prominent family member is German and Italian champion Caitano, also a group I winner.