Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage got busy early during opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale in upstate New York Aug. 8. The ruler of Dubai purchased Hip No. 6, a $750,000 Bernardini colt, and Hip No. 10, a $600,000 Bernardini filly.
Both yearlings were consigned by Gerry Dilger’s Dromoland Farm, agent. A homebred who raced for Sheikh Mohammed, Bernardini captured the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and was a champion. He stands in Kentucky at Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation.
“Well obviously, as you know, Bernardini has had a fantastic start to stud and they’re two very nice Bernardinis,” said Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock manager, John Ferguson said. “The colt is an exceptionally athletic horse, and he’s a particular favorite of Sheikh Mohammed’s; we’re delighted to have him. The filly looked very much like a filly we have in Newmarket, Gamilati (by Bernardini), who won the (Irish Thoroughbred Marketing) Cherry Hinton Stakes (Eng-II). She has a very similar shape. She’s very athletic and she’s a half sister to a group I winner (A. P. Adventure, by Bernardini’s sire A.P. Indy), so she had a lot going for her.”
Bred in Kentucky by Bloodstock Holdings, the Bernardini colt was purchased for $170,000 by Summit High Equine at this year’s Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. The sturdy dark bay or brown yearling is out of the added-money winner Mountain Mambo (by Mt. Livermore).
The Bernardini filly was bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum Thoroughbreds and she was produced from the Fappiano mare Nataliano. In addition to being closely related to A. P. Adventure, the bay yearling is a half sister to another added-money winner, Platinum (by Mineshaft ).
Read the overview of day one of the Saratoga sale.