The first foal out of multiple grade I winner Balance started the fireworks at the first select session of the Keeneland September Yearling sale Sept. 12, selling for $4.2 million to Benjamin Leon of Besilu Stables. The big bay colt by A.P. Indy attracted a bidding battle that lasted seven and half minutes. The immediate underbidder was John Magnier, managing partner for Coolmore Stud in Ireland. The colt was consigned by Mill Ridge Farm on behalf of breeders John and Jerry Amerman.
Leon bought the sale-topper during the second night of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling sale, a $1.2 million robust bay colt by A.P. Indy. The colt was also the first foal out of Maryfield (by Elusive Quality ), 2007’s champion female sprinter.
A Miami businessman and founder of Leon Medical Centers, Leon owns a 600-plus acre farm near near Orange Lake, Fla., north of Ocala. The farm formerly made up David Hutson's Silverleaf Farm.
Read more in the September 12 sales wrap.