A strapping Medaglia d'Oro colt became the highest-priced horse sold so far during the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale when he brought $450,000 in the middle of the afternoon July 13 in Lexington. His new owner is Dubai’s Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, who stands the gray/roan yearling’s sire at his Darley operation in Central Kentucky.
Dick O’Gorman signed the sale ticket for Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager John Ferguson, and Darley director Joe Osborne spoke about the Kentucky-bred colt to the media.
“John had to catch a plane, but he really liked the Medaglia d’Oro colt; he thought he was one of the best-looking yearlings in the sale,” Osborne said. “He (the colt) is correct, has a good attitude, and he showed very well. He (Ferguson) saw him a couple of times (before the yearling arrived on the sale grounds) and just liked him all the way through. He has a good pedigree. He’ll be moved to (Darley's) Raceland Farm (in Kentucky) and Sheikh Mohammed will decide where he’s going to go (to race).”
Produced from the winning Gray Slewpy mare Beright, the yearling is a half-brother to 2006 Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) winner Principle Secret (by Sea of Secrets).
Meg Levy’s Bluewater Sales consigned the colt for his breeder, Southern Equine Stables.