An impressive looking son of Storm Catfetched a final bid of $2 million from Michael Vincent Magnier of Coolmore Stud during the second session of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale Aug. 5.
The $2-million bid marked the highest price paid yet for a yearling offered during the 2008 auction.
The dark bay or brown Kentucky-bred colt was the only horse offered at the Saratoga sale by Ben Walden’s Gracefield, and was bred in partnership by Walden, Philip Steinberg, and Racehorse Management.
“The lads thought he was a very good horse, and we have supported Storm Cat for a very long time. He has been a sire of sires over here and in Europe for a long time,” said Magnier, who added it was too early to determine whether the colt would remain in the United States or would be sent to Europe. “We just loved the horse, and he has a fantastic pedigree.”
The colt was produced from the stakes winning Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky and is a half-brother to grade II winner Daydreaming, grade III winner Accelerator, and stakes winner Harborage. He is also from the family of grade I winner Bluegrass Cat.
“He was an absolute star the way he handled things,” Walden said. “He was really a pure Storm Cat from day one, and he has really evolved into a bigger Storm Cat. He looks so much like his sire and he is a true Storm Cat without some of the disposition issues.”