The Cry heard 'round the sale

It took a little over an hour for the fireworks to begin at Keeneland's 2012 September Yearling Sale but when they did they came in the form of a superbly-bred, May-foaled Street Cry colt. When the year began, this yearling was already a half-brother to a Graded winner, a Listed winner and a Stakes-placed winner. But then along came the late-blooming three-year-old Paynter, the impressive winner of the G1 Haskell Invitational. So when hip number 41 entered the sales ring, the colt commanded a lot of attention with a final bid of $1,000,000 to new owners Charles and Maribeth Sandford. The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Another Street Cry colt also turned some heads, the fantastic looking chestnut out of a Storm Cat full sister to multiple French G1 winner Nebraska Tornado. Consiged by Hunter Valley Farm acting as agent, Blandford Bloodstock signed the ticket for $600,000.

Hip number 107, another colt by Street Cry, commanded a final bid of $425,000 and was taken home by Ben Glass, agent. Out of the multiple G2 winner and G1-placed Justwhistledixie, the handsome bay was consigned by Clearsky Farm, agent.

Bernardini continues to impress both on the track and in the ring. Fresh off of his son Alpha winning the G1 Travers, buyers made it clear that demand remains high for the sire of the moment by going to six figures on each of his four offspring that sold. Highest-priced among this group was hip 72, a beautiful bay colt that lit up the bid board at $675,000. Shadwell Estate Company, Limited, was the buyer with Gainesway Farm acting, agent, the consignor.

The sire of Raven's Pass, Smarty Jones and 2012 G1 winner Elusive Kate also made an impression. The performance of Elusive Quality's progeny keeps his sales horses in high demand year after year and 2012 is no exception. Hip number 52 caught the eye of Juddmonte Farm who made a rare yearling purchase in taking home the colt out of champion Xtra Heat for $525,000. Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC, was the consignor.

And what would a sales overview be without the inclusion of another great-looking, well-bred offspring by Medaglia d'Oro. Such was the case with hip number 35, a representative from what has been called the best book of any stallion in history. The filly, consigned by Burleson Farms, agent, is a half-sister to G1 winner Sky Diva and Listed winner and G1-placed Quick Little Miss. Hajime Satomi signed the ticket for $475,000.