A.P. Indy-Azeri colt sells for $1.9 million at Keeneland

Vallenzeri is going to Bob Baffert (Photo by Z/Keeneland Association) Just seven months after RNA'ing for a world Thoroughbred auction record of $7.7 million, VALLENZERI, the colt by A.P. Indy out of Horse of the Year Azeri (Jade Hunter), sold for $1.9 million at Monday's opening session of the Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Trainer Bob Baffert signed the ticket on behalf of client Kaleem Shah. The chestnut colt, who sported Hip No. 22, was consigned by Eddie Woods, agent. "I am really excited to get him," Baffert said. "He's well conformed, he has a fluid way of moving, and with that type of pedigree -- by a champion and out of champion -- you have to step up to the plate and take a chance." Vallenzeri was bred by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, and Paulson's son, Michael, sent a congratulatory note following the sale to Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson and Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. "It is very exciting to have sold Vallenzeri," Russell said. "Eddie Woods consigned last year's Kentucky Derby winner (Big Brown), and he just may have sold next year's as well." The $1.9 million commanded by Vallenzeri is the highest price paid for a juvenile at public auction so far in 2009. Vallenzeri is the first foal from three-time champion Azeri, who wrapped up the Horse of the Year and champion older mare titles in 2002 after capturing the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She repeated as champion older mare in 2003 and 2004. A three-time winner of the Apple Blossom H. (G1), Azeri was twice successful in the Vanity H. (G1), Milady H. (G1) and Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2), and her resume also includes one victory apiece in the Spinster S. (G1), Go for Wand H. (G1), Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) and the Lady's Secret H. (G2). She bankrolled $4,079,820 from a 24-17-4-0 record. This is also the family of Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) hero Silic (Fr) (Sillery), French classic winners River Lady (Riverman) and Sanglamore (Sharpen Up [GB]), and multiple Group 1 victor Lydian (Fr) (Lyphard).

The Kentucky-bred Vallenzeri, a February 14 foal, was making his second

appearance in the Keeneland auction ring. He created quite a buzz at the 2008

Keeneland September Yearling Sale, but failed to reach his reserve.

At last Thursday's under tack preview, Vallenzeri worked one furlong in :10

1/5.

A full brother to Grade 3-winning sprinter Noonmark went to Steven W. Young,

agent, for $530,000. Cataloged as Hip 61, the Unbridled's Song colt hailed from

the consignment of Niall Brennan Stables, agent. He had originally brought

$160,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.

"He's by one of the hottest studs in the country right now (Unbridled's Song)

and he was training well," Young said. "I think we got a great deal for a top

prospect."

The Kentucky-bred is out of the unraced Storm Cat mare In the Storm, who is

herself a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 star and $1.3 million earner Formal

Gold (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) as well as Canadian stakes heroine Maple Lake (Varick).

Other notables in the family are multiple Grade 2 winner Even the Score (Unbridled's

Song) and current Japanese Grade 3 scorer Ferrari Pisa (Touch Gold).

The gray, who was foaled on May 12, drilled a quarter in :21 2/5 at the

preview.

Young also snapped up the session's top filly, a daughter of Touch Gold, for

$320,000. Hip 47 was produced by the winning Field of Glory (Meadowlake), a

half-sister to multiple Grade 2 queen Randaroo (Gold Case). She comes from the family of

multiple Grade 1 star and $1.3 million earner Manistique (Unbridled) and Grade 1

victress Freedom Cry (Wolf Power [SAf]).

The chestnut juvenile with a May 4 birthdate was offered by Stephens

Thoroughbreds, agent for Paragon Farm. She was led out unsold for $95,000 at

Keeneland September.

Last Thursday, the Kentucky-bred filly zipped one furlong in :10.

During Monday's session, 31 two-year-olds brought a total of $6,885,000, down

by just 3.4 percent from one year ago, when 34 sold for $7,127,000 on a Tuesday

opener. The average increased nearly 6 percent, from $209,618 to $222,097, but the

median fell 27.3 percent, from $165,000 to $120,000.

"We are very happy with tonight's session, particularly that the gross was

down only 3.4 percent," Russell said. "Two-year-old sales are performance sales.

Those horses that perform well bring good prices."

The two-day auction concludes Tuesday evening, beginning at 7 p.m. (EDT). For

results, as well as live video of the sale, log onto keeneland.com.