$3 million colt at Keeneland and more Aussie action

A son of Scat Daddy who is a half-brother to multiple champion Beholder and Grade 1 winner and sire Into Mischief sold to Coolmore's M V Magnier for $3 million at Wednesday's session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

The amount is the highest paid for a thoroughbred at any public auction aroundthe world in 2016. It is the highest paid for a yearling at the September Sale since 2010.

Breeder Clarkland Farm consigned the colt, who is out of the stakes-winning Tricky Creek mare Leslie's Lady.

"I was very surprised by the price," Fred Mitchell of Clarkland said.

"I thought he might be the highest price of the sale, but we were (just) hoping to get a million and a half. Double that is unbelievable. I thought maybe (he would bring) a million and a half or, if there was a bidding war, $2million. But not $3 million.

"He is an unbelievable individual with a great disposition and mind that you dream to have. He was an unbelievable individual from the time he was born. He had a special look in his eye from the time he was two months old.”

Mitchell said the colt had been "shown at Keeneland for 5½ days and never missed a beat in the way he moved. It was like he was on air, just striding out.”

Eaton Sales, agent, consigned a Tapit colt who is a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man and sold for$2 millionto Bridlewood Farm and Magnier.

His dam is the stakes-winning Ponche mare Ponche de Leona, who sold in foal to Distorted Humor for $775,000 at Keeneland's 2014 January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Sold for$1.9 millionto Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd. was a War Front colt consigned by Lane's End, agent. He is out of the stakes-winning A.P. Indy mare Prize Catch, a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Lead Story.

Selling to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for$1.4 millionwas a daughter of Tapit who is a half-sister to 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) third-place finisher Gun Runner. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned the filly.

Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd. paid$1.3 millionfor a War Front colt out of Grade 1 winner Love and Pride, by A.P. Indy. Four Star Sales, agent, consigned the colt, who is from the family of champion and successful sire Bernardini.

Pope also spent$1.1 millionfor a Tapit filly out of Grade 2 winner Quiet Temper. She also was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

The Australian connection of Bluesky Bloodstock and Aquis Farm were in action signing for two lots, a colt by Street Cry (Ire) from Morena (Per) for $385,000 and a colt by Uncle Mo from Miss Cha Cha for $320,000.