$1.45 Million Weanling from Aussie Mare

Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency achieved notable results during the second session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale selling two weanlings from mares purchased in Australia at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale highlighted by the top priced weanling of the sale.

Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consigned Lot 408, a War Front colt out of royally bred Encosta de Lago mare Drifting Cube that sold for $1.45 million to M.V. Magnier. (Watch him sell here, he looks just as he should!)

"We have had a lot of success with the family in the past," Magnier said. "Rubick (a Group 2 winner by Encosta de Lago) was one of the fastest 2-year olds of his crop down there and I think the second time he ran was one of the best in history down there. Hopefully this colt will compare. I thought he was a very good mover, he has a lot of quality. Let's hope that he keeps on improving."

Drifting Cube was bought by James Harron Bloodstock/ Hill 'n' Dale Farm for $1.1 million at the Magic Millions Teeley Assets Dispersal in 2014 and this colt is her first foal for her new owners.

A grand-daughter of Shantha's Choice, Drifting Cube is a full sister to Rubick and of course comes from the family of champion sire Redoute's Choice and Group I winners Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors.

James Harron Bloodstock/ Hill 'n' Dale Farm also purchased Taste of Heaven from the Teeley Assets Dispersal for $1.5 million. Closely related to Drifting Cube, she is also by Encosta de Lago and is from Shantha's Choice.

Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency sold her first foal, a filly by Medaglia D'Oro asLot 321 with Blue Sky Bloodstock / Aquis Farm the buyer at $525,000.

Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura was justifiably thrilled with the results from his foray into the Australian bloodstock market.

"It's very fulfilling because I went to Australia and bought two mares and they were very expensive and I felt like a fish out of water," Sikura told US Bloodhorse.

"It was Southern Hemisphere and the pedigrees I bid on weren't familiar. I took a deep breath and bought two really expensive maiden fillies from one of the best families in Australia. The Medaglia d'Oro filly sold well and this colt sold fantastic, he's a beautiful horse.

"When I got home, everyone wondered if I had lost my mind ... but it worked out well. Hopefully the Australians will be more bullish about being active in our market seeing that their pedigrees sell well here."