Yearling sold for record $2.8m

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

A handsome chestnut colt by Traditional out of the 1994 One Thousand Guineas winner Me-lissa's Song fetched the record price of $2.8 million in the annual TOBA yearling sales held in the official car park at Caymanas Park last Sunday.

Entering the ring as Lot 143, the stripe-face yearling, foaled on February 2, 2008, was purchased by Trinidadian owner Merlin Samlalsingh and, according to reports, will race in Trinidad.

Bred by HAM Stables Limited, the colt attracted an opening bid of $1 million and some spirited bidding followed. In the end, Samlalsingh prevailed, the yearling just managing to break the previous record of $.2.7 million.

Purchase price

This was set last year when a bay colt by Image Maker out of De Barrel Come, bred by Agryll Farms, was purchased by noted Bardadian owner Elias Haloute for $2.7 million.

Earlier in the day, the record was equalled by a chestnut colt by Region Of Merit out of OK Mom (Lot 71). He was purchased by his breeder Patrick Smellie, who happens to be the owner/breeder of this year's Derby and Governor's Cup (Lotto Classic) winner HE'S REALLY OK, who is also out of OK Mom.

In all, four yearlings fetched prices in excess of $2 million. The others were Lot 125, a lovely looking chestnut filly (blaze face) by Saint Appeal out of Fullyloaded, bred by Derrick Brandt, sold to Peter Lawson for $2.2 million, and Lot 140, a well-grown bay filly by Traditional out of Economic Sensation, bred by HAM Stables, sold for $2.1 million.

Outside of the $2 million purchases, as many as 25 yearlings were sold for $1 to $2 million.