A third yearling by Quality Road crashed through the $1 million mark at the Sept. 12 Keeneland September Yearling Sale when Hip 176 brought a final bid of $1.15 million from John Bellinger's BC Stables through trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
BC Stables, which is comprised of John Bellinger and Brian Coelho, enjoyed success this summer with Lukas with 2-year-old runners Summer Promise and Bourbon Bash . Summer Promise, a daughter of Uncle Mo , graduated in her debut at Churchill Downs in June before placing second in the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course while the City of Light colt Bourbon Bash scored by eight lengths in maiden special company at the Spa.
“The partnership with Wayne (Lukas) has been a joy," Bellinger said. "We’ve learned a lot with him.”
Hip 176, bred by WinStar Farm in Kentucky, is out of the stakes-placed Dixie Union mare Checkupfromzneckup, the dam of two winners from two foals to race. Among her winners is the Speightstown filly Carribean Caper , who took down last year's Dogwood Stakes (G3) and Runhappy Audubon Oaks. She has earned $354,595 from six starts to date.
"(Hip 176 has a) great physique and positive attitude to him," Bellinger said. "We liked the pedigree on him. He was one of our top picks today."
Earlier in the session, BC Stables landed another Quality Road yearling for $800,000. The filly, consigned as Hip 80 by Baccari Bloodstock, is a half sister to grade 1 winner Salty .
Bellinger indicated that both of the day's purchases would be sent to Lukas to train.