Peter Blum admitted to being "disappointed" with initial prices of the horses he bred that went through the ring Sept. 13 on the second day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. None of his first three cracked the million-dollar threshold, not even Hip 247, an $800,000 full brother to 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic .
But Blum broke into seven-figure territory mid-afternoon when Hip 328—an Into Mischief colt named Imagination—commanded a $1.05 million final bid from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, representing the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables—the same trio, along with other partners, that raced Authentic with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
"It's especially rewarding to see this horse go to (them)," Blum said.
For the aforementioned partners, Lanni acquired three other colts Tuesday. They included Hip 241 (Into Mischief) for $800,000, Hip 330 (Curlin ) for $350,000, Hip 335 (Into Mischief) for $450,000.
Bridie Harrison consigned all of Blum's horses that sold Tuesday. All were priced to sell, including Hip 328, who is out of 2012 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) winner Magical Feeling (Empire Maker). The dam's produce includes stakes winner Exulting and Magical , both by Tapit.
"There were a few I felt we should have had higher reserves on, but in the end, the objective is to sell everything," he said. "If you put reserves that aren't realistic and you buy back half of them, people think you don't want to sell."